Ulun Danu Beratan Temple

'Temple in the Lake'. It's suitable words to describe Ulun Danu Beratan Temple. Ulun Danu Temple is a Balinese Hindu Temple located at Candi Kuning countryside, Baturiti sub district and Tabanan regency. The distance from Denpasar town is about 50 km north side the way from Denpasar to Singaraja. It is set at lakeside of Beratan with beautiful lake view and hills surround it. It is situated in the plateau area with cool atmosphere surround it and hills as a backdrop. We can find at north side of this temple is Pucak Sangkur mount, in the eastside there is Beratan Mount which also referred as Pucak Mangu or Pucak Pangelengan, in the south side there is Terate Bang Mount and in the Westside there is Tapak Mount and Watukaru Mount.

The name of Ulun Danu Beratan Temple is taken from the lake where the temple is built at Beratan Lake. The name of Beratan Lake is inseparable with the Beratan Mount as Deity and Goddess as fertility source, prosperity to keep the prosperity in life and society life. In papyrus chronicle of the Mengwi, this temple is referred as the name of Parhyangan ri pinggiring danu Beratan (sanctum located in lakeside of Beratan Lake ). Ulun is come from Hulu word meaning head or power and in this case is intended by Ulun Danu Beratan means power of Beratan Lake that is Danu Goddess.

Beratan Lake at Bedugul Bali

Bedugul is my favorite location in Bali. Relax and feel fresh when i spend my time in this place. There's so many tourism spot, like : Beratan Lake, Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, Bedugul Botanical Garden, etc.

Beratan Lake is a shallow lake with the high caldera about 1231m above sea level and it is located at Bedugul, the famous tourist destinations in Bali. This lake have wide 3,8 km2 and also its deepness is up to 22 meters. The water volume in this lake is about 0,049 km3, so Beratan Lake is the closed lake. Tourist can access the Beratan Lake through the dock which have been provided or desist around Ulun Danu Beratan Temple. In this place, the visitor can do various activities like doing recreation to look around in dock or do the other outdoor activities. The various water recreation activities can also be conducted here, for example riding the boat motorize to circle the lake, parasailing, canoeing with the traditional boat, banana boating, water skiing, and others. Fishing activities are also available in this places for who one love fishing in the lake.

If the tourist paying a visit to the Beratan Lake, they also can visit other places of interest in Bedugul Tabanan Bali nearby like Bedugul Botanical Garden or Kebun Raya Eka Karya where the visitors can relax while enjoy the various of flora types, traditional Balinese houses and others. Candi Kuning Market is a Traditional Vegetable and Fruit Market located at Candi Kuning countryside which can be reached only in a few minutes from the lake. Various fruit type, vegetables and also mace can be bought here with many choices. It is not far from Ulun Danu Temple. Buyan Lake and Tamblingan Lake are the next places of interest existing near the Beratan Lake and it is just 3 minutes drive by car from this place. Beratan Lake can be reached easily from the main road from Denpasar to Bedugul and it takes about 2 hours from the town with the good road access. You may also visit this area by joining the exciting Bedugul Tours or Singaraja Tour.

Pura Taman Ayun

Religious situation... You'll feel that when you entering Pura Taman Ayun. A big Temple in a large garden. Pura Taman Ayun was built by I Gusti Agung Anom, the founder of the Mengwi kingdom, a powerful kingdom in the district of Mengwi, in central Bali, until 1891. I Gusti Agung Anom was also the builder of Pura Ulun Danu Bratan. He established Pura Taman Ayun in 1634, when he moved his palace from Balahayu to Mengwi. The name Pura Taman Ayun means the "Temple of the Beautiful Gardens." The date of construction is carved on the door with chronogram reading "Sad Bhuta Yaksa Dewa", meaning 1634AD. The temple is a penyawangan, or place to worship other sacred sites, with shrines to worship Bali's mountain peaks of Agung, Batukau and Batur, as well as shrine to Pura Sada, another important temple in Mengwi. Unlike the majority of temples in Bali, the orientation of Taman Ayun is towards Gunung Batukau, and not Gunung Agung.

