Amlapura has a rich royal history. Previously named Karangasem, it was the court of the Karangasem kingdom, which stretched as far as Lombok. At one point the centre of the kingdom reversed when the Lombok king attacked his ancestral home. Through affiliations with the Dutch overlords, Karangasem was able to regain power, and remained one of the last surviving kingdoms in Bali. The legacy of the kingdom forms the bulk of the tourist attractions in this area of East Bali.

In Amlapura itself, the royal palace Puri Agung Karangasam remains home to many of the descendants of the former great kingdom. Open to visitors, it’s a fascinating window on the glory days of the past. The last king of Karangasam also built two water palaces and both can be visited: Taman Sukasada in Ujung and Taman Tirta Gangga. They are relaxing and serene places to spend some time, and it’s possible to swim at Taman Tirta Gangga. In 1963, much of Amlapura was destroyed by the eruption of Gunung Agung. To avoid further disaster and confuse the spirits, Karangasem ... Travelfish members only (Full text is around 700 words.)