The capital of Bali, Indonesia: description, name, location and attractions

Far Indonesia is considered the world's largest archipelago state. It consists of almost 18 thousand islands of different sizes, and only a third of them will welcome travelers, because the rest are completely uninhabited.

Located far from the civilization of Indonesia, megacities peacefully coexist with tiny villages, and green jungles and active volcanoes, unusually clear water and stunning beaches have long attracted tourists from all over the globe.

Heaven on earth

The island of Bali, the most popular and visited, as if embodied every man's dream of a paradise on earth. The ideal resort and the real center of all kinds of entertainment has long been considered one of the best holiday destinations. The amazing combination of picturesque nature, original culture, mysterious historical monuments beckons tourists to enjoy the unique scenery.

Fantastically beautiful island of Bali (Indonesia), detailed information that will help all travelers who are going to visit the picturesque place for the first time, is a long-mastered tourist territory.

Located to the south of the equator, it is recognized as the most beautiful place in the world. "The Island of the Gods", always flooded with sunshine, welcomes tourists all year round.

Where is Bali: Indonesia map

The symbol of Indonesia, located between Australia and India, is washed by the Balinese Sea (from the north) and the Indian Ocean (from the south). Evergreen natural masterpiece, formed as a result of volcanic activity, is adjacent to two islands of a huge archipelago - Java and Lombok.

A tourist pearl with Hindu traditions and rituals, standing out against the background of Muslim Indonesia, surprises with a memorable fabulous atmosphere.

The capital of Bali: what is it called? Jakarta and Denpasar

In the south of the tropical island is a cultural and political center - the city of Denpasar (Denpasar), which has been the capital since 1958 and represents an incredible mix of European, Chinese and Javanese culture. Unfortunately, it does not belong to the most popular tourist places.

Perhaps, that is why it is often confused with the capital of Indonesia - the most populous city of Southeast Asia. Located a few kilometers from the exotic Bali capital of Jakarta, which many mistakenly consider the administrative center of a popular resort, is located on the neighboring island of Java. The largest city of Indonesia with a population of 10 million is officially a province with the status of the capital.

So, cozy and small Denpasar is the center of Bali. The capital of which country the city of Jakarta, we figured out, and now there will be no confusion.

Modern Airport

Denpasar is a lively city, which in many guidebooks is listed as not of particular interest to tourists. However, it is not. And I want to tell you more about the friendly administrative center of the "island of a thousand temples".

Where does the trip to the wonderful place where the capital of Bali is located begin ? Ngurah Rai Airport , located 13 kilometers from Denpasar, meets all foreigners who arrived. It is famous for its very developed infrastructure, because it is on this that the tourist flow in the pearl of Indonesia depends. The air harbor bears the name of a national Indonesian hero who died in the struggle for the country's independence.

The airport, through the terminals of which more than six million people pass each year, expanded several times, increasing the length of the landing stripes.

Undervalued city of tourists

The capital of Bali is the biggest city of the island, undervalued by travelers. With local residents, this place evokes special memories of the events that occurred in 1906, when the city was captured by the Dutch.

In order not to fall into captivity, the supreme ruler, his whole family and even his servants committed suicide, and now Denpasar is a real cult place for all the Balinese who remember their history. On the main square of Puputan there is a monument that perpetuated this tragic event and personifies the rebellion of the ancestors to the conquerors.

It's amazing that a small city does not have clear boundaries, and sometimes tourists do not understand where the capital of Bali begins and ends.

Organization of an attractive tourist route

The administration of the city, concerned about the unattractiveness of Denpasar for tourists, began work on the organization of a new route that could open all the unknown sights of the capital. The main city of the green island has chic hotels and inexpensive hostels, allowing travelers to relax with any prosperity.

Tourists who spend most of their vacation on white beaches, unfortunately, are not interested in the historical and cultural monuments of Denpasar. Many luxurious royal palaces, which not only foreigners would like to see, but also Indonesians, are privately owned, and negotiations are ongoing with their owners.

