Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Explore batik and other kinds of textiles in Denpasar, the capital city in southern Bali. There are several busy batik shops in other major towns. Also explore songket cloth, threaded with gold or silver, and the rare geringsing cloth, which is used in religious ceremonies and is only available in Tenganan.
Shop in Tegalalang and Sebatu for carved wooden statues and figures. The carvings are painted in bright colors. Many represent religious spirits, demons or the heroes of Hindu epic stories. Painted masks made in the traditional way with pule wood are also popular. The town of Mas and the village of Kemenuh are centers of unpainted woodcarvings and the production of masks.
Travel to Celuk, Kamasan or Bratan for the best variety of rings, bracelets, necklaces and other jewelry. Jewelry makers combine delicate settings and gemstones to make a variety of shapes, and will also work to your own design. Silver is favored throughout Bali for its low cost, but gold pieces can also be found in all the major towns. Kuta and Kamasan are important centers of silver production.
Shop in Batubulan for carvings in paras, a soft sandstone that is found among the island's riverbanks. The stone is shaped into human and animal figures.
Travel to Tampaksiring for the island's best selection of woven baskets, hats and figures made of bamboo, coconut and teakwood. The Handicrafts Center in Denpasar is a craftworkers' cooperative offering crafts of all kinds from Bali and throughout Indonesia.
For traditional Balinese painting, go to the village of Kamasan, which has a school of painting specializing in the figures of traditional wayang puppet theater.