The District Badung, Bali?s most densely populated region is located in the southern most part of Bali, where the city of Denpasar, the island?s capital and bustling metropolis thrives and where Bali?s world famous beach resorts are the stars of the tourism industry. The area stretches from the central highlands in the north through Nusa Dua Peninsula. Kuta is famous with two things; its beach and the simply magnificent sunset. Apart from surfing on its huge breakers and strolling for miles on the pearly white beach, shopping is a must with the wide variety and number of shops and street vendors selling rattans bag, batik shirts and a range of other interesting mementos. Street-side caf? like the ones you find in Paris and numerous restaurants offer cuisine from around the world. Nightlife such as pubs and discos are popular watering holes for revelers. Nusa Dua and Tanjung Benoa are Bali?s other beach resorts that boast of swaying coconut trees and the clear blue sea. The Balinese architecture complements the beautiful natural environment to provide all the colors of a tropical paradise. Nusa Dua beach is stretching all the way to Tanjung Benoa harbour. The beach at Nusa Dua is covered with coral reef, creating an ideal family beach, while Tanjung Benoa specializes in water sports. The Jimbaran bay area has one of the safest and most tranquil white beaches on the whole islad. Jimbaran is renowned for the Barong dance. It also has pura Ulun siwi, a beautiful temple made of redbrick.

The district of Bangli is colored with its spread of volcanic highlands with bubbling hote springs and lush rice fields. Bangli is the source of many of Bali’s rivers. Bangli’s mountains region centers around the spectacular volcanic crater of Mount Batur, which last erupted in 1994. Close to the volcano is the large crescent shaped Batur lake, all surrounded by the high walls of the crater rim. The important Pura Ulun Danu Batur pays homage to the life-giving quality of the lake, which is considered a sacred water catchment. In Kintamani, the panorama shifting as you circle around the crater. For a complete panoramic view, you can drive half the circumference of the crater along its upper rim. The highest point is Bukit Panulisan, one of the most ancient of Bali’s temples that contains the remains of carvings from the earliest Buddhist period. One very interesting excursion in Batur is the climb down the inside of the crater from Panelokan to Kedisan.You can then drive around the smaller Mount Batur, thourgh Songan, and to Toya bungkah, across the lake on a boat to a Bali Aga village called Trunyan. This place is notorious for its mortuary traditions i.e. instead of creating the dead, as Balinese do through out most of the island, the Trunyan community leaves the bodies to decompose naturally in a special cemetery. There are also hot springs in Toya Bungkah. The Adventurous traveler may even with to climb the Mount Batur itself.

Denpasar is the capital city of Bali. From a population of just 15,000 sixty years ago, it has expanded dramatically to 400,000, plus another 100,000 who are residents of Kuta and Nusa Dua. The most interesting feature of Denpasar is its combination of tradition with modernity. The old provincial kingdoms and villages of the densely populated rice plain also perforate the urban landascape. While functioning very much in the traditional way, these "villages in the city" still have their exclusive banjar neighborhood, dance groups, and temple festivals. Sanur is included in the city of Denpasar. But with its white sand, coconut trees, and some of the best international hotels on the whole island just a few metres away, Sanur was Bali?s first beach resort.

Gianyar, the second most populated region of Bali is the cultural heart of the island. The highland town of Ubud, in particular, has acquired a reputation as a center of art after several foreign artists settled there in the 1920?s, 30?s and 50?s. When you travel from Denpasar to Ubud, the first village you reach is Batubulan, a small village famous for its river stone carving. Just after Batubulan, Celuk and nearby Singapadu are the centers for Balinese goldsmiths and silversmiths. More than 40 jewelry workshops are located along the road from Batubulan to Celuk. After Celuk, the main road heads to Sukawati, famous for its art market. Further along the road towards Ubud is the village of Mas, famous for woodcarving. After Mas, you enter the area of Ubud, often regarded as the cultural heart of Bali. Ubud is the ideal place to see Balinese dance; Kecak and Barong which are performed nightly in or around the area. It gives you the opportunity to see the real Bali. It is a place for leisurely strolls through rice terraces, lush forests, breathtaking gorges and deserted swimming holes, all within walking distance from the center of the village.

