Welcome to BADUNG REGENCY
From the central highlands in the north of Bal, the regency of Badung stretches southward in a narrow ribbon to the Nusa Dua Peninsula, also known as Bukit Badung. In contrast to the rich volcanic plains of the north, the Peninsula consists of an elevated limestone plateau. Kuta and Jimbaran are situated in the north and west of the peninsula respectively. Sanur is in the east and the famous Nusa Dua resort area is on the eastern tip of the peninsula itself.
Concerned with the "immorality" of the hippie communes that had developed in Kuta in the 1960's the local government had decided to isolate future tourist resort. The development of Nusa Dua in the 1980's had thus been carefully planned.
Today, while Kuta is still synonymous with sun, fun and youth, Nusa Dua is home t the five-star resort. Tanjung Benoa, Jimbaran, Sawangan and Batu Pageh ( Bali Beach ) are the latest additions to the list of attractions that Badung has to offer.
During the dry season, the scrub and bushes give Bukit Badung a weird Mediterranean air. No rice paddies up to 200m above sea level, ringed to the south and southwest by cliff with small beaches. The view over the white sand and breakers is best at sunset.
Bukit Badung is famous among surfers for its long, white rollers. The best surfing is at Suluban, Labuhan Sait and Bingi. For hikers , paths run along much of the cliff , while the inland region has many prehistoric caves including Gua Selonding.
The famous Pura luhur Uluwatu temple is an architectural marvel situated on a headland at the western tip of the plateau. According to the local tradition, the first Uluwatu temple was built the 11th century. In the 16th century, it was rebuilt into its current state. The temple has some of the most exquisite architecture in Bali. The carvings make in the unusually hard entrance gate is shaped as curved Garuda (eagle) wings. Inside, a second gate is topped by the monstrous head of Kala, with two statues of Gana at its foot.

Nusa Dua
Nusa Dua and nearby Tanjung Benoa are in wold of their own, where the idea of tourism insulated from the Balinese environment has been implemented. Some of the most famous hotels in Asia are to be found here; among them the Hilton, the Hyatt, and Club Med. Their neo-Balinese architecture ( giant split gates, huge statues and halls) complements the beautiful natural surroundings of white sandy beaches, pristine water and the ubiquitous palm trees, to provide all the ingredients of a tropical paradise.
Nusa Dua differs from the rest of the Bukit Peninsula. In place of cliff, sandy doil descends to a long white beach stretching from Nusa Dua proper all the way to Tanjung Benoa harbor, five kilometers to the north. The beach at Nusa Dua is sheltered by coral reef, creating an ideal family beach, while Tanjung Benoa specializes in water sports.
The Bukit peninsula is connected to the rest of Bali by a narrow neck of land. Here, the Jimbaran bay area has one of the safest and most tranquil white beaches on the whole island. Jimbaran is renowned for the Barong (trance) dance. It also has Pura Ulun Siwi, a beautiful temple made of brick.

Kuta
To the north of the Bukit peninsula is the popular beach resort of Kuta. Its claim to fame owes much to two things: its beach (original Bali's best) and the sunset. The beachfront is now host to star hotels, except for Legian and Seminyak, where much of the social scene is now centered. The main shops are located along Legian street.
Beach bungalows first opened in Kuta in the 1930's but mass tourism did not start here until late 60's. During this period, Kuta boomed, becoming known as a hippie haven. The bamboo beach bungalow were turned into losmen, then into hotels. T-shirts sold on the beach were replaced by a thriving garment and handicraft industry. The hippies either left or struck it rich, and Kuta has become one of the most dynamic places in Indonesia: a place to encounter new ideas and lifestyles and a place to experience all manner of pleasures.

Other Places of Interest
Other resort to the south of Kuta is Tuban. Originally part of Kuta, it now claims an independent status. To the west of Kuta are the new resort of Petiteget (with its beautiful temple), Canggu and Seseh. Most of the places of interest in the nortern part of Badung regency are on the main roads leading out of Denpasar to the north and west.
Just out side Denpasar, on the road westwards to Tabanan, is the village of Kapal, home to a small earthenware industry. But Kapal is better known for th Pura Sadha temple. With its multi-tiered prasadha shrine. And Pura Pusch temple has some interesting Ramayana reliefs.
Further west is the little town of Mengwi, which has one of the grandest temples of the island, Taman Ayun. Until the end of the last century, Mengwi was one of the main island kingdoms, and this temple was built around 1740. Pura Taman Ayun is a water garden temple, symbolizing the cosmic union of sea and mountain. You can even row in the moat in a rented boat. The architectural structure has three parts, duplicating the order of the cosmos-nista (impure/demonic); madia (middle/human); and utama (godly) - corresponding to the three successive courts. The shrines are made and decorated in the finest traditions of Balinese carving.
To the north of Mengwi is the famous Monkey Forest at Sangeh, set in the heart of the only primary forest in southern Bali. This forest consists entirely of Pala (nutmeg) trees. The monkeys living here are considered sacred, an association from the Ramayana epic, wherein Prince Rama allied himself with the monkey hero Hanoman to attack Alengka. Some of the forest trees are also considered sacred and hence used to make barong. After Sangeh, the road heads northwards to Kintamani past some beautiful scenery near Plaga.