If you have been looking for the most charming and cutest village in the world well you are in luck because I’ve found it! You just have to travel to Bali to experience it!
Penglipuran Village is a small traditional Balinese village located in East Bali. About 750 people call Penglipuran home, most have lived there their entire lives and I can see why, it is truly immaculate and exquisite. It is virtually untouched by the modern era and is almost make-believe. It is a preserved village with local traditions, culture, and housing. The charm is out of this world!
I was so impressed just walking around the village, everyone was so nice and welcoming. It is one of the cleanest villages in the world! On the sides of the roads you will find a small wicker compost bucket at almost every home and not a speck of trash in sight. The residents take great care of their homes and the village.
Each compound has breathtakingly beautiful well manicured gardens and each home is unique and beautiful, making this village a most perfect place to call home. Each home has the same style gates at the entrance and each has a sign with the family name and the names of everybody who lives in the home along with how many males and females there are.
You will not find any modern influences within the village, they stick to a very traditional lifestyle. The whole village is walkable as cars and bikes are not allowed on the streets within the village. With its sloping streets and resident animals there is no shortage of picturesque moments.
As you walk through the village the residents are very friendly and will invite you into their home to take a look around, many of them are artisans and sell handmade items and souvenirs within their compound. Here you can get a real sense of traditional Balinese life as they show you around their modest homes but elaborate shrines and temples.
The main temple is located on the north end and this is where many Hindu ceremonies are held. The village sits at about 700 meters above sea level so it is a bit milder in climate than a lot of areas in Bali.
Located behind the main temple of the village is a small pathway that you can walk down and it leads you to the beautiful bamboo forest. The bamboo stretches up to the sky and there is an enchanting paved pathway that leads you deep into the forest where you are surrounded by the tall trees as beams of sunlight stream through.
On the day we visited we were lucky to get to witness a children’s dance production in one of the main community buildings which was such a treat. They were so adorable!
You will not find any lodgings or accommodations to stay at in the village because it is only for the residents however a day trip will surely be worth it as it is an unforgettable experience, keep in mind that there is a small admittance fee to get in to the village. It is one of those magical places that you would love to move to and become immersed in this laid back traditional lifestyle.
What I really loved about Penglipuran is that it is not very well known so it did not have that touristy vibe, it is a quiet village that mostly the locals know about.