Beyond Ubud - Discover Bali Lesser-Known Villages and Artisans

Most visitors who come to Ubud think they’ve seen the heart of Bali — the rice terraces, the temples, the art markets. But what if the real soul of the island lies just a few kilometers beyond, hidden in quiet villages where the rhythm of life still follows the sunrise, where artisans shape beauty not for fame but for devotion?

Traveling beyond Ubud is like stepping into another era. Here, time moves slower. You hear the creak of looms, the tap of chisels, the murmur of prayers offered before work begins. You smell sawdust and incense, and you see art — not displayed behind glass, but lived, breathed, and created daily by people whose hands tell stories older than memory.

This is the world of Bali’s lesser-known villages and artisans, a world that hums softly with authenticity and heart. And it’s waiting for those who wish to see not just the beauty of the island — but its soul.

Mas Village: The Soul of Woodcarving

The road south of Ubud leads to Mas Village, a place where every home seems to echo with the rhythm of carving tools against wood. For generations, the people here have turned simple blocks of mahogany, sandalwood, or crocodile wood into intricate masterpieces that carry both artistic and spiritual meaning.

Woodcarving in Mas Village is not just a craft — it’s a conversation with the divine. Each piece begins with ritual: offerings to the gods, prayers for inspiration, and gratitude for the tree that gave its life. The artisans believe that every wood has a spirit, and that carving it is an act of harmony, not domination.

Walk through the narrow lanes, and you’ll find small workshops filled with men and women working side by side. Some carve majestic Barong masks, others delicate figures of gods or dancers. The scent of freshly cut wood fills the air, and sawdust glitters like gold in the sunlight.

Many of these carvings find their way into temples and homes across Bali — symbols of protection, prosperity, or devotion. But the best part of visiting Mas Village is watching the creation unfold before your eyes. The patience, precision, and care these artisans put into their work make you understand why Balinese craftsmanship is celebrated worldwide.

When you hold a finished carving — the smooth surface, the flow of detail — you can feel the maker’s soul within it. It’s not just art. It’s prayer in form.

Celuk Village: Where Silver Speaks in Light

A short drive further brings you to Celuk Village, the shining heart of Bali’s silversmithing tradition. Here, in quiet courtyards surrounded by coconut trees, entire families have been shaping silver for centuries.

The craft began long ago when Celuk’s ancestors forged tools and ceremonial objects for temples. Over time, these skills evolved into intricate jewelry making — necklaces, rings, earrings, and sacred ornaments used in rituals. Today, Celuk is known worldwide for its exquisite Balinese silver jewelry, each piece a delicate blend of technique and emotion.

Step inside one of the local studios, and you’ll see hands moving with impossible precision — twisting wires thinner than thread, shaping tiny flowers, or engraving patterns inspired by Bali’s nature and mythology. The silver artisans of Celuk don’t rush; every movement is deliberate, every design infused with meaning.

You can even try your hand at creating your own piece. Many workshops now offer silver jewelry classes, where visitors learn the traditional methods of melting, molding, and polishing. It’s a humbling experience — realizing how much patience and artistry goes into something that seems so effortless.

Beyond the shimmer of metal, Celuk represents something deeper — the continuity of tradition. In a world driven by speed and technology, these artisans remind us that beauty takes time, and that real craftsmanship is an act of devotion.

Batubulan: The Living Stage of Stone and Spirit

If Celuk gleams with silver, then Batubulan Village breathes in stone. This is the home of Bali’s legendary stone carvers, whose sculptures adorn temples, gateways, and sacred spaces across the island.

Here, art and religion merge seamlessly. The villagers of Batubulan believe that carving stone is a sacred duty — a way to give form to divine energy. The volcanic rock they use, soft yet durable, comes from the island’s own mountains, believed to carry spiritual power.

Walk down the main road, and you’ll see rows of statues — gods with serene faces, demons with fierce expressions, dragons coiled in dance. The sound of chisels and hammers fills the air like music, and everywhere, the scent of incense drifts from small shrines where artists make offerings before they begin work.

Batubulan is also famous for its Barong dance performances, a traditional theatrical art that tells the eternal story of good versus evil. Watching this dance in the very village where the Barong masks are carved gives the experience a profound sense of connection.

Each figure here, whether carved from stone or brought to life in dance, is part of the same story — a reflection of Bali’s belief that art is not decoration but a form of worship.

Tenganan: The Village of Timekeepers

Venture further east, and the road narrows into a quiet world where time seems to have paused centuries ago. This is Tenganan Village, home to the Bali Aga — the island’s original inhabitants, who still live according to ancient customs and traditions untouched by outside influence.

Here, life follows a rhythm dictated not by technology but by ceremony. The people of Tenganan are known for their strict adherence to ritual purity and their exquisite weaving of double ikat cloth, known as geringsing. This rare technique, practiced in only a few places on earth, involves dyeing both warp and weft threads before weaving — a process so complex that a single piece can take months or even years to complete.