(Rows of merus with ijuk black thatched roofing provides resting place for visiting spirits at Pura Taman Ayun)

Pura Taman Ayun covers an area of 250m by 100m. Originally dating from 1634, it was restored and enlarged in 1937. The gates, split gates and walls were renovated in 1949, and a pavillion, called bale bengong was added. In 1972, the black fiber roofs were replaced, and in 1976, a pavillion tower, called bale kulkul was added.

(The bale kulkul, or drum tower, at Pura Taman Ayun)

Pura Taman Ayun consists of a forecourt, a central court and a spacious inner court. The temple is surrounded by a moat with lotuses, giving it the feel of a garden sanctuary. Beyond the moat, the temple lies on a slightly raised ground. A tall stone gateway separates the forecourt from the central court, while the inner court is surrounded by a stone wall. Frangipanni are grown in profusion all around the wall. Within the inner court are merus, dedicated to various deities and spirits. In total, there are 50 shrines and pavillions in the temple complex.

(Gateway to the inner courtyard of Pura Taman Ayun)

On its festival day, Balinese women would will the temple bearing colourful offerings which they place before the merus.

Puri Saren Ubud (Ubud Palace)

Ubud is one of interesting location in Bali. If you spend your holiday in Bali, don't forget to visit Ubud especially Puri Saren Ubud. Puri Saren Ubud (Ubud Palace) is an Ubud Kingdom Palace with beautiful Balinese traditional houses as a residence of Ubud King. It is set in the center of Ubud Bali with traditional art market just in front of it and it is found by Ida Tjokorda Putu Kandel who has commanded from year 1800 - 1823. This palace is an artistic cultural life center, while the traditional market is the symbol of local economics resident. The existence of Puri Saren as a palace is equipped by a Wantilan or auditorium that is a large building of meeting room and a banyan tree as shelter place at the daytime. The traditional market is the place of society economics and its existence is always border on palace as artistic cultural life center. It means that the both pole meeting is describing the dynamics of society and kingdom life.

The tourists who will visit this place, they will feel not complete if they are not invited to visit the Puri Saren (Ubud Palace) and traditional market, because both of these tourist destinations are the soul and identity of Ubud Village itself. The palace is very beautiful with artistically traditional building and contains the high esthetics value. It is situated in the good temperature which can give the ruthless and freshness for every visitor. Some world class painters from Europe have lived in Ubud like Rudolf Bonnet, Walter Spies, Arie Smith, Antonio Blanko, Hans Snell and others. These entire world class painters through its painting masterpiece have indirectly followed to promote Bali Tourism because theme or their painting objects are about the culture and nature of Bali. Ida Tjokorda Agung Sukawati has exploited his palace as lodge place for his entire respectable guest.

BALI 'The God Island'

BALI. Everyone knows BALI. Bali is a God Island or some people say that Bali is a paradise island. Bali is more famous than Indonesia, in fact that Bali is one of provinces in Indonesia.

Bali is an Indonesian island located at Coordinates: 8°25′23″S 115°14′55″E / 8.42306°S 115.24861°Ethe westernmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands, lying between Java to the west and Lombok to the east. It is one of the country's 33 provinces with the provincial capital at Denpasar towards the south of the island.

With a population recorded as 3,551,000 in 2009, the island is home to the vast majority of Indonesia's small Hindu minority. About 93.18% of Bali's population adheres to Balinese Hinduism, while most of the remainder follow Islam. It is also the largest tourist destination in the country and is renowned for its highly developed arts, including dance, sculpture, painting, leather, metalworking and music.

Republic of Indonesia

Indonesia is My Lovely Country. Indonesia is my love... (i like this song). I was born in Indonesia and i'm so proud to be an Indonesian. Indonesia is a rich country which has many beautiful sceneries, different cultures, languanges, etc. Even i like travelling around the world, I'll always say that Indonesia is the best one because we are unique :D

The Republic of Indonesia is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia comprises 17,508 islands. With a population of around 230 million people, it is the world's fourth most populous country, and has the world's largest population of Muslims. Indonesia is a republic, with an elected legislature and president. The nation's capital city is Jakarta. The country shares land borders with Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Malaysia. Other neighboring countries include Singapore, Philippines, Australia, and the Indian territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

The Indonesian archipelago has been an important trade region since at least the seventh century, when Srivijaya and then later Majapahit traded with China and India. Local rulers gradually adopted Indian cultural, religious and political models from the early centuries CE, and Hindu and Buddhist kingdoms flourished. Indonesian history has been influenced by foreign powers drawn to its natural resources. Muslim traders brought Islam, and European powers fought one another to monopolize trade in the Spice Islands of Maluku during the Age of Discovery. Following three and a half centuries of Dutch colonialism, Indonesia secured its independence after World War II. Indonesia's history has since been turbulent, with challenges posed by natural disasters, corruption, separatism, a democratization process, and periods of rapid economic change.

