Penglipuran Village

Penglipuran is a traditional Balinese village in the cool highlands of Bangli regency, around 700 metres above sea level. It’s famous for its single, gently sloping main street, lined on both sides by almost identical family compounds whose carved gateways (angkul-angkul), walls and gardens follow the same traditional layout. Cars and motorbikes are banned from the street, and the village is known as one of the cleanest in the world.

The community runs tourism itself under customary village (desa adat) rules, and ticket income supports village life and conservation. Visitors can walk the lane, peek into courtyards where families invite you in, and learn how the traditional village plan reflects Balinese cosmology.

What to see

The village is laid out along a north-south axis following the Tri Mandala concept: the sacred temple Pura Penataran at the top (the most holy, mountainward end), residential compounds in the middle and the cemetery at the lower end. Each compound contains a family shrine, kitchen, sleeping pavilions and a rice barn. Behind the village lies a large bamboo forest, which the community protects as a sacred and practical resource – you’ll see bamboo used for roofs and walls. Near the entrance stands a monument to Balinese independence hero Captain Anak Agung Gede Anom Mudita. Many households sell loloh cemcem, a sour herbal drink made from local leaves, along with snacks and crafts.

How to visit

• Since 2026 entry is sold as a visiting package: a basic option for the main areas or a higher-priced option that includes a local guide.
• Walk up the street to the temple, then take the path into the bamboo forest for a shady loop.
• Arrive early in the morning to see the village before tour buses reach it.
• Around Galungan and Kuningan, tall decorated penjor poles line the street – a spectacular time to visit.

Etiquette & dress

Remember that people live here. Only enter a compound if invited, remove shoes when entering living spaces, and ask before photographing residents. Wear modest clothing covering shoulders and knees; a sarong is needed to enter the temple. Keep voices low, don’t litter – cleanliness is the village’s pride – and don’t smoke in the lane. Buying a drink or snack from a family is a good way to give back.

The village is at altitude, so mornings are cool and fresh; bring a light layer. The combination of well-kept gardens, flowers and mountain air makes it a pleasant contrast to Bali’s busy south.

Plan a leisurely pace: the appeal lies in small details such as carved doorways, offerings on each threshold and flowers tended by residents.

Combine it with

• Pura Kehen, a grand terraced temple in Bangli town, 10 minutes away.
• Kintamani and Mount Batur, about 30–40 minutes north.
• Tirta Empul in Tampaksiring, 30 minutes west.
• Kertha Gosa in Klungkung, 30 minutes south.