The Badung Regency includes Bali’s capital city of Denpasar and the major tourist beach resort centers of Kuta, Nusa Dua and Sanur. The original Kingdom of Badung was strengthened during the 19th century as its trade links expanded and as rival Balinese kingdoms were gradually defeated by the Dutch. The ascendancy of Badung, however, ended in 1906 with the Dutch invasion of the Palace, following the Royal Family’s refusal to pay compensation for items looted from a wrecked ship off Sanur beach. In the subsequent confrontation a puputan or mass-scale ‘ritual suicide’ of Balinese soldiers occurred, an event commemorated by a large statue in Denpasar’s central Puputan Square. Badung, Bali’s southernmost district, is where tourism to the island first took root. Not surprisingly, this area is packed with things for visitors to do and see.

Traditional Arts

Directly across the street from the Puputan Square is the Museum Bali, housing a permanent exhibition of traditional artifacts and hosting regular exhibits of fine art. Not far from the museum, in the direction of Sanur beach, is the Werdi Budaya Art Centre which houses a permanent collection of Balinese art and is a performance center of traditional dance and drama. Every June and July, the Art Centers hosts the Bali Arts Festival, a festival of traditional Balinese performance art.

Temple Going

North, south, east and west of Denpasar, interesting temples abound which are well worth a visit. Sea temples dot the coast, such as the ancient Sakenan on SERangan Island, the breathtaking Ulu Watu temple on Bali’s southernmost tip, and Jimbaran’s Ulun Suwi temple, in front of which trance rituals often take place. In Denpasar it self, don’t miss the Maospahit temple. The city to Mengwi, a pleasant drive north of the capital, is the location the lovely Taman Ayun gardens and the nearby Sada temple.

Beach Going

Although very well known, Kuta beach is not the only place to get wet in Bali’s southern peninsula. There are many other sany and often secluded strips available to the dedicated sun seeker or beachcomber. Sanur beach, for example, is free of the strong surf that buffets bathers a Kuta and for that reason is favored by many locals, especially on Sundays. The trader-free Jimbaran Bay provides a view of the colorful Madurese fishing boats docked at the end of the beach. While the drive Nusa Dua beach is scenic leading through landscaped gardens and past the luxury hotels of this tourist enclave.

Shopping

Shopping opportunities arealmost endless in southerm Bali. Many new malls, squares and shopping centers featuring local products and a variety of international labels abound. It’s difficult to miss the shopping mecca’s of Galleria Nusa Dua, Kuta Centre and Kuta Square, but for more eccentric shoppers, the Pasar Badung in Denpasar, just west of the Puputan Square, is a must. Perfect for shoppers suffering from insomnia, night time, between 12 am and 5 am, is the best time to shop for fruit and vegetables, and fish and meat. This market, within view of the Jalan Gajah Mada bridgewith its bustling sea of traders and shoppers, in one of the island’s best nocturnal sights. The abundant handicraft stalls, selling everything from silver to carved wooden statues, to cloth and bamboo, are open in this area during daylight hours