Peaceful village in Bali

Quiet sunset in Penglipuran village

About 45km from Denpasar city, Penglipuran village is located in the Batur mountain range in the east of Bali island. The village is located at an altitude of about 600m above sea level, so the weather here is quite cool, only about 16 degrees Celsius at night and 24 degrees Celsius during the day.

Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 1970, Penglipuran is known as the cleanest village in Bali with neat streets and clean air. The special thing about this village is the way it preserves and maintains its unique local culture. Early morning is the time for villagers to perform ceremonies. Each house will prepare a small offering including flowers, rice, homemade cakes made from flour and coconut... which are solemnly displayed in the middle of the gate. From 9am, the village opens to visitors.

When entering the village, you can see the Pura Desa temple with traditional architecture with meticulous decorations and sharp block details. Behind the temple is a lush, green bamboo forest. The main building of the village is the community center and is also worth visiting. During festivals or special events, villagers gather here. Here, adults teach children to play musical instruments and dance the Legong dance, which is the inspiration for the architecture and statues on this island.

In Penglipuran, each house is like a garden with a traditional archway. In front of the house, there is a small canal that serves as a drainage channel, with a pretty bridge across it to lead inside. The same flowers are planted in each house and a stone path runs through the guest house, kitchen, ancestral shrine and some houses have a remote reception room.

Legong dance

If you feel hungry while walking around, you can visit small eateries hidden deep inside each house to enjoy some traditional cakes made from flour and coconut pulp, or a refreshing and natural drink made from “cemcem” leaves with a slightly sour taste that is only available in Penglipuran village.

When visiting Penglipuran, tourists also have the opportunity to visit and explore traditional handicraft production, most notably the Batik fabric making. The fabrics are meticulously and delicately painted with beeswax to make scarves, shirts, and skirts for women in the village. In addition, people in Penglipuran also sell souvenirs such as handbags, Bali sarongs, and masks with unique shapes.

After 4pm, the number of tourists gradually thins out. The village becomes brilliant with golden color at dusk. At this time, people start preparing offerings to the temple. Women often choose colorful traditional dresses to attend the ceremony. They move gently and skillfully through the path up the high hill with bamboo baskets on their heads.

Traditional house gate

From 5pm onwards, the village becomes deserted and the temperature gradually cools down, returning Penglipuran to its peace and quiet in the air filled with the scent of incense emanating from the temples. After the ceremony, people begin to have fun and bustle. Coming to Penglipuran, you can stay right in the village to experience a minimalist and clean life in some homestays. If you choose this option, you will have more opportunities to mingle with the friendly and hospitable people here.

Tourists often come to Penglipuran Bali in the summer starting from June and festivals from July to September. At this time, the village is beautifully decorated and special art activities take place. Experiences during this meaningful time will definitely bring visitors unforgettable impressions.

Source: https://heritagevietnamairlines.com/ngoi-lang-binh-yen-o-bali/