Tampaksiring

Tampaksiring is one of the island’s most historically and spiritually significant regions. This area is home to some of Bali’s oldest temples and sacred sites, with a density that makes you wonder how so much beauty can fit into such a small area. Many date back to the 10ᵗʰ to 13ᵗʰ centuries, a time when Bali was shaped by a blend of Hindu-Buddhist influences, and older ancestral and animist traditions. From cliff-carved sanctuaries to holy springs used for purification, the temples here are living places of worship, still central to community life and ceremony today.

Pura Tirta Empul

— Bali’s Iconic Water Temple —

Pura Tirta Empul is one of Bali’s most visited temples, by both locals and visitors for its role as one of the island’s most important water temples. Managed collectively by six traditional villages, it is dedicated primarily to Vishnu, while the god Indra is also venerated for his association with the sacred spring. Read more…

Pura Pegulingan

— A Hindu Temple with a Buddhist Stupa —

Archaeologists have identified Pura Pegulingan as one of the earliest locations of Buddhist activity on Bali, dating back to the 10th century. During a temple renovation in the 1980s, the remains of the original stupa were uncovered. Beyond the reconstructed stupa, Pura Pegulingan consists of several dozen structures arranged across three courtyards. More…

Pura Mengening

— The Lush Valley of Dynamic Waters —

Silence, purity, and clarity – that is the meaning of the name of this valley-temple with pools, springs and bathing places. Balinese Hindus believe the holy spring water here is a gift from the god Indra, flowing from underground sources, having healing and cleansing properties. More…

Pura Gunung Kawi

— The “Royal Tombs” in a Spectacular Valley—

This temple remains one of the most captivating portals to ancient Bali—a carved gateway into the island’s early religious life set within a lush river valley. Dating to the 11th century, it features ten monumental rock-cut shrines believed to honor King Anak Wungsu and his family. Framed by rice terraces, flowing water channels, and coconut trees, the site offers an unforgettable descent into Bali’s early spiritual world. More…

Pura Gumang

— A Historical Forest Temple —

Pura (Alas) Gumang was the site of an important religious unification meeting in the 11th century. Its architecture includes four ceremonial gates, ancient statues, and symbols from multiple faith traditions, making it a showcase of Balinese cultural and religious heritage spanning more than a millennium. More…

Pura Gunung Kawi Sebatu

— Where Water Breathes Beauty —

Think tranquil springs, lush greenery, and pools so clear they look like liquid glass. This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the great maintainer in the Hindu Trimurti, who often appears in various incarnations to offer salvation to humanity. More…