Visit the Ubud Palace to see a traditional legong dance at Ubud Palace – a lively introduction to Indonesian art and history. This historical palace is in the Ubud city center, making it easy to include in most Bali itineraries. It was built in the early 19th century and served as the royal residence for many years, and retains much of the grandeur of its heyday.

The Legong dance fits in with these royal surroundings – this dance was invented as a way to entertain royalty. This is also a good introduction to gamelan music, a type of percussive music that’s distinct to this part of the world. Seated musicians play on instruments made of brass or other metals.

Dancers train from a very young age, usually starting at around 4 or 5. The dance tells a story through a series of small gestures – every movement of the head and hands has a special meaning. Colorful costumes make this an especially memorable.

Camera, walking shoes, and money for tips.

Performance at Ubud Palace.