The Gianyar Regency

The Gianyar Regency was home to Bali's oldest kingdoms, the Buddhist Warmadewa dynasty in Bedulu - Pejeng that ruled until the 14th century, and another center in Batuan. The conquering Javanese set up court in Samprangan, which later moved east to Gelgel and Klungkung.

The area faded in history until the 18th Century when the Klungkung family founded Sukawati, a short-lived dynasty that fell with the rising Gianyar Kingdom. Rivals from Sukawati set up courts in Ketewel, Singapadu, Negara, Peliatan, Ubud and Tegallalang, which led to decades of warfare. Gianyar is the center of arts, has everything from stone carving and daily Barong-Rangda trace dances in Batubulan, jewelry in Celuk, and huge art market in Sukawati for the best range of souvenirs including locally made fans and puppets.