Things to know about Ubud, Bali – Five Curious Facts

The best of Bali artwork can be found in the town of Ubud, the cultural centre of the island. A blend of old and modern artwork, including rare portraits of Indonesian background and work of contemporary artists can be admired in this small town. The Komaneka Art Gallery near the monkey forest greets you with hip, modern art surrounded by minimalist architecture. Ubud Art Market is a colourful wonderful work of art in itself, with vibrantly patterned silk scarfs, pretty dream catchers, light shirts, and culturally significant ornaments available for purchase. With a captivating array of art museums, galleries, painting, and ceramic studios, Ubud can surely be described as the cultural heaven of Bali.

The natural habitat of over 700 Balinese long-tailed monkeys, this monkey forest is situated in the Padangtegal village in Ubud. The concept behind this sanctuary is based on Tri Hita Karana, which can be roughly interpreted as "three causes of well-being." It strives to inspire harmony within its visitors. However, this forest is infamous for the playful interactions of its long-tailed inhabitants cater to its visitors. Many captivating places attract the attention of many tourists such as the three Hindu temples that are ruled by the monkeys and the stunning carvings and sculptures that surround them. Other than its playful inhabitants, you can also explore its forest that boasts of 186 species of plants and trees.

Standing remarkably on the lands of Ubud is the magnificent Pura Taman Saraswati Temple, also known as the Ubud Water Palace for its eye-catching lotus pond that adds to the elegance of the temple site. Once home to the royal family of Ubud, this palace was constructed in accordance with the Balinese rules of Tri-Mandala. Aside from its scenic lotus pond and water garden, the temple site also hosts the Ramayana ballet, a classical Bali dance performance at night, which is a must-see if you're in Ubud. Located near luxury real estate properties such as Anantara Ubud Bali Villas, you can explore this impressive temple site without the hindrance of an entrance fee.

Located quite close to the equator, it is no surprise that Ubud has a tropical climate in almost all the months of the year, which is a high point of attraction to its tourists. It has two distinct seasons; the dry and the wet. During the wet season, which is usually between October and April, one can expect high humidity levels. The dry season lasts until September, and venturing outdoors during this time would let you be wrapped in a soothing breeze. Ubud is ideal to return for a fabulous vacation each year.

Goa Gajah, or rather, the Elephant Cave Temple is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Ubud. It is built on a hill site which lies adjacent to many Bali homes for sale. To enter this cave, one must pass through a doorway that is formed by the wide-open mouth of the large menacing face carved at the entrance. Around this doorway, many other interesting carvings adorn the rock façade. The giant face is considered to be that of an elephant. Inside the cave, one can witness the remnants of the phallic symbol of Hindu god Shiva, its female counterpart, and the elephant-headed figurine of god Ganesh, son of Shiva. Goa Gajah is surrounded by lush green rainforest with bubbling brooks and walking paths to take one through the trees.