BEDUGULÂ
Bedugul is a beautiful resort district located around the mountains and lakes of central north Bali near Lake Beratan. Just 50 kms north of Denpasar heading towards Singaraja, Bedugul enjoys a mild mountain climate due to an altitude of 1,500 metres (4,900 ft) above sea level. Other sites to include on your itinerary are Lake Buyan and Lake Tamblingan. The area around the lakes and surrounding rainforest are designated as a spiritual precinct and protected from further development.
Major sites in Bedugul are the Pura Ulun Danu Beratan Water Temple and the Bedugul Botanic Garden. The Botanic Garden was opened in 1959 and is the largest botanical garden in Indonesia with 160 hectares devoted to unique botanical collections and a tropical rain forest walking trail.
LAKE BERATAN
Lake Beratan is located in the cooler mountain climate of Bedugul, within the district of Tabanan. As the most eastern lake located between Tamblingan and Buyan Lakes, Lake Beratan is uniquely surrounded by the crater walls of an extinct volcano Mount Catur. This is the perfect place to take a tour or hire a boat or canoe to explore around the lake.
On the western shore the mystical Pura Ulun Danau Bratan temple appears to float on the water and is set in formal tropical gardens. The Temple was built in 1633 by the King of Mengwi to honour the Goddess of the Lake (Dewi Danu) who provides the blessing of water for irrigation. Along with the temple at Lake Batur, The Pura Ulun Danau Bratan, is regarded as the most important of the various irrigation temples in Bali. Also of interest is the temple in the middle of the lake, devoted to the Goddess Sang Hyang Danu as the giver of fertility.
With beautiful forested lake views, luxury resorts and accommodation options, Lake Beratan is a peaceful haven and feels far away from the hassle of the beach resorts.
BEDUGUL BOTANIC GARDEN
The Bedugul Botanic Garden (Kebun Raya Eka Karya Bali) was established under the auspices of Indonesia’s first president Sukarno on July 15, 1959. As a branch of the National Botanic Gardens in Bogor, the garden covers nearly 130 hectares on the slopes of Mount Pohon (Pohon means tree in Indonesian). The entire Botanic Garden is located on 160 hectares of protected land, rising between 1,250 meters to 1,450 meters above sea level.
There are over 2,000 species of plants and 20,000 plant specimens ranging from orchids, roses and medicinal plants to palms and Cyatheas. There is a stunning view of Lake Buyan and the surrounding natural environment is well known for bird watching. Visitors also come to the Botanic Garden for health benefits from the soil that is said to be useful for skin aliments.
The main Pura Teratai Bang Balinese temple is located within the Garden (see map at the entrance), and other temples can be found throughout the Garden.
The Eka Karya Botanical Garden won the Cipta Pesona Award 2011 from the Culture and Tourism Ministry in recognition of its outstanding work in environmental and cultural tourism attractions.
