Walking through the Uniqueness of Penglipuran Village in Bali
Photo by Ruben Hutabarat on Unsplash
Bali is not only about beach tourism. There are interesting tourist objects that can make you more amazed when visiting Bali which has a lot of cultures and natural beauty.
One of the attractions that you can visit is the Penglipuran Traditional Village, it is a village that has been certified as a Sustainable Tourism Village by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy. This village is one of the best cultural villages in the world where it still preserves cultural values in the daily life of its people.
As a tourist village, the infrastructure and facilities in Penglipuran Village are well organized. Moreover, the location of this village is also strategic. Making it a must-visit and popular destination in Bali.
If you’re winding what are the unique things that Penglipuran Village has? Check out the full review below!
1. One of the Cleanest Villages in the World
Image source: https://www.penglipuran.net
Did you know that there are three villages that have been named the cleanest villages in the world? Well, Penglipuran Bali Village is one of them. Because of its cleanliness and uniqueness, this village has won several awards including Kalpataru, ISTA (Indonesia Sustainable Tourism Award) in 2017, and most recently, this village was selected in the Green Destinations Foundation's Sustainable Destinations Top 100 version. Wow, that's great, isn't it?
A row of green plants may be seen when visiting this village. The air and surroundings become colder and more attractive as you travel deeper into the village. You may experience the beauty of Penglipuran Village by wandering slowly since motorbikes are prohibited to prevent air pollution. It is also important to note that littering is forbidden because there is a trash can every 30 metres. So, you don't have any reason to litter, do you?
2. Strolling the Bamboo Forest
Image source: https://www.penglipuran.net/Hutan-Bambu/
It will be even more exciting to visit Penglipuran Village if you don’t miss the bamboo forest that surrounds it. The bamboo forest covers 40 percent of the Penglipuran Village area, what’s more, the bamboo in this village is one of the best bamboo in Bali.
The bamboo forest in Penglipuran Village is being kept as a heritage of the ancestors in order to maintain the balance between humans and nature. The villagers also believe that this bamboo forest is part of the early history of their existence. Not merely a tourist attraction, but this bamboo forest also becomes a water catchment area. As a result, the bamboo forest is also known as a village protecting forest.
Don't be concerned; the woodland is well-protected and well-maintained. Going on an adventure while wandering through this bamboo forest must be a lot of fun. Moreover, this place is so iconic, it’s better for you to not only walk through but also take some self-portraits here, don’t you agree?
3. Having Religious Rituals
Photo by Ruben Hutabarat on Unsplash
Like most villages in Bali, Penglipuran Village also has religious rituals that continue to be carried out until now. One of the big rituals is 'Ngusaba' which is usually held on Nyepi Day. Once every 15 days, the people there will also come to Penataran Temple to pray. This ritual continues to be carried out because it has been taught by traditional elders and passed down by the ancestors.
Cultural values and traditions that are still very well preserved in this village will make you more interested in visiting. Well, if you want to visit the temple, make sure you are in a clean state and are required to wear traditional clothes. Plus, you will be accompanied by a guide while walking around here.
4. Penglipuran Village Festival
Image source: Disparda Bali Website
Another beauty of Penglipuran Village is that this village holds a cultural festival called the Penglipuran Village Festival. This festival is usually held at the end of the year with a series of activities, such as a parade of traditional Balinese clothes, cultural arts parades, and various competitions. When this festival is held, usually the number of tourists will boom to watch performances that showcase Balinese art and culture.
In addition, you can also shop for souvenirs here, such as accessories, knick-knacks, rattan bags, and various kinds of homemade food and drinks. Usually, the people around here sell those stuff in front of their house, so you can look around more freely. Don't be shy to visit their house because the villagers are very kind and friendly to tourists.
5. Loloh Cemcem, a Fresh and Healthy Drink from Penglipuran Village
Image source: kemenkeu Indonesia website
For those of you who have never been to the Panglipuran Tourism Village, in this village you are allowed to visit the villagers' houses. Many villagers sell souvenirs and plant seeds. This tourism development also encourages the growth of home industries that provide food and beverages, one of them is Loloh Cemcem.
Loloh Cemcem is a homemade beverage in Bali which is widely produced and marketed in Panglipuran Village, Bangli Regency. At first glance, this drink looks like herbal medicine, but it doesn't taste bitter at all, instead, it is fresh and healthy. This drink is usually sold and packaged in bottles. You can also find it in several food stalls all over Bali, especially in tourist destinations.
Tips for Exploring Penglipuran Village
Walking through Penglipuran Village will give you an unforgettable experience. Well, we have some tips that you need to know when visiting here.
- Respect local customs and traditions.
- Obey all the rules that apply to the villagers.
- Dispose of trash in the trash can provided.
- Wear polite and comfortable clothes.
- Greet and be friendly to the villagers.
- Respect the villagers by not touching the displays or objects around the village.
- Respect the religion of the villagers by not haphazardly entering houses of worship.
- Capture your moments in various spots politely.
With the recommendations of these tips, exploring Penglipuran Village will be even more fun!
Location of Penglipuran Village
The location of Penglipuran village is in Kubu Village, Bangli Regency. This village is located in the highlands at an altitude of approximately 700 meters above sea level. Because Penglipuran village is at an altitude, this makes the air feel very cool and sometimes the village will be shrouded in fog.
Way to Go There
If you are from Kuta, then the distance taken from Kuta beach to Penglipuran Village is about 55 kilometres, with a travel time of approximately 2 hours if the traffic is smooth. If you are from Seminyak, then you will cover about 59 kilometres and it takes approximately 2 hours.
Meanwhile, there is no public transportation to get to Penglipuran Village. So, the best choice, if we want to get around Bali, is to use private transportation using a car or motorbike.
Final Thoughts
Visiting Penglipuran Village in Bali while on vacation will give you a lot of new knowledge and valuable experience. In addition to learning about Balinese culture, you may also experience the natural beauty of Penglipuran Village and its environs.
However, do not forget to remain polite and respect all the local customs. Be a good tourist by appreciating and respecting the cultural values of the destinations you visit.
Happy Holliday, peeps!
