Klungkung Royal Palace Tour Overview
Step into the heart of Bali’s royal heritage through this thoughtfully curated journey into Klungkung, once the political and cultural center of Bali.
Tour Sequence :
Kerta Gosa Pavilion
Begin your visit at this exquisite 18th-century hall of justice, famous for its traditional kamasan-style ceiling paintings. The pavilion was used for royal court sessions and showcases Bali’s complex moral, legal, and spiritual codes.
Klungkung Museum
Just steps away, this small but rich museum offers deeper insight into the region’s royal lineage, artifacts, and the cultural legacy of Klungkung.
Royal Palace (Puri Agung Semarapura)
Meet a member of the Klungkung royal family, or if available, the king himself. You’ll be invited to a personal conversation over refreshments, where stories of the kingdom’s past and present are shared firsthand.
Endek Weaving Family Workshop
End the journey with a visit to a family-run weaving company that has preserved the art of endek—a traditional Balinese ikat weaving technique—over three generations. Observe the process and meet the artisans continuing this beautiful legacy.
Brief History of Klungkung Kingdom
The Klungkung Kingdom, also known as the Kingdom of Semarapura, was the highest-ranking kingdom in Bali from the late 17th century until the early 20th century. It was founded by descendants of the powerful Gelgel dynasty, who traced their lineage to the Majapahit Empire of Java.
Klungkung was a center of art, literature, and political power, respected by other Balinese kingdoms. Though it faced colonial resistance and was heavily impacted by the Puputan War in 1908 against the Dutch, the royal family retained symbolic and cultural significance. Today, they continue to uphold traditions and contribute to the preservation of Balinese culture.