Denpasar Regency

GENERAL INFORMATION

Denpasar located in the centre of Bali Island, besides representing as a capital of municipality, it is also a provincial capital of Bali, at the same time as governance, economics and education centre. To be seen from the economic and tourism aspect, it’s strategic position, profiting Denpasar because this town is representing as a centre point of various activities, as well as importance connecter among others sub province in Bali.Denpasar position is between 08° 35″ 31′ – 08° 44″ 49′ south longitude and 115° 10″23′- 115° 16″ 27′ east transversal, in the north, south and west side Denpasar is about on Badung sub province, as well as Gianyar in the east side border.

If we looked into Denpasar from the aspect of topography it is generally heel southerly, with an altitude between 0 – 75 meters above the sea level.Denpasar morphology sloping with land inclination most ranging from 0 – 5%, but in the edge part of this region, the inclination can reach a level of 15 %. Administratively, Denpasar city divided 3 sub districts such as: West Denpasar Barat ,East Denpasar and South Denpasar ,43 village/administrative village, width of area about 12.780 ha, consists with 3,147 ha of rice field and 9,633 ha of land which can not be used as a rice field.Width Area: 123, 98 Km2. Once part of Badung Regency, in 1992 the Denpasar area split off and became Bali’s ninth ‘Kabupaten’.

In addition to the island’s capital, Denpasar Regency encompasses Sanur, Benoa Port, and Serangan Island, leaving Badung more pencil-shaped than ever. Denpasar is the largest and busiest city on the island. An old trading center, its name means “East of the market.” It’s the headquarters for the government, the media, the island’s principal banks, airline offices, and hospitals. Bali’s two universities, Udayana and Warmadewa, are also based here. The city’s local name is Badung, its old name, and you’ll hear “Badung” sung out by ‘Bemo’ drivers all over Bali.

Though it’s been the capital of Bali since 1958, it’s no longer the administrative center of Badung Regency. In 1992, Greater Denpasar and Sanur split off from Badung and formed their own administrative entity-Denpasar. A hot, dusty, cacophonous, former Brahman-class city, Denpasar has grown fifteen-fold over the past 10 years and is now home to 367,000 people. Its citizenry consists of Badung’s landed gentry, the priest class, and the new Balinese techno and bureaucratic elite, as well as Indonesians drawn from other islands to this economic magnet. Denpasar is one of Indonesia’s most fully integrated and tolerant cities, with separate ‘Kampung’ of Bugis, Arabs, Indians, Chinese, Madurese, and Javanese.

Without doubt it’s the richest, most important city in eastern Indonesia. Unless you’ve got business here, the city has few charms, other than those quiet back alleyways where people are quite friendly. The most important government offices are located in a tree-shaded administrative complex of handsome reddish brick and gray stone. Industry is low-tech and non-polluting. Denpasar is actually best at night, when it’s not so hot and the individual ‘Kampung’ resume their normal rhythms. It seems the whole population is either directly or indirectly involved in the tourist industry, and you can easily engage people in conversation.

Denpasar’s main one-way east-to-west shopping street, Jalan Gajah Mada, is crammed with chauffeured cars, noisome putt-putting ‘Bemo’, roaring motorcycles, and smelly, spewing buses. The city’s limited attractions include a spacious ‘Alun-alun’, tourist information offices, the island’s main bus stations and best-stocked markets, some good Chinese restaurants, a spirited night market, dance and drama academies, a major art center, first-class museum, and five big cinemas heralding the coming of the next kung fu epic.

Overview

Most of the places of interesting Bali are found in the southern part the island. Traveling overland from Java and making the crossing from Banyuwangi, the ferry harbor at the eastern end of the island, to Gilimanuk on the Bali side of the trail, we can start the trip from Denpasar. Visitors coming in by plane must disembark at Ngurah Rai International Airport , in Denpasar. So, in either case. Denpasar is a convenient point of departure .Denpasar is the capital of Bali province, located about 12 kilometers from Ngurah Rai international Airport. The biggest city on the island. Many decades ago, Denpasar was a small town with narrow roads. Its has since grown in to a crowded city , known throughout the world.

Denpasar has a number places worth visiting. The Bali Museum , in the center of the city, not far from the Puputan Badung Field, was founded in 1910 by the Dutchman W.F. Kroon and was then known by the name Arca Building. The Bali Museum is an ethnographic museum, illustrating the culture of Bali , its history, the people’s the way of life, its art and its religion. In 1925, the main building, in the shape of a traditional Balinese house in the Karang Asem style, was completed. The museum was officially opened in 1932 under the name Bali Museum . Among its valuable collections can be found ancient inscribed stones, statues, old drawings and models of marriage, tooth filing, ngaben (cremation) and other cremations.

The Melanting temple is located near a crowded parking lot. Kumbasari is a crowded shopping center, open every day from morning to night. Various arts and crafts, such as statue, handicrafts and drawings are sold here. A crowded night market, open from noon to well into the night is found at be southern side of this location. The shops offer the usual sundries for sale. There are also numerous restaurant. Satria Market lies at the corner of jalan Nakula and jalan Veteran, at the north side are for sale. Prices are reasonable, but quality is not always guaranteed. The Bird Market, is not far from jalan Veteran, near the gate to the Satria temple.

Various species of birds, such as parakeets, cockatoos, pigeons and peacocks are sold here. Sometime also rabbits. Monkey and puppies. Kreneng Market, in the southern part of denpasar, is also an inter-city us station for routes to the eastern and middle regions of Bali . Shops here are open from morning until night. There are plenty of restaurants. The Supermarket at the north end of Jalan Sudirman is a modern and new shopping facility in Denpasar. A bird park and a playground for children has recently been added. The Sanglah Market, in the north of Denpasar, opens in the morning and is crowded during the day, but is already deserted in the early evening.

There is a fair at the corner of this market, much visited by children and young people. Ubung Bus Station, in the northwest of the city, serves routes to java and the western regions of Bali . There are shops selling fruits, snacks and refreshments. Sindhu Market, in the Sanur Beach area has shops selling art and crafts. A similar market isfound at Kuta Beach , near the end of jalan Bakngsari. Beside arts and crafts, ready-to-wear clothes are also sold here. Jewelry-gold store are found at the corner of jalan Arjuna and jalan Hasanuddin. Antiques are sold around jalan Thamrin.

Ceramics and leather articles, jewelry and gringsing textiles are also sold here. Craft and arts, such as wooden statues carved beds and antiques can be found in shops along Jalan Arjuna and Jalan Gatotkaca. The Werdi Budaya art center is located in the city center. Here, artists work, study, train and sell their work. All the building in the complex follow the Balinese building style. A Kori Agung, or main gate, separates the front yard from inner yard and the open-air theater. Genuine works of art are on permanent display and there are occasional art exhibitions, stage performances and an art appreciation program. Dance lesson for children are given every Sunday morning. Visitors can take a rest in the restaurants. A weekly program can be obtained at the information office.

Sites and Places of Interest in Denpasar Regency :

Denpasar Town Map
(click Image to Enlarge)

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