A day in Ubud

A day in Ubud can work. I did it 15 years ago on my first trip to one of Bali's major arts and culture centers in the Gianyar regency. Back then it was quieter and the trip around the attractions quicker, with an objective to take home art pieces by a local artists. The big canvas and the sculptures are have since then been on display in my home.

Art acquisitions on my first trip to Ubud 15 years ago: an oil painting & the 2 smaller Buddha heads

Hiring your own ride to and around Ubud is wise as it can give you the extra time to spend in each stop. But if you’re up for a long day’s walk, which I did, then Ubud can open up surprises for you—quaint shops, art-filled alleys, charming coffee shops, spots that can be easily missed on board a car.

The old bridge above where two river meets in Campuan. It offers a view of the Blanco Mansion above & the Gunung Lebah Temple on the valley floor on the opposite side

View from the old bridge: the new bridge & the Gunung Lebah Temple.

The town center is basically small with all its attractions situated along the three streets—the main road, Jalan Raya Ubud, the Jalan Monkey Forest and the Jalan Hanoman— linked to form into a triangle.

The busiest part of town where the main roads intersect.

But before you make your rounds, did you know that the town was originally an important source of medicinal herbs and plants? Ubud gets its name from “ubad,” the Balinese word for medicine.

Why the town became the cultural and art center was because of these points in history: Ubud in the late 19th century was the seat of feudal lords loyal to the king of Gianyar, the most powerful of Bali's southern states then. These lords, members of the Balinese Kshatriya caste of Sukawati, were significant supporters of the village's increasingly renowned arts scene; Art teacher Walter Spies not only taught but also brought other artists from all over to teach and train the Balinese in arts; the 1960s got a burst of creative energy after the arrival of Dutch painter Arie Smit and Young Artists Movement was developed.


Time to go around Ubud. This was the route of my (long) walking tour that took me to these attractions:


1. Blanco Museum (Campuan ridge. Entrance fee applies).

The Blanco Renaissance Museum is home to Manilna-born artist, Antonio Blanco

Pinoy connection: The artist Antonio Blanco is Spanish by blood and born in the Manila. Move to New York after high school to study at the National Academy of Art. An extensive traveler, he finally settled in Bali in 1952, where he was given a hilltop property overlooking the lush valley of Campuan by the King to set up his home and studio.

The garden & the entrance to the mansion & museum

The mansion turned museum houses paintings, collages and illustrated poetry and lithographic artworks of nude Balinese women, the artist’s his favorite subject. Offerings: guided tours are, a pleasant garden to walk around and a panoramic view of the ridge from the restaurant.

The open area of the restaurant overlooking the valley

2. The Puri Saren Agung (corner of Monkey Forest and Raya Ubud roads. Free entrance).

One of the access to the Royal Palace form the main road.

Gate of Ubud Palace

The large Royal Palace was the residence of the last ruling monarch of Ubud, Tjokorda Gede Agung Sukawati, and it is still owned by the royal family.

One of the halls of the palace.

The ceremonial thrones.

No entry. An access to the palace's inner grounds.

In the 1930s, the place was the one of the first hotels in Ubud. Before the Kuta bombing incient, the palace grounds was open to the public. Only the courtyard is open to visitors. The palace was also one of Ubud's first hotels, opening its doors back in the 1930s.



3. Pura Taman Sraswati (access by Starbucks along Jalan Raya Ubud. Free entrance).

Pura Taman Kemuda Sarawati

The temple, founded by I Gusti Nyoman Lempad in the 19th century by order of the Prince of Ubud, was built to honor the Hindu Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of learning, literature and art.

Main gate to the temple

To honor the goddess of art means to built a temple filled with artistry. The path between the two big Lotus ponds are lined with sculptures and approaches the main towering temple gate with a face carving of the Jero Gede Mecaling.