Klungkung

History
A historically important town 40km from Denpasar. Klungkung was the former seat of the Javanese Hindu Kingdom Gelgel dynasty in Bali from where Balinese royalty draws its blood line. Klungkung was the oldest kingdom on the island and its "Raja" the most exalted until most of the royal family committed suicide as a reaction on the Dutch invasion in 1908. The Kerta Gosa or Royal Court of justice built in the 18th century, is specially known for its ceiling murals painted in the traditional wayang style, portraying punishment in hell and the rewards in heaven and other aspects of moralities. The floating pavilion, garden and lotus ponds in this walled-in complex, located on the main intersection of town are a reminder of the former glory of this kingdom.

Temple-going
Near the coast is the old capital of Gelgel with its Pura Dasar temple, and just north of Klungkung is the peaceful Taman Sari temple. Across the water from Klungkung is the island of Nusa Penida. This former island of exile for Klungkung?s criminals boasts a great fanged demon and the Dalem Peed temple, both associated with black magic.

Eco-tourism
Despite its association with black magic, Nusa Penida and the adjoining island of Lembongan are cheerful places for ecotourists to visit, as they abound with caves to explore and excellent snorkling and diving spots. Another cave can be found on the mainland near the salt making village of Kusamba - Goa Lawah is not only home to thousands of bats but also a huge python. As on Gianyar?s Agung River, rafting companies have recently begun to take advantage of the white water of Klungkung?s Unda River by offering daily trips downriver.

Museum Semarajaya Klungkung
Museum Semarajaya Klungkung is one of tourist objects in a stately hall with the style of unique architecture that is the combination of the old Holland style and Balinese traditional one. The Dutch Government erected the building after the fall of Klungkung Kingdom on April 28, 1908. it was once in the time of the Netherland-Indie government of former Junior Secondary School (MULO) and afterward that of a local one until 1990. Appearing conspicuously distinct among other edifices in its neighboring, after it underwent intensive restoration, the government eventually use it as local Museum. It radiates an attractive charming to everybody particularly to those that chance to visit the Court-Hall and the Floating -Pavilion. The never waste anytime to step their feet on the attractive building enjoying curiosity of the building and what articles are stored in it. The collections stored in here are among others, the prehistoric and Historic goods in particular utilized in the Klungkung Battle to the last blood-shed, locally special masterpieces of Klungkung region, and also the collection of Ambron drawings. It is located at the western annex of the Court-Hall and Floating Pavilion.

Pura Klotok
Situated at a shore about 5 kilometers to the South Semarapura town. This environment is really interesting for its splendid view with scenic rice-fields at the background. While far the distance the peak of mount Agung with the stretch of turbulent wave of the ocean offshore cracks the silence to the visitors. This temple is functioned to beg for the wealth of crops. The festival is held every year on the fifth Purnama (Full-moon) day. Klotok Temple is also highly important for its involment to the great ceremonies in Besakih Mother Temple. "Melasti" ceremony often takes place here. Where Pratimas (a Pratima is a kind of ritual tool regarded as sacred) and the others are brought to Klotok beach several days before the new Caka year (the day of quietness). When the Ceremony held here, a great many worshipers overwhelm the environment of the temple.

Pura Tamansari and Penataran Agung Area
Tamansari and Penataran Agung Temples are located in the territory of Sengguan hamlet of Klungkung District. It is about 500 meters at north-east of Semarapura town. Its environment is one of the interesting tourist-objects with beautiful panorama at the back-ground of hilly view. It is also the historical remains of Majapahit era. The festival day of Tamansari temple falls on Saturday Kliwon Wuku Landep (a kind of auspicious day in Balinese calendar0. the weapons of royal heirlooms of Klungkung Kingdom are brought to the temple to be ritualized. While the Penataran Agung Temple located at the southern part, is also an important one for it is closely involved when great festival held in Besakih Mother temple. Beside it is often served as background of Barong Performance to tourist.

Panti Timrah
It is name of a Temple situated at Paksebali village belonging to district of Dawan, Klungkung regency about 3 kilometers east of Semarapura town. The interesting thing can be watched here are the arrangement but exciting to see. At the sight of "Dewa Maseraman" activity 7 sacred palankeens are carried on pushing each other here and there. One with cloth is overwhelmed by the other six palankeens, but however eventually the one with as the winner. The festival is usually done on Sunday that is a day after Kuningan Holiday.