Problems of an original city

In translation, the name of the capital means "near the market", and it perfectly reflects the realities of an original city. Only here is a huge number of large and not very markets, souvenir shops and shopping centers, offering a variety of goods, from jewelry to cars and building materials.

The capital of the island of Bali, despite the active development that has begun, remains a provincial town, where there are not enough parking spaces, and tourist buses can not pass through its narrow streets. In addition, the absence of sidewalks compromises the safe movement from one site to another, so the administration recommends using mopeds or cars.

A noisy city with a chaotic traffic is only trying to take a leading position among the tourist corners, but even now it boasts of unusual sights.

Museum of Bali Island

The previously mentioned Puputan Square - the historically established center of the capital - houses an interesting museum of Bali, built by the Dutch, so that no relic is stolen or forgotten. Composed of four pavilions reflecting the national architecture, it shows visitors the oldest artifacts, telling about the ancient history and culture of the colorful island.

Here you can admire the beauty of funerary sarcophagi, learn a lot about religious rituals and see unique collections consisting of antiquities, which the capital of Bali is famous for. Indonesia is proud of the historical rarities that tell about the life of the indigenous population and are of great interest not only for tourists, but also for local residents who honor traditions and remember the difficult history of their native island.

Temple complexes

The main temple of the capital, Jagatnata, adjacent to the museum complex, was erected in 1953. In the open for visiting representatives of all religious faiths a building made of white coral, memorable ceremonies dedicated to the main god of the island are held. In the architecture of a prominent distance from the temple, builders used mythological images from the Ramayana, and the state building itself rests on a giant turtle sculpture depicting the religious views of the islanders.

The temple Maospahit, whose name is derived from the name of a powerful Balinese deity, did not reach the descendants in its original form due to the earthquake that occurred at the beginning of the last century. The religious building erected from red brick is the oldest such kind of historical monument. The rest of the ancient temple can be admired from outside, because it is closed to visitors.

Church of St. Joseph

Good-natured Balinese, respectfully related to other religions, helped to build a Catholic temple. The complex, erected near Denpasar, belongs to the parish of St. Joseph. The exterior of the beautiful building is covered with palm twigs, and angels hovering in the air are frozen over the powerful door of the temple.

The cultural capital of Bali

Speaking about the heart of the picturesque island, we can not fail to mention Ubud - a serene city, famous for the concentration of art museums and art galleries. The main abode of creative people is ideal for those who seek solitude and dreams of combining a relaxing holiday with the study of cultural attractions.

Located far from the ocean and called the cultural capital of Bali, Ubud is uninteresting to all those who adhere to beach holidays. They come here to relax from the bustling metropolises, to feel the unity with the amazing nature of Bali.

Treatment of body and soul

The cultural capital of Bali, famous for its healing procedures, not only restores the body, but also heals the soul. Here there are energy practices, for the sake of visiting which thousands of people who need it come here. Yoga, meditation, tantric systems of self-improvement create a special atmosphere, soothing the mind.

In Ubud come for treatment to local healers - healers. Predicting fate along the lines on the arm and working with the human body, relieving the diseases at the energy level, they affect the chakras and the aura. They come to everyone from whom the traditional medicine refused, and those to whom such practices are curious.

Nature reserve

To be in Ubud and not to visit the reserve of monkeys is impossible. In Monkey Forest, adults and children rush to feed the playful macaques in a natural environment, without cells. In a spacious forest with centuries-old trees, there are more than three hundred well-behaved monkeys, not always friendly to visitors.

On a walk you need to be attentive to things, because mischievous wild animals like to snatch at the convenient opportunity of visitors handbags and cameras.

The city's heritage

Friendly and hospitable city of Denpasar awaits curious tourists, who will not be indifferent to local attractions. The capital of Bali is distinguished by an excellent service with small prices for services, a unique cuisine, located near the hotels equipped beaches.

The legacy of the city with a difficult fate deserves to be met with as many tourists as possible.