What to see in Batubulan: temple, Barong show and stone carvers
Batubulan is known in Bali as a village of stone carvers. It sits 10 km from Denpasar and 20 km from Ubud (as of 09/2026, Bali events calendar). People come here for the carvings, the temple, and the morning Barong show.
Below we break down what to see in Batubulan, when the village is open, and how to get there on your own.
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What makes Batubulan village interesting
💡 In short:
- Batubulan is known as a center of stone carving (as of 09/2026, howtobali).
- Entry to the village is free, and the Barong show runs daily from 9:30 (as of 09/2026, ubudcenter).
Batubulan sits along the main road heading east from Denpasar. The village stretches for several kilometers, and almost every house here sells stone. Workshops operate right on the street: you will see a figure gradually emerge from a block of tuff.
Locals call it a craft, not a show. Statues are made to order for temples, hotels, and private gardens all over Bali. That is why Batubulan has long become a showcase of Balinese carving rather than just a souvenir market.
History of Batubulan village
Batubulan has no exact founding date. Locals trace their families back to artisans who have lived here for many centuries and pass the skill from father to son. Oral tradition links the first structures to the era of the ancient Balinese kingdoms, but nobody names the precise century.
© user:っ/c · CC BY-SAPhoto: user:っ/c, CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/), Wikimedia CommonsThe village grew around the temple, not around a market. The craft became a family business, and the temple became the center of the community. Today the layout remains the same: workshops along the road, residential courtyards behind them, and Pura Puseh in the middle.
What to see in Batubulan
Most visitors come for three things: the temple, the performances, and the stone carving. Below, in order, are the temple, the show, and two nearby parks.
Site | Entry | Opening hours |
|---|---|---|
Barong show | about €9 (150,000 rupiah), children 75,000 rupiah (as of 09/2026, show page) | daily 9:30-10:30 (performance schedule) |
Bali Bird Park | paid, child rate up to age 12 | daily 9:00-17:30 (park hours) |
Pura Puseh | free entry | throughout the day |
Pura Puseh temple
Pura Puseh stands in the very center of the village and is considered its main structure. The walls are built from gray volcanic tuff. This stone is soft and easy to carve, so the entire temple is covered in carvings.
© I Putu Gede Wahyu Hermawan · CC BY-SAPhoto: I Putu Gede Wahyu Hermawan, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsBy local tradition, the temple is dedicated to the village founder. At the entrance you will see a lotus moat and carved gates, and in the courtyard locals leave offerings. You may enter the courtyard only in a sarong, which is usually provided on site. The temple is active, so respect the ceremonies and do not disturb worshippers.
Barong show and evening kecak
Barong is performed every morning on an open stage. The performance lasts about an hour and starts at 9:30, so arrive by 9:00 and take a seat closer to the stage (as of 09/2026, show schedule). The plot is simple: the good spirit Barong fights the evil Rangda.
The climax comes in the dagger dance, when the performers enter a trance. Many consider this moment the most powerful of the entire trip. Photography is allowed, but flash is prohibited.
© Eric Lefevre-Ardant from Paris, France · CC BY-SAPhoto: Eric Lefevre-Ardant from Paris, France, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0), Wikimedia CommonsIn the evening, the Bale Banjar pavilion operates in the southern part of the village. The Kecak dance with a fire show is performed there: the artists sing, and in the finale they walk barefoot over hot coals. Tickets are sold at the entrance; take your seat early.
Bird park and reptile park
Near Batubulan, in Singapadu, Bali Bird Park is open. The park is open daily from 9:00 to 17:30, and the entrance ticket already includes all shows and feedings (as of 09/2026, Bali Bird Park). Hundreds of tropical bird species live here, and children under 12 are admitted at a child rate.
© Lasthib · CC BY-SAPhoto: Lasthib, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia CommonsAlso nearby is Bali Reptile Park: there you will see monitor lizards, crocodiles, and pythons, including rare species of Indonesia. Both parks are on the same road as the village, so they are easy to combine into one trip.
