We all know about Bali’s magnificent beaches. But there is so much more to the island than sand and ocean. 

There are some truly incredible and beautiful villages that aren’t often visited by tourists.

Penglipuran Village is located in Bangli Regency. It is a traditional village, with the title as one of the cleanest villages in the world! 

When entering, there is not a single piece of trash to be seen.

Visitors will be greeted by rows of beautiful green plants, finished off with a soothing mountain view. The air feels clean, and fresh. 

Where is Penglipuran Village?

Penglipuran Village is one of nine traditional villages in Bali.

According to local legend, the village has existed since 700 years ago, during the time of the Bangli Kingdom.

The story states that Penglipuran Village was a gift from the King of Bangli to the people who fought against the Kingdom of Gianyar.

Quoted from stories passed down from generation to generation, there are a few stories believed to be the origin of the name of the village;

  • Comes from the words pengeling and pura, meaning ‘a place to remember the temple’, as well as to remember its ancestors.
  • From the words pelipur (consolation) and lara (sore). This village is expected to be a place to cheer up in times of sadness and also as a place for residents to comfort the king in times of trouble.

At first, the village wanted to maintain the culture of its ancestors. But in the 90’s, the construction of small gardens and rearrangement of the setup brought in tourists from all over the world drawn to its beauty. 

In 1993, this traditional village became Penglipuran Tourism Village.

Join a tour of Penglipuran Village to find the hidden secrets.

What Makes the Village so Interesting?

Despite its beauty and history, there are many reasons why tourists are lured to see the traditional village.

Here are a few;

Named the Cleanest Village in the World

Penglipuran village is the third cleanest village in the world according to the Green Destinations Foundation – after Mawlynnong Village in India and Giethoorn in the Netherlands.

Scattered garbage, noisy traffic jams, and air pollution are nowhere to be found.

In order to maintain its cleanliness, the locals have provided trash cans throughout the village. In fact, they place a trash can every 30 meters!

Strict rules

The village has a number of strict customary rules. One of them is the prohibition of using any motorized vehicles to keep the air quality clean.

Tourists who want to get around have to walk or bicycle.

Unique and Traditional Architecture

Architecturally, the houses in Penglipuran Village are super unique compared to other Balinese houses with a uniform pattern.

The shape of the buildings is called ‘angkul-angkul’ or bow.

Every family home in Penglipuran Village has bedrooms, living areas and places for prayer. 

Awards

Penglipuran Village has received several other prestigious awards, such as the Indonesia Sustainable Tourism Award (ISTA) in 2017, and the Sustainable Destinations Top 100 version of the Green Destinations Foundation.

Incorporating Ancestral Traditions in the Homes

The Balinese Tri Mandala concept is used throughout the village, especially in the homes.

Tri Mandala is the division of land into three zones based on the value of holiness – starting from the north as the holiest place, to the south as the most unholy place.

The holiest realm is used for places of worship, the middle space  for daily activities, and the outside is used as a place to dry clothes or cattle pens.

The Village Layout

The village layout also uses the Tri Mandala concept.

In the north of the village are the places of worship. One of them, Penataran Temple, is a place to worship Lord Brahma who is the creator of the entire universe, according to Hindu belief.

In the middle of the village, in the mandala intermediate zone, is used as a residential area.

The most ‘unholy’ zone in the south is the nista mandala where the cemetery is located. 

Protective Bamboo Forest

About 40% of the village is surrounded by bamboo forests.

It it maintained and preserved to this day as a form of protecting the heritage of the ancestors, and is a manifestation of maintaining the balance between humans and nature.

Local people believe that the forest is part of the early history of their existence. 

Final Thoughts

There is A LOT of incredible places to be explored in Bali.

Along with beautiful landscapes, it is rich in arts and culture. Penglipuran Village is just one of the magnificent sites.

By maintaining the traditions and culture of their ancestors, the village is even more attractive.