Ubud Palace or Puri Saren
Puri Saren is an Ubud Royal Palace situated in the heart of Ubud Village and appointed as a tourist destination which is many visited by tourist every day. Ida Tjkorda Putu Kande is the founder of Ubud Kingdom who led the kingdom from 1800 – 1823. This palace is a center of art and cultures while the market which is just in front of it as a center of local community’s economy. The existence of this place as king’s palace completed by a Wantilan (a big traditional building/hall for meeting venue) and a shady banyan tree as shelter during the day. The existence of market as a center of social economy is always set side by side with the palace as a center of art and culture life. It is meaning that the meeting of two poles reflects to the dynamic of local community’s life and for the king at that time can be used to assess the success of the improvement for art, cultures and local community’s economy.
Ubud Palace, a Place to Visit and Stay
The tourists who have the tour package to Ubud will not feel that they have been to Ubud if they were not invited to visit Puri Saren and traditional art market, because both of this tourist objects are the soul and identity of the Ubud Village. Puri Saren is a center of Ubud Empire has started the tourism life in Ubud especially and Bali generally. The palace is very artistic and own the high esthetic value supported by the good temperature that can give the coolness and comfortable for every visitor includes the artist from Europe. Some European artists who have visited and stay in Ubud includes Rodolf Bonnet, Walter Spies, Arie Smith, Antonio Blanco, Han Snell etc. these artists through their painting works have indirectly promoted the Bali’s tourism because the theme and object of their paintings are the cultures and nature of Bali.
Tourist Destinations
Ida Tjokorda Gde Agung Sukawati has made use his palace as a place to stay for his distinguishes guests. In 1928, the Tjampuhan Hotel has been established for the royal guests and in 1934, this hotel is appointed as the accommodation for the royal guests and also used as the activity center of Pita Maha Organization. The Tjampuhan Hotel is the oldest hotels in Ubud with traditional style building integrate to the environments. In subsequent development, Ubud as a tourist destination and become one of the tourist destinations in Gianyar Regency with special characteristic and specification. It is situated in the sightseeing area that very closes with other tourist destinations such as Goa Gajah, Ubud Art Market, Painting Museum and Tegalalang Rice Terrace.