Karangasem

About Karangasem

Karangasem is Bali's easternmost regency, facing the Lombok Strait, with its capital at Amlapura. It is dominated by Mount Agung, Bali's highest peak, whose 1963 eruption killed around 1,900 people.

The regency is home to Pura Besakih, Bali's mother temple, the Lempuyang temple gates, the water palace at Tirta Gangga and Tenganan, a Bali Aga village that keeps pre-Hindu traditions.

The regency is divided into eight districts, Rendang, Sidemen, Manggis, Karangasem, Abang, Bebandem, Selat and Kubu, with 75 villages and 3 urban kelurahan. Puri Agung Karangasem is a group of royal palaces of the old Karangasem kingdom, whose king Anak Agung Agung Anglurah Ketut Karangasem built the Ujung Water Palace. On the coast, Padangbai in Manggis district is the ferry port for Lembar on Lombok and the Gili Islands. Candidasa is a base for exploring the east coast, Amed is a beach town, and at Tulamben the wreck of the USAT Liberty lies about 25 metres offshore, its top around 5 metres below the surface, a short swim from the beach and suitable for divers of all levels. It suits divers and travellers heading on to Lombok.