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Photo: Bair175, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The primary draw in this area for visitors is the Tirta Gangga water palace, a lovely maze of pools and fountains surrounded by a lush garden and stone carvings and statues. The one hectare complex was built in 1946 by the late King of Karangsem but was destroyed almost entirely by the eruption of nearby Mount Agung in 1963. It has been lovingly re-built and restored and has an air of authentic royal magnificence. The centrepiece of the palace is an eleven tiered fountain, and there are many beautiful carvings and statues adorning the gardens. This is a great spot to unwind and it has a real atmosphere of old Bali. You can bathe in the pools for a small charge which is additional to the Rp 50,000 (foreigners) or Rp 10,000 (Indonesians) entrance fee.
Tirta Gangga is a former royal palace in eastern Bali, Indonesia. Named after the sacred river Ganges in India, it is noted for the Karangasem royal water palace, bathing pools and its Patirthan temple.
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Pura Lempuyang Luhur
Lempuyang Temple (Pura Lempuyang Luhur) is about 10 km east of Tirtagangga on the slopes of Mount Lempuyang. This is one of the key nine directional temples on the island. Park in the car park and walk up the steps to the temple. The lower temple is always open but the upper temple (at the top of the dragon staircases) is often locked, so it is best to go with a Balinese driver who will usually be able to arrange for the temple priest to open it up for you. It's situated high up a mountain and there are magnificent sunset views at dusk.