Jembrana, the least populated area of Bali was home of the now-extinct Bal tiger. Although the area has only basic tourist facilities, many attractions make Jembrana worth visiting. The main population areas are scattered along the southwestern coastal road. The district can be reached from Singaraja in the east and Denpasar in the south-east through Tabanan. The most exciting event in Jembrana is the traditional buffalo race. The regency even calls itself 'The Land of the Mekepung". Usually held between August and October, the Mekepung was originally held as part of the harvest festivities. Spreading over more than 76,000 hectares, West Bali National Park is situated in two districts; Jembrana and Buleleng. The park is the last natural habitat of the endangered Jalak Putih - fewer than fifty are believed to be left in the wild, where they are threatened by poaching. The National Park contains a broad range of natural environment, from mangrove coastal forests to savanna and rainforests shelters. Rambutsiwi Temple is on a cliff top overlooking a breathtaking panorama of rice fields on one side and the black sandy beach on the other. Stairs allow people to get safely down onto the beach. Two caves overlook the sea, each with a view of the fishermen?s boats and seabirds hovering above. This spot is a favorite hangout for painters.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, Karangasem was the most powerful kingdom in Bali. Karangasem is well-known for its breath-taking landscapes formed by lava flows from Gunung Agung, the sacred mountain of Bali. Beautiful terraced paddy fields like at the lower southeastern slopes of the district while coffee and clove plantations are found higher up. Besakih Temple is just located six kilometers from Gunung Agung mountain. Pura Besakih is Bali?s largetst, most important temple, consisting of about 30 separate temples in seven terraces that ascend up the hill. Every district in Bali has its own shrine or temple at Besakih and besides honoring Ida Sang Hyang Widhi (God Almighty), all Balinese Gods and Goddesses are also honored. Padang Bai is the port for the ferry service to Lembar on the Island of Lombok. From Padang Bai the road follows a beautiful stretch inland and turns off at the mountain village of Tenganan, a Bali Aga village - one of the few Balinese communities to resist the Majapahit invasion of 1343. On the coastal road 13 kilometers from Tenganan is the once-quite fishing village of Candi Dasa. You can find plenty of accommodation, restaurants, bars, souvenir shops and some nightlife here.

Klungkung means happiness or beauty, is Bali?s smallest district, lying on the southeastern coast of Bali, including the island of Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Ceningan. Klungkung town, now called Semarapura is a busting commercial center, and its market is the largest in Bali. The main tourist attraction are the Kertha Gosa, the Hall of Justice, and the Bali Kambang, a floating pavilion. A magnificent the Kertha Gosa was used as a venue for the administration of justice by kings and priests during pre-colonial times. A few kilometers outside Semarapura is Kamasan village, home of Balinese traditional paintings. A few kilometers east is Goa Lawah, the Bat Cave. This cave is crowded with thousand of bats which are unseen but certainly not unheard during the day. Nusa Penida attracts a number of visitors for its seclusion, surf and snorkeling. The friendly people of Nusa Lembongan now welcome tourism. For those looking for white sandy beaches and a laid back atmosphere, Nusa Lembongan is the paradise. The waters around Lembongan are crystal clear, the sand is white and the shallow coves are brimming with colorful coral and sea life, making it an ideal location for snorkeling. Nusa Ceningan which is the smallest of the three islands is rarely visited.

Buleleng is walled out by the Sea of Bali in the north. This historical district is isolated from the rest of Bali and has developed distinct social and culture features and continues to attract increasing numbers of tourists each year with its breathtaking natural scenery and unique history. Some six miles south of Singaraja on the way to Denpasar lies the Gitgit waterfall, Bali?s highest waterfall, where the inviting cool waters of the river below are worth a dip into. Tourists looking for a quite beach resort can head 6 miles west from Singaraja along the coastal road to Lovina, a long stretch of beach now full with hotels and bungalows. The black sand beach is safe and a perfect place for swimming and snorkeling. Lovina also offers dolphin watching early at sunrise, and from this point you can conveniently explore northern areas of Bali.

Overred with mountains in the north, lush paddy fields in the south and coastal sandy beaches, Tabanan lies between the districts of Badung, Buleleng and Jembrana. The main attraction in Tabanan is Tanah Lot, a famous seaside temple, though many black-sand beaches are also being developed for tourism. Situated near the town of Kediri, Tanah Lot is unquestionably the most famous temple in Bali. The temple is set atop an outcrop of rock jutting into the sea and is accessible only during low tide. As a place for viewing spectacular sunsets in Asia, Tanah Lot has few equals. Everyday at dusk, tourists flood the area to witness the wonderful silhouette of the temple against the glowing horizon. The best view is from the cliff overlooking the temple. Another attraction in Tabanan is the Subak Museum which displays exhibits relating to agriculture.