Klungkung Regency Bali

Discover the Smallest Regency Rich in Culture and Offshore Islands

Tihingan Village

Kerta Gosa Klungkung

Nusa Lembongan

Klungkung Regency, Bali

Klungkung is a regency located in South Bali. Meaning "happiness" or "beauty," Klungkung is Bali's smallest regency. It is situated on the southeastern coast of Bali and includes the islands of Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan. The great Unda River flows through Klungkung and passes through many beautiful villages.

Semarapura Town and Historical Sites

The town of Klungkung, called Semarapura, is a bustling commercial center, and its market is the largest in Bali. However, the main tourist lures are the Kerta Gosa and the Bale Kambang.

A magnificent example of Klungkung architecture, the Kerta Gosa was used as a venue for the administration of justice by kings and priests during pre-colonial times. It is surrounded by a moat, and its ceilings are decorated with beautiful paintings depicting tortures in hell and happiness in heaven. The Bale Kambang (Floating Pavilion) stands behind the Kerta Gosa. Its painted ceilings depict the legend of the hero Sutasoma and his sacrifices, as well as Pan and Men Brayut, known as a couple who had too many children.

Another beautiful royal temple in Klungkung is the Pura Taman Sari, featuring a moat-surrounded pagoda in a lush garden.

Kamasan Art and Culture

The home of traditional Balinese paintings is derived from Balinese variations of the ancient Hindu epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. This style has also been adapted for large versions of zodiac and lunar calendars. Kamasan paintings take their essential characteristics from the wayang tradition. To see a good collection of classical Kamasan paintings, visit the Nyoman Gunarsa Museum at the crossroads of Tihingan, just before Semarapura.

Surrounding Attractions: Goa Lawah and Kusamba

A few kilometers east is Goa Lawah, the Bat Cave, crowded with thousands of bats which are unseen but certainly not unheard of during the day. The cave is part of a temple that is said to connect with an underground tunnel leading all the way to Besakih.

Beyond Semarapura is the coastal village of Kusamba, one of the embarkation points to the islands of Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan. The journey by boat from Kusamba (or Sanur) to these islands takes up to 90 minutes.

The Offshore Islands

Nusa Penida

Nusa Penida has unfortunately acquired a somewhat notorious reputation, as it was once a place of exile for criminals and undesirables from the Kingdom of Klungkung. Today, Nusa Penida attracts a number of visitors for its seclusion, surf, and snorkeling.

Few facilities exist for tourists, but there are a few losmens (simple homestays) and a number of small warungs (simple shops that offer a variety of daily needs, ready-made meals, and snacks). The island does have some interesting temples, including the "very spooky" Pura Ped near the market town of Toyapakeh and Pura Batukuning near Sewana. There is also a huge limestone cave, Goa Karangsari, about a kilometer from Sewana. Toyapakeh also has a ferry crossing to Nusa Lembongan.

Nusa Lembongan

The friendly people of Nusa Lembongan welcome tourism. For people looking for white sandy beaches and a laid-back atmosphere, Nusa Lembongan is a paradise. The waters around Lembongan are crystal clear, the sand is white, and the shallow coves are brimming with colorful coral and sea life, making it an ideal location for snorkeling.