Batubulan Village is located in the central part of Bali, Indonesia. Among travel enthusiasts, the village is known as one of the unique attractions of the island, where generations of stone carving artisans still live. Indeed, the village has many souvenir shops filled with figurines of mythical heroes and characters from local legends. You can also witness unique costume performances with traditional dances, songs, and fire shows. Getting to this amazing village is easy, as Batubulan is practically within the city limits, and many shuttle taxis go there.
History
There is little information about the origins of the first settlement in Batubulan, although locals consider themselves descendants of ancient peoples who have lived here for centuries. It is known that generations of craftsmen lived and still live on this land, passing their knowledge to every new child. The only more or less reliable information is about the period when the first structure in the village was built. It is believed that the land development began with the construction of the Pura-Puseh temple, built here in the 11th century.
Attractions
The main attraction of the village is its central structure, the Pura-Puseh temple, surrounded by the homes of local residents. The first part of the name “pura” translates from Balinese as “temple.”
Pura-Puseh is considered a unique temple structure. Its walls are made of volcanic rock called “gray tuff,” known for its softness and pliability. Possibly due to the unusual material, the atmosphere around the temple is filled with mystery and mysticism.
The temple is held in high esteem by the locals, who see it as a sanctuary and regularly make various offerings. Another feature of Batubulan is the ritual performances held here regularly, if not daily. These vibrant celebrations, filled with native dances and music, occur near the walls of Pura-Puseh and are part of an ancient tradition.
The most famous performance is the weekend theatrical show by the local group “Denjalan,” depicting the “Barong” dance, named after the deity and telling the story of the eternal struggle between good and evil. The artists are exotically made up and dressed in colorful national costumes, with the entire process accompanied by unique folk songs.
The harmony and amazing flexibility of the performers’ bodies will undoubtedly impress and delight every spectator. In the southern part of Batubulan, there is another interesting building, the “Bale Banjar” pavilion, where you can also see Indonesian dances and performances by the villagers. Dance performances are held in the morning, and in the evening, the “Kechak” dance, which includes a fire show and barefoot walking on hot coals, is particularly interesting.
Besides the attractions in the village, there is a Bird Park nearby. It occupies part of the rice fields and is home to numerous species of vocal birds. Close to the Bird Park is the Reptile Park, where you can see vibrant representatives of Indonesia’s reptile world, including monitor lizards, crocodiles, pythons, and venomous snakes.
Stone Carving Art
Stone carving is definitely the key feature of Batubulan. Knowledge of stone carving has been passed down from father to son for centuries. From the entrance to the village, you can see numerous statues of birds, plants, heroes, and divine beings from local legends. The sizes of the sculptures range from a few centimeters to huge dimensions.
The village is full of souvenir shops and stone carving workshops. Artisans work right on the street, in full view of visitors, and the creation process can be captured on video or photo.
Additionally, the friendly locals are willing to share their centuries-old knowledge or create custom sculptures. Finished works can be purchased for less than 5 euros. The villagers believe that despite the fierce appearance of some figures, each statue protects Batubulan from evil spirits and maintains peace in the village.
Visiting Rules
Visiting the stone carvers’ village involves certain rules. Although strict adherence is not required, visitors and tourists should heed the locals’ wishes. First and foremost, entry to Batubulan does not require pre-payment, and access to the village is free. However, locals recommend making donations to the Pura-Puseh temple, for which they are immensely grateful.
A tour of the village can be done in a group or individually. Anyone can visit Batubulan, and the locals are happy to share the village’s history and show interesting places. Another recommendation is to choose appropriate clothing for the tour—clothes that cover the shoulders and legs, including the ankles, are ideal.
Visiting hours are from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. The best time of year to visit is from late spring to September. The rest of the year is characterized by the tropical rainy season in Bali.
How to Get There
Batubulan stretches 2.5 km in the central part of Bali and is close to other settlements, making it easy to reach. From Denpasar, the village is a 15-minute drive, costing around 2000 rupiahs. From Ubud, the journey takes about 25-30 minutes and costs 4000 rupiahs. There is also a route from Amlapura that costs 7000 rupiahs and takes just over an hour. From Padangbai, the trip takes 45 minutes and costs 5000 rupiahs.
The uniqueness of Batubulan village, located in Bali, lies in preserving the ancient traditions of stone carving. Here, ancestors and descendants are united by a common and dearly loved craft—creating stone sculptures. The hospitality of the local population is also heartwarming. The master craftsmen are happy to share the secrets of their intricate art with curious travelers. Time spent in Batubulan can be enlivened with vibrant musical performances rich in Indonesian traditions and rituals.