Bali-Kuta Beach

Bali’s fascinating spiritual culture began thousands of years ago and continues to flourish today, despite being a tremendously popular tourist destination. As much as can be determined, the indigenous people, called Bali Aga, practiced animism. Today, the residents of Tenganan Pegringsingan, Trunyan Village and the few other remaining Bali Aga villages still preserve their age-old beliefs, lending visitors a glimpse into the past.

The oldest artifacts unearthed on Bali originate from around 1000 B.C. Other pieces indicate that the Bronze Age here started sometime before 300 B.C. Bedulu Archaeological Museum displays some of the little discovered about early Balinese history, while the stupendous 11th-century rock-carvings at Gunung Kawi and Goa Gaja and the 14th-century Yeh Pulu relief showcase some of Bali’s largest relics.