Ubud | Off-the-beaten-path spots to get close to nature and experience culture

| Off-the-beaten-path spots to get close to nature and experience culture. 🌿Tukad Cepung Waterfall｜Sweet Orange Trail hike｜Kecak Fire Dance performance
Explore the rainforest, step into rice fields, and visit temples—three must-do experiences in Ubud👇
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💧1｜Tukad Cepung Waterfall｜Cave canyoning "Light and Shadow Waterfall"
About a 1-hour scooter and car ride from Ubud, relatively far, but the route passes through rice fields with views of Mount Agung along the way.
🕰 Recommended to arrive early in the morning to avoid crowds, and be sure to choose a sunny day to see the perfect Tyndall effect.

⚠️Tip: You need to queue for photos in front of the waterfall; canyoning and wading are required, so wear non-slip sandals and bring a waterproof bag! No changing rooms or lockers, so bring your own towel/dry clothes, etc.

Sunlight streams through the trees and rock crevices, refracting through the mist into beams of light. It’s almost silent in front of the waterfall, and even the mist is enough to soak your clothes and hair. Immerse yourself fully in nature and enjoy~
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🌾2｜Sweet Orange Trail｜Healing rice field hiking route
Start point: Jl. Kajeng (the entrance is very hidden, in a small alley near Ubud Palace, watch for the sign)
🕰 Hiking time about 1 hour, suitable for early morning or evening
💰Free
🍽️Orange Sweet Warung for food, drinks, and rest
A rice field path hidden behind Ubud city. Just a 20-meter walk from the busy streets leads to a different world—quiet rice fields, coconut groves, and cafes. If lucky, enjoy a sunset here🌇
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🔥3｜Kecak & Fire Dance｜Mysterious and stunning traditional dance
Temple location: Pura Dalem Taman Kaja (city center, about 700m+ from Ubud Palace)
🕰 Only performed at 7:00 PM on Fridays and Mondays
💰Tickets can be purchased offline directly; many staff near the palace sell tickets
⚠️Recommended to enter 30 minutes early; no fixed seating, first come first served, so the earlier you arrive, the better the seats.

Kecak dance is one of Bali’s most iconic traditional dances, inspired by the traditional "Sanghyang" ritual (exorcism dance) and the Indian epic Ramayana. Its biggest feature: no instruments, nearly 100 male dancers chanting "chak chak chak" to create different rhythms.
The fire dance is an ancient ritual where dancers barefoot walk on fire, symbolizing fearlessness and purification after being possessed by spirits, representing sacred power.
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