Toya Bungkah Historical Site

Toya Bungkah is a lakeside village on the shore of Lake Batur in central Bali, Indonesia, in the Kintamani area of Bangli Regency. It is located immediately adjacent to the lake and at the foot of the volcanic slopes that form the Batur caldera.

The settlement functions as a small hospitality and service centre for visitors to Lake Batur and trekkers heading to Mount Batur. Lakeside guesthouses, restaurants and simple boat access are the main visitor amenities, and the village is commonly used as a starting point for sunrise hikes up the nearby volcano.

The village developed around the lake and local agriculture and fishing. Over time it has expanded modestly to provide tourism services such as homestays and hot-spring facilities while retaining a small-village character.

Toya Bungkah sits on the eastern shore of Lake Batur within central-northern Bali. It is part of the Kintamani area and lies close to the slopes of Mount Batur and other villages around the Batur caldera.

• Trekking access: Serves as a common base for early-morning treks up Mount Batur and for short lakeside walks and boat rides.
• Hot springs and accommodation: Contains public hot-spring facilities and lakeside guesthouses that cater to trekkers and visitors to Lake Batur.

Known to soothe aching muscles, the sulfurous hot springs at Toya Bungkah are fed by volcanically heated water drawn from beneath the lake; they open daily for a small entrance fee. The public air panas pools behind Amertha are free, though villagers use these shallow waters to wash their clothes and cattle and there is often a good deal of litter about.

Above the springs stands the art centre, also called Balai Seni Toya Bungkah, a retreat for the study of the arts. It takes in an amphitheatre and a dance academy where you can watch local dances or the occasional shadow-puppet performance, or wayang kulit, at no charge. Comfortable rooms and bungalows for rent are spread among its tranquil gardens.