Stone carving art of Batubulan
Stone carving is the main reason people come here. Dynasties of carvers work here: knowledge passes from father to son, and there is no school as such. At the village entrance you will immediately see statues of birds, gods, and heroes of local legends.
The figures vary in size: from small souvenirs to sculptures taller than a person. Workshops are open right on the street, and you can watch the work up close. Many carvers are ready to make a sculpture to order and will advise you on how to ship it home.
Small figurines are inexpensive, and bargaining is appropriate here. Locals believe that statues protect the village from evil spirits, so they treat them as talismans, not just as goods.
Visiting rules and opening hours
Locals ask visitors to leave donations to the temple. This is not an obligation but a tradition, and it is met with gratitude here.
Dress modestly: cover your shoulders, knees, and ankles. In the heat, light clothing is more comfortable, but shorts and open tank tops are inappropriate.
The best time to visit is morning. Before 9:30 you can calmly explore the village and still make it to the Barong show. The rainy season lasts from November to March, so walking around is most comfortable from April to September.
If you are in a hurry, two to three hours will be enough for the village and one performance. Workshops do not close for lunch, but some shops keep their own hours.
Tickets for performances are sold at the entrance, but it is better to book a spot for the morning show in advance: tours and shows on GetYourGuide.
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How to get to Batubulan
Batubulan occupies a stretch of the main road between Denpasar and Ubud. From Denpasar the drive takes about 15 minutes, and from Ubud about 30 minutes (as of 09/2026, Bali guide). Taxis and Grab charge by the meter or by negotiated price, there is no fixed fare.
There is almost no public transport in the usual sense here, so the cheapest option is to book a car through an app or hire a driver for half a day if you plan to also stop in Singapadu for the parks.
From Denpasar airport the drive takes about an hour, and if you want to see the village in the morning, leave early: traffic in Denpasar is heavy almost all day.
The main show starts at 9:30, so leave with a buffer of at least 30 minutes (as of 09/2026, Bali show schedule). Drivers often wait at the entrance, so you can sort out the return trip on the spot.
⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to visit Batubulan?
Entry to the village is free, you only pay for performances. A ticket to the morning Barong show costs about €9 (150,000 rupiah) for adults, children are cheaper (as of 09/2026, ticket price). Donations to the temple are not mandatory, but they are welcome here. Bring cash: not every workshop accepts cards.
When is the best time to go to Batubulan?
The best time to visit is in the morning, before the heat and the crowds. Arrive at the start of the show to get a seat in the front rows. For the season, choose the dry months from April to September: during the rainy season some performances are canceled due to downpours. Weekdays are quieter here than weekends.
How do I get there from Denpasar or Ubud?
From Denpasar the drive takes about 15 minutes, from Ubud about 30 minutes (as of 09/2026, transport in Bali). The most convenient option is a taxi or Grab: there is almost no public transport. From the airport, allow at least an hour for the drive. You can hire a driver for half a day.
What else can I see near Batubulan?
Besides the temple and woodcarving, Bali Bird Park and Bali Reptile Park are nearby. The bird park has hundreds of species of tropical birds, and the reptile park has monitor lizards, crocodiles, and pythons. Both are on the same road as the village, and half a day is enough for the village plus one park.
Do I need special clothing to visit?
Yes, choose modest clothing. It is better to cover your shoulders, knees, and ankles: this is an active temple, not a museum. Shorts and open tank tops are only appropriate at the beach, and a sarong is usually provided at the entrance, so you do not need to buy one separately.
Batubulan village on the map
Below is a map of the village. Open it to plan a route from your hotel.
In short: what to book
Batubulan is easy to fit into half a day: the morning show, the temple, and the workshops. If you are short on time, arrive by 9:00, watch the performance, and take a stroll along the shops.
- If you have one day: go for the Barong show and Pura Puseh temple.
- If you are traveling with kids: add Bali Bird Park and the reptile park.
- If you are planning an overnight stay: choose Ubud or Denpasar.
Pick the option that fits your trip: hotels in Ubud and Denpasar on Trip.com or book the show on GetYourGuide.
A small editorial team writing guides for independent travel. We travel ourselves, but we haven’t been everywhere, so we check prices, opening hours and how to get there against official sources.