About
Tampaksiring is a district in Gianyar Regency, on the island of Bali in Indonesia. It is best known for the sacred temple of Tirta Empul, which sits around its holy spring waters and is one of the most visited religious sites on the island.
What to see
- Tirta Empul temple: a Balinese Hindu temple built around a holy spring. Visitors come to see the traditional architecture of the grounds and the spring pools, where local worshippers perform purification rituals.
- Traditional architecture: the temple complex shows the carved stone, shrines and courtyards typical of Balinese Hindu design.
Planning the visit
Tampaksiring suits travellers interested in religion, ritual and the everyday spiritual life of Bali. Because the spring is an active place of worship, visitors are expected to dress respectfully and to follow the conduct of those using the pools. Time spent here is best given to looking and learning rather than rushing.
The district lies inland within Gianyar Regency, so it makes a natural stop for a day exploring the island's cultural heartland, with the wider region of Gianyar offering further temples, villages and craft traditions to visit nearby.