Kusamba Beach
This beach is an interesting tourist-object worth visiting about 7 kilometers east of Semarapura town. The attraction of the beach is that, it is a site of traditional salt making. We can see to catch fish. A line of fishing boats and shacks of salt-drier under the stretch of coconut trees are seen captivating for those visiting the beach.

Lepang Beach
Lepang beach is one of the beaches, located at Lepang hamlet belonging to Banjarangkan district, Klungkung - 6 kilometers west Semarapura town. It is frequented by youths for rendezvous in particular on holidays. The beautiful bending out-lines of the beach with the environment of waving coconut trees in addition with the stretch of rice-field as the background really enhance its fascination. It is a cherished hope for teenagers.

Kentel Gumi Temple
The environment of Kentel Gumi temple situated at Banjarangkan district, Klungkung regency about 33 kilometers east of Denpasar. The refreshing environment makes it so attractive especially during the festivals extremely worth visiting.

Tihingan Village
The amusing tinkling of gamelan instruments almost heard anytime and anywhere in Bali. It arouses everybody's curiosity. Where are the instruments made? Let's cast a glance at Tihingan village about 3 kilometers west of Semarapura town. Here multifarious kind of Balinese gamelan instruments are in production traditionally but in value of highly astonishing art. Here is the only famous site of the gamelan production in Bali.

Puputan Monument
Situated in the heart of Semarapura to commemorate the puputan (fight to the dead) of Klungkung. A monument, 28 m high, in the shape of Lingga and Yoni pierces the sky in the center of Semarapura town (the former name of Klungkung). The monument was officially dedicated by the Minister of Education and Culture on 28 April 1992 and commemorates the Puputan, or Fight to the Death, that occurred here in the early 1900's. The Royal family and people of Klungkung fought a Last Stand here, resulting in their annihilation. The monument is composed of stone which is black, the color in Hindu philosophy that represents the Puputan, the ending. In the vicinity of the monument, tourists can explore clothing and art shops, souvenir kiosks and the traditional market.

Kerta Gosa and Taman Gili
Royal Courts of Justice pavilions, with their surrounding lotus ponds, are a graceful reminder of the former glory of this kingdom. These pavilions, built in the 18th Century, are located at the main road intersection side of the town of Klungkung (40km from Denpasar). They are especially known for their ceiling murals, painted in the traditional "Wayang" style, depicting the punishments in hell for miscreants, and higher up, the rewards in heaven for those that lead a good and honest life. The courts were presided over by three pedandas (high priest), and continued to fulfill their function through Dutch colonial times. The Kerta was the island's highest court of Justice. The old buildings were renovated and restored in 1960. Behind the Kerta Gosa stands a tall gateway. This gateway is all that remains of what was once the first and most elaborate palace in Bali, which was destroyed by the Dutch artillery when they bombarded the town of Klungkung and Gelgel into submission in 1908. As had happened in other kingdoms in Bali the Dewa Agung led great "Puputan", or ceremonial fight to death, and so ended 600 years of rule in Bali by lineal descendents of the emperors of Majapahit. After this conquest the Dutch had gained control of all of Bali.

Batu Klotok
An interesting black sand beach back grounded by rice field and Mount Agung. Klotok beach located at 5 km to the South of Semarapura town, Klungkung regency. It is interesting to visit as back grounded by rice filed and a remote Mount Agung as will as a bright beach in front of. Tourist also can enjoy the procession of 'melasti'.

Traditional arts
These two pavilions are testimony to Klungkung?s artistic wealth. The Kertha Gosa pavilion is famous for its painted ceiling of punishments in hell, animal tales and an earthquake chart, and the Bale Kambang has paintings of Buddhist lore, foktales and traditional astrology. The village of Kamasan is home to a school of art which perpetuates the traditional Balinese ?puppet style? of painting, and musical instruments are made in Tiingan. Also, in the city of Klungkung is an art market which is a great place to buy textiles from the district?s highland villages.
Budaga village
Budaga is situated at the western part of Semarapura town. Various kinds of brasswares are in production here in particular for ritual needs beside also served as souvenirs. A very unique called "Dreaming Bali", as it is shaken will produce a melodious ringing. Please call at Budaga to enjoy it.

Lila Arsana Swimming pool
Lila Arsana swimming pool is located 300 meters at the northeast of Kandapatsari main cross- road of Semarapura town. The facility is equipped with two pools, one is for adults and the other one is for children. The site is located at Gunung Rinjani Street.