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Bali, one of Indonesia's 31 provinces, is made up of eight Regencies; Denpasar, the capital is considered to be within the Badung Regency.

Badung Regency
Capital: Denpasar
Population: Over 300'000
Location: Central & South Bali
Important Phone numbers:
Direct Enquiries - (0361) 108
Badung Tourist Office - Jl. Bakungsari #1, Kuta. Telp: 756176

Villages, sites & temples of Badung Regency are: Denpasar - capital of regency; Nusa Dua, Tanjung Benoa (tanjung - peninsula), Uluwatu, Bali, Kuta, Legian, Bali, Petitenget Temple, Canggu, Kapal, Mengwi, Taman Ayun Temple, Bukit Sari Temple, Sangeh monkey forest.

Denpasar: Bali's capital.
Sites and places of interest in Denpasar:

Museum of Bali - Puputan Sq. Denpasar's only museum was built in 1932. This ethnographical museum (ethnography being the study of a particular society and culture) contains many prehistoric and historic instruments and textiles.

Pura Jagatnatha - One of Bali's most visited temples, located next to the museum, Puputan Sq. and near the Four faced Statue in central Denpasar. This temple is especially worth visiting for the Saraswati, Galungan and Kuningan ceremonies.

Art Centre Werdhi Budaya - Puputan Sq, Bali's centre for dance and art. This art complex has a large amphitheatre that stages many of Bali's traditional dances. It is the centre of activity throughout the Bali Art's Festival held every year, mid June - mid July.

Indonesia Art Institute - Bali's dance, music and art institute. The STSI amphitheatre stages monthly full moon dance performances.

Badung/Kumbasari Market - Recently renovated market that provides for al the locals needs. Beautifully arranged fruit, flowers for offerings, herbs, spices and all kinds of local handicrafts stretch out into two main buildings over the Denpasar River. Jl. Sulawesi is the neighboring street that provides a myriad of fabrics and textiles.

Kreneng Market - The second largest traditional market in Denpasar. It is renowned for its night stalls selling many varieties of Balinese food and drink.

Bird Market - Located on Jl. Veteran, this market sells an assortment of beautiful birds and other animals including the unique Kintamani dog. Please remember it is illegal to keep certain birds and animals in captivity!

Puputan Badung Square - The city's central park. A statue commemorates a heroic moment in the battle of 1906. It is the location for many of Bali's pageants and processions. Nyepi and the opening ceremony of The Bali Arts Festival is held around this square. One of Bali's oldest temples Puri Jaganatha and the Museum of Bali are on one side of this square.

Catur Muka Statue (Four faced statue) - Standing in the centre of Denpasar, to one side of the Puputan Square, is a large granite, statue depicting Brahma as the almighty Creator of the world, nature and all it's inhabitants.

Puri Satria, Pemecutan Jero Kuta & Puri Kesiman - These palaces have seen better days but all are a good example of traditional Balinese architecture.

Other interesting locations within the Badung Regency are:

Uluwatu Temple - perched on a high cliff on the Southwest tip of Bali, Uluwatu Temple is one of Bali's older places of worship. Built around the 11th century, by Hindu high priest Empu Kuturan; it is inhabited by a group of sacred monkeys who guard the temple. This is one of Bali's best sunset spots.

Beaches on Bukit - southern peninsula; Uluwatu, Gerger, Goa Suluban, Padang Padang, Nyang Nyang, Bingin, Dreamland, Nusa Dua, Bali, Kedonganan. Many of the above beaches are famous surfing spots, some are difficult to access and the waves are generally for the intermediate to advanced surfer. Beware of corals and strong currents.