The Penglipuran Village in Bali is renowned for its cleanliness and tidiness, earning it the title of one of the three cleanest villages in the world, alongside Giethoorn Village in the Netherlands and Mawlynnong Village in India. This tourist village has garnered numerous accolades for its immaculate surroundings, including the Kalpataru Award, the Indonesia Sustainable Tourism Award (ISTA) in 2017, and a place on the Green Destinations Foundation’s list of the top 100 sustainable destinations.
Located on Jln. Penglipuran in the Kubu District of Bangli Regency, Penglipuran Village is an indigenous village that has been transformed into a tourist destination, attracting visitors from all over the world. It’s only 27 kilometers or around 1 hour’s driving from the center of Ubud. To preserve the sanctity of the village, vehicles of any kind are not allowed to enter the main area. Visitors can park their vehicles in designated parking spaces and take a five-minute walk to the front yard of Penglipuran Village.
Upon arriving at Penglipuran Village, visitors are greeted with an immaculately clean and organized environment. The villagers uphold the Tri Hita Karana concept, which emphasizes harmony and balance in the relationships between humans, nature, and God. This principle guides them in maintaining the cleanliness of their surroundings.
The name Penglipuran is derived from “Pengeling” and “Pura,” meaning “remembering a holy place,” which reflects the village’s identity as a clean and sacred place. Another unique feature of Penglipuran Village is the uniform design of the houses, which have the same gate, roof, wall, and spatial model. The houses are also neatly lined up, and the yards are adorned with various flowers, making them an ideal background for visitors to take photos.
In addition to taking photos, visitors can also stop by one of the homes of the residents of Penglipuran Village. The villagers are known for their hospitality and warmth, and they sell a variety of handicrafts, including bags and patterned clothes, in their yards. The best time to visit Penglipuran Village is just before or after Galungan, a special day when the village is adorned with penjors, adding to the traditional and festive atmosphere. Regardless of the time of year, visitors can enjoy the beauty and cultural richness of Penglipuran Village, which sits at an altitude of 700 meters above sea level.