Traveling to Bali, Indonesia will not be complete without visiting Ubud. If you haven’t heard of it, it is a town in central Bali tucked away from the uproar of Kuta and Seminyak. This place is known to be the famous hub for arts, crafts, workshops, and galleries.

What most travelers love about Ubud is that its culture and tradition are very much alive, and continues to flourish despite the influx of tourism. In fact, its culture has become a part of its best attractions. So if you want to explore cultural Ubud, you have come to the right place. Below are activities you can do to make your visit in this town more meaningful and fun.

Watch a Balinese Dance Show

Regardless of where you plan to stay on this island, it will be easy to catch traditional Balinese dance. These performances are religious and artistic expressions of their beliefs and ethnicity, making it great way to observe and experience cultural Ubud. One popular dance you should not miss is the Kecak Dance or Ramayana Monkey Chant. Primarily men perform this unique show at the splendid cliff top stage at Uluwatu, overlooking the Indian Ocean. It uses no musical accompaniment, and the rhythm only comes from the performer’s chanting chorus.

Meet a Traditional Healer or Palm Reader

Long before the book-turned-movie Eat Pray Love became popular, people who have ailments or questions about life meet traditional healers in Ubud. These healers or shamans play an integral role in Bali’s culture. People seek their advice as they channel information from their ancestors that can help those who have mental, emotional, or physical problems. After meeting a shaman, you can combine their advice with some spiritual cleansing ritual for an authentic cultural experience.

Visit temples

Another way to experience and show respect to Ubud’s local culture is by visiting one of their temples. Bali is said to have more than 10,000 religious compounds all over the island so it will not be hard to find a temple where you can pray or observe ceremonies. You can even watch traditional dance performances during festivals and anniversaries. If you are planning to visit a temple, keep in mind that these places are sacred so be sure to dress appropriately. Here’s a list of some of the must-visit temples when in Ubud:

Pura Samuan Tiga  - conveniently located between Ubud and Tampaksiring, this place offers both impressive architecture and captivating views. It is known as a royal temple since it is assumed to be venue for meeting between deities, saints, and Gods

The Moon Temple – this temple is also known as Pura Penataran Sasih. It is the located in Gianyar Regency, about 4 kilometers east of Ubud’s centre. Here, you’ll find the mythological large Bronze Gong called Moon of Pejeng. This gong is said to be largest in Southeast Asia, and dates all the way back from 300 BC.

Gunung Kawi Sebatu Temple  - locally known as Pura Tirta Dawa Gunung Kawi Sebatu, this religious compound is set within the village of Sebatu in Tegallalang, Gianyar. It is frequented by both tourists and locals for its beautiful gardens and ponds that are filled with carp and lotuses.

Go museum hopping

Ubud is dotted with lots of museums, offering a rich collection of Indonesian and global artworks. These are the best places to visit if you wish to better appreciate traditional and contemporary Balinese art. Collectors and art fanatics are encouraged to drop by as many of these artworks are available for purchase.

• Museum Puri Lukisan  - a few minutes’ walk from the Ubud Royal Palace, you will see the museum ideally located inside a beautiful garden. It is a four-gallery building that offers a wide collection of traditional Balinese art, paintings, and woodcarvings. It is recommended to visit each building in a particular sequence to understand the king of patronage of an Ubud palace. Museum Puri Lukisan is open 7 days a week, from 9AM to 6PM.
• Blanco Rennaisance Museum - this museum was named after a Balinese expatriate Antonio Blanco – the most successful artist to ever live in Bali. Up until now, the Blanco family still provides you with a personal tour of the museum so you can better understand the story behind the artworks. Blanco Rennaisance Museum is open daily including holidays, from 9AM to 5PM.
• Agung Rai Museum of Art – A Balinese curator and an entrepreneur owns the island’s one of the biggest art museum – the Agung Rai Museum Art. It has a wide range of private art collections from different eras. It also features some works of Javanese and non-Indonesian artists who lived in Ubud pre-World War 2.

Should you wish to make the most of your cultural tour in Ubud, book a villa at Furama Villas & Spa Ubud. They offer the best accommodation services to help make your stay in Bali convenient and worthwhile.