Holy Spring Temple
Holy Spring Temple also well-known as Pura Tirta Empul. it’s a Hindu-Balinese water temple from the 10th century and one of the holiest in Bali. It is located near the city of Tampaksiring, about half an hour’s drive (15 km) north of Ubud. The temple pond has a spring from which fresh-water regularly gushes, which Balinese Hindus consider sacred – Tirta Empul means Holy Spring in Balinese.
You can bathe in the springs alongside locals if you follow a few simple courtesies and protocols. Start from the left, and if someone next door is praying, just queue (or start one) and be patient.
Work your way to the end of the first pool and hop into the second. It is an exceptional experience that I can highly recommend with two caveats.
First, there was an outbreak of e.coli in 2017 due to contaminated water entering the groundwater table upstream from the springs. The water has been cleaned since then, but if another outbreak occurs, I will send an email newsletter message that you would like to sign up for.
Second, the facilities for changing and washing afterward are at best rudimentary and, at worst, very unsanitary. It is best to change into your swimsuit in your car beforehand (you rented a private car and a driver, right?) And then have a towel and a change of clothes.
Regardless of the bad changing rooms, I strongly recommend bathing in the temple. It is a unique and insightful experience and well worth planning ahead.
Pura Tirta Empul is just 1.3 km from Gunung Kawi. It, therefore, makes sense to visit both on the same trip or day tour.
Entry price: IDR 15,000/Pax
Location: Jl. Tirta, Manukaya, Tampaksiring, Kabupaten Gianyar
Opening times: Mon-Sun 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.