Famed for its traditional handicrafts, the village of Celuk can be found near Sukawati, just 12kms from the city of Depasar. A popular daytrip destination, a large number of tourists travel here each day to watch the craftsmen at work and pick up a few souvenirs to take back home.
While a number of different types of handicrafts hail from Celuk, the village is perhaps best known for its goldsmiths and silversmiths and a number of specialist shops can be found here, with many of the workshops open to visitors. One of the great things about the shops in Celuk is that jewelry can be made to order, allowing visitors to take their own designs directly to the craftsmen and walk away with a completely unique piece of jewelry.
A number of wood carvers also practice their trade in Celuk, using traditional techniques to create wayang figures and topeng masks. These items are created using traditional models and the skills required have been passed down through families for several generations.
Celuk is the well-worn route for coach tours of the area, and the village is often full of tourists all searching for that something special. However, it is also possible to travel here independently by bus, hire car or even bicycle, which allows visitors to explore at their own pace and also take in the surrounding countryside along the way.
Visitors who wish to watch craftsmen at work without having to compete for space with hordes of tourists can also visit local villages such as Guang, Batuan and Sukawati, all of which can be found just a short bicycle ride away.
Need to Know
- What is it? a traditional Balinese village famed for its silversmiths and woodcarvers
- Opening hours: 24 hours a day, daily
- Entrance fees: no entry charge
- Where: Central Bali, Indonesia
- How to get there: take a taxi from the city of Denpasar (20 minutes)