Ubud: the cultural hotspot of Bali

Thirty years ago, Ubud was merely a cluster of traditional Balinese villages - rustic, primitive, ultimately relaxed, removed from the hubbub, yet still close enough to the already semi-developed tourist hotspots of South Bali to be easily reached in a day. Its ambiance attracted free-spirited artists, modern-day shamans, and hippies of every kind and kin. The news of this spiritual "Shambhala" growing in the hills of Bali then drew in self-seekers and hipsters. This crowd, in turn, opened the doors to the general public. By now, Ubud is a popular holistic resort and a "must-see" attraction featured in every tour of Indonesia. The peaceful vibes have been diluted, if not entirely lost, but there is still quite a lot to see and do here, even if you have no intention of signing up for a costly meditation retreat or a yoga course. The cultural attractions of Ubud have adapted to mass tourism just enough to make them convenient and digestible but not faceless or fake.

Ubud Palace and cultural performances

Unless you have time and skills to track down a few temple festivals, your best chance of seeing a comprehensive array of sacred Balinese dance is in Ubud. The tourist demand is high, and so is the supply - many temples and community halls arrange nightly performances. Ubud Palace is one of the best locations nowadays used as a cultural space. The architecture is as elaborate as you would expect in Bali, and the variety of dances is standard but rather good. The most spectacular one is probably kecak, based on Hindu mythology, but it looks like it should culminate with a human sacrifice. You may also see topeng (masked dance), calonarang (mystical dance occasionally involving occult elements), and folk theater. Tickets can be bought on the spot if you visit independently. Otherwise, many tours include a visit to Ubud Palace in their programs.

Campuhan Ridge

This ridge-top trail is slowly getting swallowed by rich villas but is still suitable for a peaceful stroll. There are rivers below the ridge, with rapids and a small waterfall. While definitely not a wilderness hike, it is a nice way to spend an evening and perhaps take a few shots of Ubud town lighting up just after sunset. 

Art and craft workshops

Bali is famous for its crafts, and Ubud, in particular, being a former artist's village, produces everything from paintings to pottery. Of special note is the Serayu pottery workshop - its owner, Master Wayan, has arranged colorful vases and pots on the veranda of his shop and often poses for snaps making another piece in this multi-coloured labyrinth. His photogenic appearance - long white beard, bare chest, traditional sarung, just what you would expect in an ethnic portrait - has turned the shop into a check-in spot for Instagram addicts. Many artisans also run classes for tourists, teaching the basics of their crafts. These can be arranged on the spot or booked in advance.

Practicalities

Considering its extreme popularity as a cultural hotspot, it is no wonder Ubud has thousands of places to stay. Choose between secluded villas amidst rice fields, posh "organic" retreats woven of giant bamboo, standard-issue hotels and guesthouses, or cozy homestays in traditional Balinese homes. Since the center of Ubud is no longer a peaceful abode of local peasants and wandering artists, you may prefer to stay on the fringes - or even further into the farmlands. If you can afford it, consider renting a villa. In fact, if you only do it once, Ubud is the place. This one is among the cheapest and probably the most unique - it looks like a hobbit's lair on mushrooms and is set in the middle of the jungle (but still within walking distance from the town center). Getting to Ubud is not much of an issue since a direct bus line from Denpasar (TemanBus No. 4) was launched a few years ago.