World Heritage Cities is a network of cities across 124 different countries that have historical heritage and remain well-preserved and even actively function.
Denpasar in Bali and Surakarta in Central Java were the two heritage cities in Indonesia that had been able to join the international network thanks to the assistance of the Indonesian Heritage Conservation Agency (BPPI), which was supported by the World Bank.
The BPPI traced Denpasar’s history, finding it was born as a city in 1788, when the center of Badung kingdom was relocated from the Puri Satria palace to the Puri Denpasar royal house. The research also discovered historical trails in Denpasar from Puri Pamecutan castle on Jl. Thamrin, through Jl. Gajahmada and to Puri Satria Royal House.
Other heritage in the city includes Pura Maospait Gerenceng, Kampung Jawa, the business area along Jl. Gajah Mada, the Badung market and the Hotel Inna Veteran. Over time, the area grew as a center that included government and economic activities, and saw acculturation of the Chinese, Indians, Arabs and other people from across the archipelago.
Denpasar is alive and active to today, despite the changing eras, from kingdom, to colonialism, to independence, and the separation from Badung regency in 1992 as an administrative city.
To better introduce this history, Denpasar has created the Jelajah Pusaka tourism program, which provides education and history lessons for Denpasar residents and the public in general, including visitors. Renovations are being performed by the Denpasar administration to strengthen the program. These include pavements along Jl. Gajahmada, the revitalization of the business epicenter in Kumbasari market and the construction of a basement parking lot. The program is being promoted in brochures distributed in schools.
Many visitors choose to walk around the city to enjoy and appreciate it, mostly foreigners who are not attached to tour packages. Denpasar will arrange an information center and make shuttle buses available.
For visitors who want to join the tour, ask you local travel agent or hotel.