Karangasem Regency, during the 18th and 19th centuries Karangasem was the most powerful kingdom in Bali but in the middle of the 19th C, it became a vassal of Lombok. Covering 861 sq. km, the district of Karangasem is well known for its breathtaking landscape formed by lava flows from Gunung Agung, the sacred mountain of Bali. Beautiful terraced paddy fields lie at the lower southeastern slopes of the district while coffee and clove plantations are found higher up. Planing salt and fishing are the major economic activities in the coastal areas. Standing 3,142 meters high, Gunung Agung made disaster news on 17th March 1963 when its crater exploded, spewing rivers of Lava and hot volcanic mud down its slopes and into the sea. Ash rained over the whole island and lava streams covering roads isolated its eastern end and even made the sky of Surabaya in east java dark at midday. Large areas of crops and many villages and temples were wiped out.
Thousands of people were either burned to death or suffocated by the searing clouds of hot gas rushing down the volcanic slopes. The villages of Sorga and Lebih, situated high on the slopes of Agung, were totally destroyed. As if by miracle Besakih temple, just six kilometers from the crater, suffered little damage. Nowadays, Mount Agung is quiet and the mother temple Pura Besakih perched 1000 meters up the slope attracts a steady stream of devotees and tourists.
Capital - Amlapura
Highest Peak - Mt. Agung - 3'142 m.
Location: Eastern Bali
Land Area: 839'54 sq. km.
No. Of Districts - 8 (Abang, Babandem, Karangasem, Kubu, Manggis, Rendang, Selat & Sidemen)
Important Phone numbers:
Direct Enquiries - 0363 21108
Karangasem Tourist Office - Tlp: 0363 - 21196
(Address - Jl. Diponegoro, Amlapura.)
Amlapura - Town of Karangasem - Located on the southeastern part of the Regency.
History :
This regency founded in the early 1700's, was still recognized as a kingdom even after Dutch conquest of Bali in the 1900's. This regency still supports many traditions that have been in existence since the 14th century, having resisted the Javanese influence that invaded other regencies of Bali.
Amlapura Town : This regency capital changed its name from Karagasem to Amplapura 1963 after Mt. Agung erupted in the hope that a similar eruption would never again take place.
Agung Kanginan Palace - Reflecting a number of foreign architectural influences in the late 19th century by the king Anak Agung Gede Jelantik. This palace still maintains the royal bedroom with Dutch furnishings, as well as various meeting and ceremonial halls. Royal photographs of the late King and family and various clothes are also on display.
Taman Ujung Pleasure Palace - With an outstanding view to the Lombok Strait over rice paddy fields, this water palace, although barely more than ruins depicts a time of glory and glamour. Moats, pools and water gardens were the passion of the late King of Karangasem. Sadly the palace was badly damaged in both the Mt. Agung eruption of 1963 and a subsequent earthquake in 1979.
Tirtagganga Water Gardens - Built a few years later by the late King of Karangasem this water-garden plays host to bathing pools fed by cool springs, ornamental water features and a swimming pool.
Candi Dasa - Tourist Resort named after old temple on the nearby hillside. Beautiful beaches, good accommodation make Candi Dasa a good place from which to discover the eastern part of Bali. In the village you will find a Gandhi meditation centre on the edge of lotus pond just beside the beach. Offshore islets and coral reefs make it an ideal diving and snorkeling spot.
Tulamben shipwreck - a cargo ship torpedoed in 1942 consequently sunk near the coast of Tulamben and now offers divers an incredible array of marine life, still within shallow waters (between 2-10 m) and in close proximity to the coastline.
Padang Bai - The largest eastern port of Bali, where ferries & ships travel on to Lombok and beyond. Large luxury cruise liners anchor here close to the Silayukti sea temple.