Across its many islands, Indonesia consists of distinct ethnic, linguistic, and religious groups. The Javanese are the largest and most politically dominant ethnic group. Indonesia has developed a shared identity defined by a national language, ethnic diversity, religious pluralism within a majority Muslim population, and a history of colonialism including rebellion against it. Indonesia's national motto, "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika" ("Unity in Diversity" literally, "many, yet one"), articulates the diversity that shapes the country. Despite its large population and densely populated regions, Indonesia has vast areas of wilderness that support the world's second highest level of biodiversity. The country is richly endowed with natural resources, yet poverty remains widespread in contemporary Indonesia.

Myeong-dong Street

Shopping in Dongdaemun Market is not enough for shopaholic in Seoul. There's another shopping location which is very interesting too for shopaholic or tourist. Myeong-dong Street. Did you know that several scenes from the korean popular drama Winter Sonata were filmed here ?

Myeong-dong is Korea's trendiest shopping area, with over 300,000 square meters of shops selling clothes, shoes, handbags, accessories, and cosmetics. Many department stores also have a major presence here. Day or night, young people always crowd into the numerous restaurants, cafes, coffee shops, and night clubs in the area. Nearby Myeong-dong Cathedral is a frequent focal point for anti-government demonstrations and dissident holdouts, which sometimes mars the local atmosphere. The area also has an annual street festival.

This popular street is in the heart of downtown Chuncheon. Fast-food restaurants, movie theaters, and nightclubs all pack the streets of this hip area. This street was originally known as Joyang-dong Street. The current name, Myeong-dong Street, comes from Seoul’s hippest shopping district, Myeong-dong. The famous food street, with many tasty Dakgalbi restaurants is located right behind this shopping street.

Blue House (Cheongwadae)

Gyeongbok palace -> National Folk Museum -> Blue House (Cheongwadae) built in one area. So don't forget to visit or see the blue house too after visit the palace.

Cheongwadae is the executive office and official residence of the President of the Republic of Korea, located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Cheongwadae consists of the main office building and its annexes. The main office building includes Presidential Office, audience room, conference room, and official Presidential residence. The annex accommodates the office of the Presidential secretariat, the office of Presidential security, Chunchugwan (press center) and Yeongbingwan (reception hall). Also, there are wide gardens, ponds, and rear gardens connected with Bukak-san in the Cheongwadae compound. The main building has a hipped-and-gabled roof, which is the most refined and beautiful style among Korean architecture, covered with Korean style blue tiles from which "Cheongwadae" takes its name. Approximately 150,000 tiles compose the roof of Cheongwadae. Each was baked individually, which makes them strong enough to be used for over one hundred years.

From an historical viewpoint, the location of Cheongwadae was the site of a royal villa in the southern capital of the Goryeo Dynasty. During the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), Gyeongbuk-gung (Palace) was built as the main palace, and the royal villa lot became the back garden of the palace. Following Japan's annexation of Korea in 1910, the Governor-General of Korea used the Gyeongbuk Palace grounds for the government-general building. Japan built an official residence/office for the Governor-General on the site of current main building of Cheongwadae. After Korea's independence, the building was used as an official residence for the Military Governor-General under the U. S. Military Government. Later, with the establishment of the Republic of Korea in August 1948, it was used as the Presidential residence and called "Gyeongmudae." After the April 19th Revolution in 1960, the Democratic Party occupied power and President Yun Bo-seon changed the name to "Cheongwadae." In 1990, Chunchukwan, which is the press center and official Presidential residence, were newly constructed.

