Singaraja translates as Lion King and is an old port city on the north coast of Bali. The second largest city on the island was the capital of the province of Bali until Indonesia’s independence and is still the administrative center of the Buleleng region. Singaraja was founded in 1604 with the construction of the royal palace “Puri Agung Buleleng”, which is still preserved today and is considered a landmark of the city.
From 1848 to 1945 Bali was colonially owned by Holland and Singaraja, thanks to the perfect harbor for their ships, formed the capital of the island. 13 years after the declaration of independence, in 1968, the administration of Singaraja was transferred to Denpasar.
Not many places on the island feel the influence of the former colonial power Holland so strongly. The European influence can hardly be overlooked. Here, some well-preserved colonial buildings adorn the cityscape and the unusually wide streets are lined with trees.
Despite the historical significance, almost no tourists stray to Singaraja. But why is that? And is it worthwhile to pay a visit to the former capital?
Where is Singaraja?
Singaraja is located about 2.5 hours from Denpasar International Airport on the north coast of the island of Bali. From Ubud it takes about 2 hours by car. The resort area of Lovina is only a 20 minute drive away. Also within 20 minutes are the waterfalls “Gitgit” and “Aling-Aling” and the Banjar Hotsprings.
Singaraja Cityscape
The old port city is not necessarily on the radar of tourists. But why actually?
Singaraja’s beautiful and well-preserved architecture bears witness to the former colonial era, and the whitewashed warehouses in the area of the harbor are reminiscent of the old days when the trade in spices, tobacco and vanilla still flourished. In the south of the city, narrow, winding streets invite you to stroll with flair, and in 1995 Singaraja even won a national award as the cleanest and most well-kept city. So there are several reasons to have a look at Singaraja. But these are not all.
The university town is considered a cultural center and has a noticeable multicultural flair. Near the harbor, for example, is the “Kampung Arab” district, which reflects the Arab influence. In addition, one feels strong Chinese influences and so the largest Chinese temple is one of the urban attractions.
Sights in and around Singaraja
Chinese temple Ling Gwan Kion
Bali does not have many Chinese temples. The largest of them is located in Singaraja near the harbor. Built in 1837, the “Klenteng” named Ling Gwan Kion is accessible via a bridge that crosses a lotus pond and houses some golden Buddha statues.
Former Royal Palace Puri Agung Buleleng
The kings of Buleleng lived in this palace since the beginning of the 17th century. The last king of this dynasty was Anak Agung Panji Tisna (1908-1978). He took over the title from his father in 1944 and was one of the most famous writers of Bali. In the palace you can admire the former residence of the monarchs and see old pictures of the royal family.
Lontar Museum Gedong Kirtya
In the front part of the palace you can find a museum dedicated to Lontar art. It offers a whole library full of Lontar manuscripts. The old writings are a relic of past times. Here, Balinese people carved their knowledge and wisdom into palm leaves with the finest handwork and bound them into a kind of book. In the museum more than 1700 of these traditional books are kept in wooden boxes. You can also find bronze signs from the tenth century.
Worth seeing is also the traditional royal weaving mill, where the typical for the region, Buleleng sarongs and clothes are produced.
Banyuasri Market
If you want to soak up typical Indonesian life, you can join the hustle and bustle at the market. The “Banyuasri” is located in the center of Singaraja and offers everything for daily use. Here Balinese people buy fruits, vegetables, fish, meat and clothes at reasonable prices in the morning hours. In the evening hours it becomes a night market offering typical Balinese dishes and snacks.
Beach Pantai Penimbangan
The city beach of Singaraja is called PP for short by the locals and is a popular place among them to pass the time with friends in the evening or on the weekend. There are a few local restaurants and beach vendors here that offer grilled corn, among other things.
Sekumpul Waterfall
Easily accessible from Singaraja is the impressive Sekumpul Waterfall. This one requires an approach of about 20 kilometers and a relatively short walk through a fascinating landscape. You will be rewarded with a unique natural highlight that will certainly be remembered.
Conclusion – For whom is a visit to Singaraja worthwhile?
If you want to experience the completely authentic Bali and dive into the Indonesian culture, this is the right place for you. Because Singaraja has almost no tourism infrastructure and is not designed for travelers, you can still experience the real and pure Bali.
Singaraja is a normal, Indonesian city full of people who live, study and work here. This also means that the cuisine is exclusively geared towards Indonesian palates. So if you want to try typical Balinese dishes, you are in good hands here. But beware: it could get spicy.
A short side trip to Singaraja is certainly worthwhile for travelers who are anyway in the north of Bali and want to experience once an authentic big city. Here you can wander off the beaten tourist path and fully immerse yourself in Balinese culture. Due to the proximity to Lovina, this can definitely be planned as a day trip or combined with a trip to the surrounding waterfalls.
