City Guide: Ubud

     Ubud bears the stamp of Balinese culture.

     Ubud makes a half of Bali’s tourism with visitors to the Indonesian Island opting to travel to the gentle slopes to Ubud for at least a couple of days. It is no surprise Ubud lures tourists for its rich Balinese culture and art.

     The full immersion in everything Balinese has lifted Ubud to prominence as a cultural center. You can experience all art and culture in Ubud during your stay in the town. Be it a room in cheap hotels in Ubud to luxury offers all available with maps, photos and secure forms at Booked.net.

     Among the numerous museums and galleries, the largest share of masterpieces in Ubud can be found in the Neka Art Museum. It offers more than 400 art works from classical paintings to those with Western influences, all collected by Suteja Neka, a famous art connoisseur.

     You may also whet your appetite for art in the nearby Arie Smit building dedicated to the life and work of Arie Smit, native to Holland, he has been an Indonesian citizen for most of his life. But Smit isn't the only one who has relocated to Ubud for inspiration.

     Walter Spies, prominent artist whose works are treasured in ARMA – a local museum, also lived and worked in Ubud. Today his works are in high demand at auction, for example in Singapore one his paintings was sold for US$750, 000.

Other attractions include;

- Goa Gajah features a cave from the 9^th century

- Pura Kehen, the most beautiful temple in Bali founded in 1206

- Tirta Empul, the holiest temple in Bali

- Yeh Pulu, a complex of rock carvings near Goa Gajah but less known

- Museum Rudana with a wide range of Balinese paintings

     If sightseeing makes you tired, test your nerves on a jungle trek, riding an elephant at Bali Elephant Safari Park or take a lesson of Balinese street dancing and painting. As you are in Ubud, soak up its rural charm with chickens, ducks and cats wandering the town’s suburbs.

     But don't expect some unique neighborhoods in Ubud as the city is totally tourist-oriented with both cheap and luxury hotels in the center and the edges of the city. Whatever stay in Ubud you prefer, Booked.net will meet both your taste and budget.