The charm that Bali offers seems endless. Each location offers its own charm that can enchant tourists to come back again. Starting from the calming beaches, the amazing natural landscape, the spectacular underwater charm, the harmony of the people, to the culinary delights that shake the tongue.
So, one of the locations that must be on your bucket list when you go to Bali is Penglipuran Village which is located in Bangli Regency, Bali. The name is certainly familiar, isn’t it, because Penglipuran Village is a traditional village that is the favorite of tourism in Bali. It is not without reason that Penglipuran Village is a popular destination and must be visited because of its unique features. What are they? Check out the complete review below!
1 | Named the Cleanest Village in the World
Did Pesona Friends know that there are three villages that have been named the cleanest villages in the world? Well, Penglipuran Village Bali is one of them. Thanks to its cleanliness and tidiness, this tourist village located in Bangli has also succeeded in winning several awards including Kalpataru, ISTA (Indonesia Sustainable Tourism Award) in 2017, and most recently, this destination was included in the Green Destinations Foundation’s Sustainable Destinations Top 100. Wow, what an achievement, Pesona Friends!
When you enter this village, Pesona Friends will be greeted with rows of green plants. The more Pesona Friends enter the village area, the cooler and more beautiful the air and view will feel with views of the plant fences that decorate the entire village area. Friends of Pesona, when you go around this village, it is forbidden to use motorized vehicles, okay? This is done to keep the environment of Penglipuran Village free from pollution. So, Pesona Friends can explore the uniqueness of Penglipuran Village on foot, OK? Apart from that, Pesona Friends are also prohibited from throwing rubbish carelessly. In Penglipuran Village, rubbish bins are provided every 30 meters. So, there’s no longer any excuse for not being orderly in throwing out the trash, Pesona Friends!
2 | Village Spatial Planning with the Tri Mandala Concept
As a traditional village that still upholds the noble values of its ancestors, the spatial planning of Penglipuran Village also carries traditional standards that have been passed down from generation to generation. Yes, this village was built with the Tri Mandala Concept, where the village layout is divided into three areas, namely Utama Mandala, Madya Mandala, and Nista Mandala.
The regional divisions are ordered from the northernmost region to the southernmost region. In the northern region, there is Utama Mandala. This area is a holy place or place of the gods. This is also where the place of worship was established. In the middle, there is a zone called Madya Mandala. The middle zone is a residential area, where people’s houses are built in rows along the main road. Meanwhile, the southernmost area is called Nista Mandala. This place is a special zone for resident burials.
3 | The Bamboo Forest is the Village Protector
The excitement of a safe #InIndonesiaAja holiday, especially in Penglipuran Village, will increase when Pesona Friends walk through the bamboo forest which covers 45 hectares or around 40 percent of the total area of Penglipuran Village. The bamboo forest that surrounds this village continues to be maintained and preserved today as a form of preserving the heritage of our ancestors and a concrete manifestation of maintaining the balance between humans and nature. Local people also believe that this bamboo forest is part of the early history of their existence. Apart from that, this bamboo forest not only functions to beautify itself, but also functions as a water catchment area. That is why this bamboo forest is also often referred to as a village protective forest.
4 | Has a Religious Ritual that Continues to be Performed at Penglipuran Luhur Temple
Like other traditional villages in Bali, Penglipuran Village also has religious rituals that continue to be carried out to this day. One of the big rituals is Ngusaba which is usually carried out to welcome Nyepi Day. Apart from that, every 15 days, the people there will also come to Penataran Temple to pray. This ritual continues to be carried out because it has been taught by traditional elders and is a teaching passed down by the ancestors.
5 | Unique Culinary Dishes of Loloh Cemcem and Tipat Cantok
A #InIndonesiaAja holiday isn’t complete if you haven’t tried the typical culinary delights of the destinations you visit. Well, in Penglipuran Village there are also unique culinary delights that you must try, namely loloh cemcem and tipat cantok. Loloh cemcem is a special drink made from cemcem leaves or loncing leaves which are effective for improving digestion. This drink is also made traditionally and is guaranteed not to use preservatives or artificial sweeteners. For food, Penglipuran Village has one mainstay menu, namely tipat cantok. This snack is a heavy meal consisting of ketupat and boiled vegetables which are then served with peanut sauce.
6 | Penglipuran Village Festival
Another charm offered by Penglipuran Village is a cultural festival called the Penglipuran Village Festival. This event is usually held at the end of the year with a series of various activities, starting from the Balinese traditional clothing parade, Barong Ngelawang, arts and culture parade, and various other competitions. Every time this agenda is held, usually the number of tourists will overflow to watch various activities that showcase Balinese art and culture.
With all the natural beauty, unique culture and strong traditional traditions, of course Pesona Friends will be satisfied when touring Penglipuran Village. Pesona Friends will truly feel the atmosphere of an authentic and still beautiful Balinese village. However, don’t forget to remain polite and respect local customs. Apart from that, what is no less important is continuing to comply with health protocols while traveling to support a comfortable #InIndonesiaAja holiday. Be a responsible tourist by wearing a mask, washing your hands frequently, and maintaining a safe distance from other people. Because by taking care of yourself, you also take care of the people around you, Pesona Friends.