Ubud
The town of Ubud, in the uplands of Bali, Indonesia, is known as a center for traditional crafts and dance. The surrounding Ubud District’s rainforest and terraced rice paddies, dotted with Hindu temples and shrines, are among Bali’s most famous landscapes. Ancient holy sites include the intricately carved Goa Gajah (“Elephant Cave”) and Gunung Kawi, with its rock-cut shrines.
Ubud is in many ways Bali’s cultural heart. It’s in the cool mountains, just an hour’s drive north of the airport. This traditional country town is home to one of Bali’s royal families. You can even visit the majestic palace in the center of town. Ubud is also well known as a flourishing crafts center. Around Ubud, there are the surrounding villages of Campuhan, Penestanan, Peliatan, and Batuan. These communities specialize in crafts and woodcarving which are sold all over the island. There are hundreds of shops selling antiques, woodcarvings, crafts, textiles, paintings, and jewelry in Ubud. You’ll also find some of the best art museums in the country here. Along Ubud’s main street are dozens of art studios, an excellent local craft market, and galleries.