Bali Temples Are Showing More Tourists A Glimpse Of Island’s Incredible History

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The island of Bali is currently welcoming an average of 18,000 tourists a day. As demand for travel on the island continues to grow, it is clear that tourists are heading to Bali for more than simply sun, sand, and sea.

More tourists are showing a genuine interest in exploring the island’s incredible culture, past and present. 

Tanah Lot Temple in Tabanan Regency is one of the most spiritually significant landmarks in the province, it is also one of the most popular temples with international tourists who want to better understand Balinese Hinduism and the history of the island. 

Travel data shows that Tanah Lot Temple has been visited by 1.6 million tourists so far this year, with over 155,000 visits last month alone.

The Operations Manager of Tanah Lot Temple, Wayan Sudiana, told reporters that as more tourists visit the site, more can be done to elevate the tourist experience. 

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He shared, “We from Tanah Lot management are committed to continuing to maintain cleanliness and safety. This is to improve the visiting experience with a number of initiatives.”

Sudiana continued, “Our programs, including building small traders corners and reforestation, these are part of our efforts to provide maximum benefits for local communities and tourists.”

For many tourists planning their vacations along the southern coast of Bali Tanah Lot Temple is the most easily accessible major temple to visit from resorts like Canggu, Seminyak, and Legian. 

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Located in Tabanan Regency, Tanah Lot Temple can be reached from central Canggu in one hour by car.

The temple, which sits on a rocky island off the beach, is one of the most important temples to Balinese Hindus.

It is known as the most photographed temple on the island and is a popular attraction for international and domestic visitors. 

The temple is a shrine to Dewa Baruna, also referred to as Bhatara Segara, who is the Balinese Hindu god of the sea.

The deity Nirartha is also often worshiped at Tanah Lot Temple. The island rock is also believed to be guarded by venomous sea snakes who protect the temple against evil spirits and malicious intruders. 

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The temple was restored in the 1980s after years of ocean erosion wore away at the rocky outcrop. The Indonesian government partnered with the Japanese government to embark on a USD 480 million restoration project to bring Tanah Lot and other temples in the area back to their former glory. 

Located just a short walk away from the iconic Tanah Lot Temple is Batu Belong Temple. Tourists are able to visit Batu Bolong Temple and Tanah Lot Temple on the same entry ticket, and for those interested in learning more about Bali’s cultural history, exploring both sites is not to be missed. 

As is the case with visiting any temple or sacred sites in Bali, tourists must dress modestly and wear a sarong. To dress modestly means to have shoulders and knees covered.

Visitors are reminded that the temples are still in daily, hourly, use by the community.

Tourists should be considerate when taking photos, especially if there are community members in worship.  

While the vast majority of tourists heading to Bali stay in Badung Regency, neighboring Tabanan Regency has so much culture and natural beauty to explore.

Tabanan Regency is also home to the stunning Ulun Dan Beratan Temple, which is also a picture postcard landmark of the island.

A visit to the Lake Beratan Temple is a wonderful full-day trip from the southern beaches, which takes tourists on a scenic drive through some of the island’s most beautiful landscapes.

A stop off at the world-famous Jatiluwuh Rice Terraces and the Taman Pujaan Bangsa Margarana Memorial Park on a day trip from Tanah Lot through to Ulun Dan Beratan Temple, accompanied by lunch at a local warung gives tourists a comprehensive introduction to Bali’s culture and history.