National Folk Museum

After walk around in Gyeongbok Palace, don't forget to visit National Folk Museum. In this museum, you can learn more about korean tradition. Located inside Gyeongbok Palace, the National Folk Museum comprises three interconnected buildings. The three examples of traditional Korean architecture on the roofs are some of the highest buildings on the palace grounds, and can be easily seen from almost anywhere.Inside the museum are examples of the different periods of Korean history, from pre-history through the Japanese occupation. In addition to actual relics, replicas and paintings show various aspects of traditional life, including many ceremonies and festivals. Jungang Hall, in the center of the three wings, is used to showcase various exhibitions that change periodically.

The National Folk Museum sits in the northern section of the palace. The museum has several exhibition halls which periodically change their exhibits, showing a wide selection of Korean culture and history. The building housing the former National Museum of Korea (built by the Japanese during the Japanese occupation) has been demolished and its historical treasures await a new home in Yongsan Family Park.

Hours:
Mar. ~ Oct. - 09:00 ~ 18:00 (May ~ Aug. Saturdays/Sundays/Holidays: closing time extended 1 hour)
Nov. ~ Feb. - 09:00 ~ 17:00

Admission:
Adults (19 to 64 years old): 3,000 won (groups: 2,400 won)
Children (7 to 18 years old): 1,500 won (groups: 1,200 won)
* Children 6 and under, seniors 65 and over: Free

Directions:
Subway line 3, Gyeongbokgung Station, exit 5; Subway line 5, Gwanghwamun Station, exit 2

Gyeongbok Palace

Do you remember "Dae Jang-Geum ?" If you see these pictures, it'll remind you about that drama. Gyeongbok is the name of this palace.

Built at the beginning of the Chosun Dynasty when the Yi Dynasty moved the capital to Seoul, this palace remained the main seat of power for Korea kings throughout much of the time to the present. Gyeongbok means Shining Happiness. The main gate (Kwanghwa-mun) separates Gyeongbok Palace from one of the busiest areas of Seoul. Gyeongbok Palace was built as the primary palace of the Chosun Kingdom by its founder, King Taejo in 1395, the fourth year of his reign.

It was destroyed during the Japanese invasion of 1592 and left in ruins for over 250 years. Starting in 1865, it was rebuilt to its original grandeur. When Korea was annexed by Japan in 1910, most of the 200 building on the palace grounds were torn down by the Japanese, leaving only a dozen structures. The map near the front entrance shows the arrangement of the complex during the latter part of the reign of King Kojong. It shows the major hails, pavilions, offices, storerooms, gates and bridges of the 419,100 square meter grounds.

--> (You can take photos in this spot. You'll look like a Royal guard or maybe a knight. ha3x...)

Keunjeong-jeon
In over 600 years, the palace has been severely damaged a number of times. Although only about a dozen buildings remain, at one point the compound housed several hundred buildings. Many have been rebuilt according to their original specifications. Keunjeong-jeon, the royal throne hall is Korea's largest surviving wooden structure. Kings conducted state affairs, held official functions, and received foreign envoys here. Built in 1394, high ranking officials assembled in this court to pay respect to their kings.

From 1399-1549, seven of twelve kings were enthroned here: Chogjong, Sejong, Tanjong, Sejo, Seongjong, Chunjong, and Myongjong. It was burned down during the Japanese invasion in 1592 and rebuilt in 1867, during the reign of King Kojong. The throne is centered toward the back of the hall. There used to be ritual objects there, but none now remain. The building has a high-ceiling, single room structure on a double-level platform.

Formerly there were three consecutive gates south of the entrance, between Keunjeong-jon and the city. Keunjeong-mun can be seen in the center of the south corridor. Hongnye-mun was torn down to make way for the capital. Kwanghwa-mun is on the outer wall of the palace, in front of the capital (now bring renovated for the new National Museum). An impressive view of the harmony created between Keunjeong-jon and Pukhan-san (the mountain range directly to the north), can be seen from the second pillar from the east end of the south corridor.


