The dusty village of Pejeng is located in the Petauan River Valley, just a short drive from the vibrant city of Denpasar, making quite a contrast to the bright lights and activity of the mighty metropolis.
Pejeng’s only real attraction is the Moon of Pejeng, which draws visitors from all over Indonesia as it is believed to be sacred. Measuring almost 187cm in height and boasting a circumference of 160cm, the Moon of Pejeng kettledrum is housed in Pejeng’s Pura Penataran Asih Temple.
Pejeng’s close proximity to Denpasar makes this a good place to visit on a day trip from the city. Although rather slow and uncomfortable, buses do connect the towns and cities in this area, so it is possible to stop here for an hour or two before heading off to somewhere more interesting.
Getting There
Pejeng is best reached from Denpasar, via the large Ngurah Rai International Airport. It is just a 2-hour drive from there, and the most convenient way is by taxi straight from the airport. Buses also travel directly to Pejeng from Denpasar as well as surrounding towns and cities such as Sayan.
Need to Know
- Worth it? Only if you are in the area and really want to see the Moon of Pejeng.
- What to do: gaze at the large bronze kettledrum.
- Best time to go: during the dry season between May and September.
- How long? An hour or two is enough time to see all that Pejeng has to offer.
- Trivia: the Pejeng Moon is believed to be the largest single-cast bronze kettledrum in the world and is highly revered by the people of Bali.