7 places to visit in Karangasem

Posted by Umi Haroh on 1st June, 2013

The eastern part of Bali plays a significant role in the island’s history. One notable area is Karangasem, which was home to an ancient kingdom.

Karangasem regency has a large administrative area covering the island from its easternmost point to the great Mount Agung. This vast area houses a number of interesting places, including historical palaces and one of the world’s best diving sites.

Candidasa

Candidasa bears some resemblance to the area in which Kuta Beach is located. It has a long road close to the beach on which there are hotels, bars and restaurants. While Kuta is a popular base for tourists in south Bali, Candidasa plays a similar role for those venturing to the east of the island.

Coming from the south part of the island, Candidasa is the first area of Karangasem regency that you will encounter.

It is a good place to use as a base for a few nights of exploring east Bali because most of the area’s tourist attractions are located within a two-hour drive.

Various lodgings are available here, from cheap homestays to luxurious resorts. The road is lively at night, with colorful lights adorning the seaside bars.

White Sand Beach

The name of White Sand Beach in Perasi village comes from the simple name written on the sign at the entrance of the small alley leading to the beach.

Getting here from Candidasa is quite tricky as it is necessary to drive through the hilly Bugbug area and then look for Imbas Gugus 2 elementary school on the left side before turning right 100 meters ahead to the aforementioned alley.

The beach may not be pristine due to all the stalls along the coast, but on the other hand the stalls provide a quick fix for meals and beach chairs.

The coastline stretches quite far, so you can look for a spot farther to the west past the fishermen’s boats if you prefer lying quietly on the beach.

Tenganan Village

North of Candidasa, just a few hundred meters from the main road, is a village known to be the home of the Bali Aga (native Balinese).

The people of Tenganan village are believed to be the direct descendants of the original inhabitants of Bali. They live strictly according to their ancestors’ traditions and anyone breaking the rules of the village faces banishment.

The village is famous for the annual Usaba Sambah festival.

During the festival, the people of Tenganan do a dance while attacking each other using thorny pandan leafs. They also produce traditional woven fabrics known as Geringsing. The locals believe that the fabric possesses powers that shield them from harm.

Tirta Gangga

Tirta Gangga is a water park located 15 kilometers north of Karangasem’s capital of Amlapura.

Built in a lush area surrounded by green hills and terraced rice fields, Tirta Gangga boasts amazing scenery.

There was once a palace in the area, but it was destroyed in the 1963 eruption of Mount Agung.

The complex has a public pool open and its water is believed to contain magical power that can heal sickness and give everlasting youth to people who bathe in it on a full moon.

Ujung Water Palace

Officially named Taman Soekasada Ujung, the Ujung Water Palace is a big park in Ujung village – south of Amlapura – with two large ponds similar to those in Tirta Gangga.

In fact, the two sites were build at the request of the same person, the last king of Karangasem, Anak Agung Anglurah Ketut, in the 1940s.

The complex is larger than Tirta Gangga, and the palace sits majestically overlooking the large pond.

Surrounded by paddy fields, the place is in a serene setting. But the most eye-catching feature in the area is the remains of an old watch tower atop a hill.

Amed

The coast of Amed was developed so quickly as though overnight after the main road was finished being built within the last decade.

The area, which was once impoverished due to the arid land that is unsuitable for farming, is now a rising tourist site with resorts and hotels being built along the coast.

The most striking difference from southern towns is that the people of Amed have not become dependent on tourism.

There are only a few hawkers in the area. Most of the people of Amed are fishermen and salt producers.

The pristine sea is paradise for divers and Amed is quickly establishing itself as the latest hot place to go for underwater sports. Local fishing boats can be hired to get around.

Tulamben

The distance between Tulamben and south Bali makes a one-day trip between the two unadvisable.

The best option is to set up a base in either Amed or Candidasa to enjoy all the amazing underwater recreation that the coast has to offer.

The main attraction in Tulamben is the wreck of US army supply ship “The Liberty” that sunk as a result of the eruption of Mount Agung.

This shipwreck is popular among divers, and, because of its close proximity to the shore, one can also snorkel to it when the tide is low.

Last changed: 1st June, 2013 at 12:18 PM