Singaraja City Guide
Indonesia>Singaraja
Singaraja is a small seaport and the capital of Buleleng
District, featuring tree-lined avenues, quiet residential
perimeters, a wide market street, rows of bright Chinese
shops, and horse-drawn carts amidst frenetic traffic. Singaraja
means "lion king," a name commemorating a palace built in
1604 by Raja Panji Saktiis.
Singaraja has an entirely different character than Denpasar--more
like Java than Bali. Chinese, Indian, Arab, and Buginese
traders have called at its port since the 10th century,
trading arms, opium, and kepang for fresh water, food, livestock,
and slaves. Each of these groups has greatly impacted cultural
life in the city.
Singaraja is Bali's second-largest city. It's cleaner,
less polluted, less congested, more attractive and relaxing
than Denpasar. The influence of non-Balinese--Chinese, Bugis,
Javanese, Malays, Indians, and Arabs--is more noticeable
in Singaraja than in other parts of Bali, as this city has
been a marketplace for the Java sea trade for over a thousand
years.
Getting There and Moving Around
By road
You can board a minibus from Kintamani or from Denpasar
to Singaraja. Singaraja's Terminal Banyuasri serves destinations
west such as Lovina or Gilimanuk. To get to Labuhan Lalang
or Negara, catch an oplet to Gilimanuk, then take the main
highway to Denpasar. Minibuses also leave Banyuasri for
Denpasar every 30 minutes from early morning and to places
around.
There are also taxi services provided for your mobility
in this inspiring city. If you want more flexibilities to
move around Sanur, there are car rentals available and you
can enjoy driving around the city freely.
Moving Around
The availability of good transportation services in Singaraja,
Bali is a convenience of the visitors to move around the
captivating city.
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