Attractions: Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

Dance in Hotels & Bars, Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Museum Puri Lukisan

Ubud is the cultural capital of Bali, Indonesia. In the centre of the popular Indonesian Island, it is surrounded by paddy fields and green forests. Attractions that can be visited in Ubud include the Hindu temples of the Monkey Forest Sanctuary and the museums and art galleries, such as the Museum Puri Lukisan. There is also the chance to watch tradional Balinese dancing, performed to gamelan music, in Ubud’s hotels, bars and restaurants.

Attractions: Ubud, Bali, Indonesia – Monkey Forest Sanctuary and Hindu Temples

For nature-lovers, the unquestioned highlight of Ubud, Bali, Indonesia is the Monkey Forest Sanctuary. It’s not just a clever name – there are hundreds of wild monkeys in the forested area south of town. Most of them are clever enough to know that the passing tourists will happily feed them. The forest is also home to plenty of Hindu temples, which visitors are allowed to enter, but should show due respect whilst inside.

Attractions: Ubud, Bali, Indonesia – Museums and art galleries

If you want a crash course in Balinese art and culture, then there are few better places to go than Ubud. The Museum Puri Lukisan should be the first port of call. On Jl Raya Ubud, this museum covers a good range, having galleries crammed with work by local artists. More importantly, though, it offers painting and carving workshops for visitors as well as Balinese dancing workshops. Be warned though – you will have to deal with plenty of gamelan music at the latter, and it is an acquired taste to say the least.

Other museums and art galleries include the Museum Rudana on Jl Cok Rai Pudak, the Agung Rai Museum of Art and the Neka Museum.

Attractions: Ubud, Bali, Indonesia – Balinese Dancing

It is virtually impossible to involve Balinese dancing in Ubud, and visitors on holiday in the town are practically guaranteed to be able to see at least one performance of the local artform every night. The dancing isn’t wild, with limbs being thrown everywhere, but more measured, with each little movement being a symbolic gesture. The dances are more about telling stories – many are based on Hindu holy books and tales – than a release of energy. Balinese dancing is almost invariably accompanied by the ubiquitous gamelan music, which is either a unique, spiritual soundscape, or the sound of a lot of pans falling out of a cupboard, depending on your point of view.

The Balinese dancing performances take place in various venues and public spaces across town, including hotels, bars and restaurants in Ubud. The tourist office has a schedule of events and will be able to tell visitors which Ubud hotel, bar or restaurant to head for on which particular evening.