Chagyong-jeon
Chagyong-jon was the living quarters for Queen Dowager Cho, the mother of King Honjong (r.1834-1849), the 24th King of the Chosun Dynasty. It was built for her by regent Yi Huang (the Taewongun), father of King Kojong. The present quarters were built in 1888 after the original structure burned down. This is the only building with a bedroom remaining on the palace grounds. The bed chamber is situated to the northwest and is heated by an ondal heating system. The building has a pavilion to the southwest with an elevated floor for use in the summer months. There had been a number of attached buildings, walkways, and a two-post gate with a roof. All that remains is the wall with the symbols of long life and the freestanding chimney in the rear garden, plus a wall with flower and plant designs to the west.

The chimney of Chageyong-jeon (designated Treasure #810) forms a part of the wall of the courtyard. It has ten exhausts on the top of the chimney, which is titled to resemble the beams and rafters of a wooden structure. The chimney is decorated with various designs for long life, wealth, and many offsprings, as well as signs to repel evil. On the lower half of the wall is a large decorative panel, the background of which is plaster. It contains a design of the sun, a mountain, water, clouds, a rock, pine tree, turtle, deer, crane, grapes, the fungus of immortality, bamboo, chrysanthemum, and lotus.

Above the panel are three-square designs: a dragon in the center and a crane on either side. Amisan Garden is a terraced garden behind Kyotae-jon, the queen's quarters. Beneath the panel are two square designs of mythological fire-eating beasts, called Haet'ae. On the right and left are a bat and arabesque pattern. The dragon symbolizes the king and the cranes, his subjects. The sun, rock, and turtle stand for longevity; the grapes for many offspring; the bat for wealth; and the Haet'ae for warding off evil and fire. This is one of the most beautiful chimneys remaining from the Chosun era (1392-1910) royal palaces.

Hyangwon-jeong
To the far north on the palace grounds sits Hyangwon-jeong, an attractive hexagonal pavilion surrounded by a lotus pond. When King Kojong had Hyangwon-jeong built in 1867, he had a pond dug to the south of it and the pavilion built on an island in the pond. Hyangwon-jeong was originally connected to the north shore of the pond by a bridge named Ch'wihyang-gyo and the King enjoyed strolling across it to the pavilion. Visitors are not allowed on the bridge or to the pavilion. Instead, they must content themselves with the serene view. This is one of the most painted and photographed places in Korea.

Hyangwon-jeong is generally thought to be a two-storied building. However, if one includes the structure below the first floor, it is actually a three-storied building. Its plane is hexagonal and it has railing around it. In 1953, the bridge was rebuilt after the Korean War. This time, the bridge was constructed to reach the south shore of the pond. Originally there was a wall to the East of the pond with a double gate to the south, making it more private and secluded.


Yolsang Chinwon Spring
This spring was here when the palace was built in 1395. Its water is so pure and cold that it is good for drinking. It also flows into the adjacent Hyangwon-ji (far-reaching fragrance) pond. The stone trough was specially designed to supply water to the pond without disturbing the reflection of the pavilion and trees. The waterway makes two turns at right angles to ensure that the water flow remains consistently slow.


Kyeonghoe-ru
Kyeonghoe-ru is the largest pavilion in South Korea and has been designated National Treasure #224. Supported by 48 stone pillars and set in a lotus pond, the pavilion was a favored place for the King to entertain visiting dignitaries. King Taejo, founder of the Chosun Dynasty and builder of Gyeongbok Palace, had the pavilion erected on this man-made lake in the western section of the palace. He named Kyeonghoe for "joyous meeting."

King Daejeong (r.1401-1408) ordered his Minister of Manufacturing and Construction (Pak Cha-chong) to enlarge both the lake and the structure. Minister Park built a square with dragon-shaped island supported by a long stone on which to construct the larger pavilion. Forty-eight stone pillars, sculptured with dragons, supported the second floor. Two more islets were made in the lake.

During the Japanese invasion in 1592, the original Kyeonghoe-ru was burned down leaving only the stone supports. When Gyeongbok palace was rebuilt in 1867, the fourth year of the reign of King Kojong the pavilion was reconstructed. The pillars were replaced with new ones that lack the splendor of the former. But animals were carried on the stone brides and railings. There are such stone structures as the Lotus Pond, Lotus Platform, and dragon-shaped conduits along the lake. This pavilion was used for royal banquets during the Chosun period and is used today for special functions.