Frequented by honeymooners and avid beach lovers alike the holiday Mecca of Bali is Indonesia’s chief tourist attraction. Littered with white, sandy beaches and idyllic tropical landscapes this island haven is renowned as a vacation destination for the masses. There are however more potent and unique reasons to fly down to this popular touristic hotspot as the island also serves as the cultural heartland of its home country with over 10,000 ancient religious edifices to its name. The sheer number of shrines tucked away within the island’s fringes has led to the popular claim that the temples in the locality outnumber the number of households occupying the island. Built during various periods in Balinese history the ocean, mountain or sunrise facing temples are best explored on a sunset tour that lets visitors explore the mystical surroundings of these age old religious points of interest in the magical hours as dusk sets in.
With an average duration of around 5 hours a typical sunset tour of the temples in Bali will encompass the must-see highlights among the locale’s premier shrines. The Uluwatu Temple is one such prime attraction that is part of almost every tour of Bali available. Perched on a cliff bank with waves crashing beneath, the Hindu shrine of Uluwatu is one of the six temples that are Bali’s spiritual cornerstones. Protected by mischievous monkeys who dispel evil spirits according to local belief this picturesquely situated place of worship is the picture of mysticism during the evening hours.
The Mengwi Taman Ayun Temple is another highlight featured on most sunset temple tours as this centuries old shrine within a scenic garden served as the royal family’s private shrine as far back as 1634. Decorated with lotus ponds and fish ponds this enclosure also houses several courtyards boasting remnants of traditional architectural elements.
The Tanah Lot Temple is another location in Bali that is simply spectacular during sunset as this floating shrine is perched atop a rocky promontory. Located in Tabanan Regency this venerated temple is devoted to sea deities and only accessible during low tide. Other must-see temple structures in Bali include Besakih Temple, Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, Tirta Empul Temple and Gunung Kawi while Pura Penataran Sasih moon temple is also worth exploring.
Visitors in search of luxury Uluwatu hotels will find no finer alternative to the elegant Anantara Bali Uluwatu Resort & Spa. Ideally located on an expansive property with stunning tropical vistas this stylish rest is one of the finest Bali resorts in Indonesia.