Each pattern carries meaning — protection from harm, blessings for marriage, or symbols of cosmic balance. The weaving is done by women, often in silence, as part of spiritual discipline. The finished fabric is believed to hold mystical power, used only during sacred ceremonies.

Beyond weaving, Tenganan preserves an entire ecosystem of tradition: bamboo houses, community gatherings, and festivals where ancient games like mekare-kare (the pandanus battle) are still performed.

Visiting Tenganan feels like stepping into a living museum, yet the people are welcoming and proud to share their heritage. This is not tourism — it’s continuity. Here, you don’t just observe culture; you walk within it.

Sidemen: The Valley of Dream Weavers

Nestled between Mount Agung and the eastern rice fields lies Sidemen Valley, one of Bali’s most poetic landscapes. While the world flocks to Ubud, Sidemen remains untouched — a haven for those seeking both beauty and authenticity.

The village is famous for its songket weaving, a shimmering textile made by interlacing gold or silver threads into cotton or silk. Each songket tells a story — of nature, love, or spirituality — and is worn during important ceremonies. Watching a weaver at work is mesmerizing: her fingers move rhythmically, her eyes follow invisible patterns, and the cloth slowly comes alive under her touch.

Beyond weaving, Sidemen offers a glimpse into rural Balinese life. Farmers tend their fields by hand, children walk barefoot to school, and locals invite you for coffee with genuine warmth. The valley itself seems to breathe — green, serene, and alive with the hum of cicadas.

For travelers seeking a deeper connection with the island, Sidemen represents what Bali once was — a land where art, nature, and spirit exist in perfect balance.

Klungkung: The Forgotten Kingdom of Artists

Once the seat of Bali’s royal court, Klungkung today stands as a quiet tribute to the island’s artistic grandeur. The Kerta Gosa Pavilion, with its ceilings painted in traditional wayang (shadow puppet) style, remains a masterpiece of storytelling and design.

But beyond the royal complex, the villages surrounding Klungkung are alive with painters, sculptors, and musicians, each carrying forward their ancestors’ legacy. Here, the arts are not limited to galleries — they live in daily rituals, in the murals that adorn family shrines, and in the melodies of the gamelan that echo at sunset.

Visiting Klungkung allows you to trace the lineage of Balinese artistry — from royal influence to folk creativity. Every brushstroke and every carving reflects the same core philosophy: that art is a bridge between the human and the divine.

Penglipuran: The Village of Harmony

Among Bali’s most beautiful yet humble destinations lies Penglipuran Village, known for its pristine cleanliness, bamboo architecture, and deep sense of community. This traditional highland village near Bangli is more than picturesque — it’s a living example of Tri Hita Karana, the Balinese principle of harmony between people, nature, and the divine.

Here, the houses are perfectly aligned, the air is free from pollution, and everyone participates in keeping the village pure — both physically and spiritually. The people of Penglipuran maintain a strong connection to their ancestors, preserving traditions that date back centuries.

The village is also home to talented bamboo craftsmen, who create everything from household items to intricate artworks using sustainable materials. Their work embodies Bali’s deep respect for nature and its resources.

Walking through Penglipuran feels like entering a different world — quiet, orderly, and full of grace. It’s proof that modernization doesn’t have to erase tradition; it can coexist beautifully.

Why These Villages Matter

In a world where travel often becomes about ticking off attractions, these villages remind us what authentic Bali truly means. Each artisan, each craft, and each ritual carries the island’s living heritage — a testament to resilience, creativity, and faith.

Exploring these hidden Balinese villages isn’t about finding souvenirs; it’s about understanding what gives Bali its spirit. It’s in the hands that carve, the threads that weave, the prayers whispered before creation.

Through Bali Gate Tours, travelers can explore these communities with respect — guided by locals, learning from artisans, and contributing to the preservation of traditional art forms. It’s travel with purpose — where every encounter leaves both guest and host enriched.

The Art of Being Human

When you journey beyond Ubud, you don’t just see Bali — you experience its heartbeat. The villages, the people, the artisans — they all remind us that art isn’t about fame or perfection; it’s about devotion.

Whether it’s the scent of wood shavings in Mas, the shimmer of silver in Celuk, or the rhythmic click of a loom in Sidemen, you begin to see that every sound, every color, every gesture is an offering.

These artisans may never see their names in magazines, but their work endures in the temples, the rituals, and the quiet dignity of their lives.

So, step off the main road. Wander into the villages. Listen to the sound of chisels, of laughter, of wind through bamboo. That’s where you’ll find the real Bali — not a destination, but a living masterpiece.

Because the true art of Bali is not carved in stone or woven in cloth. It’s lived — every single day — by the hands of its people.