The Gianyar regency was home to Bali’s oldest kingdoms, the Buddhist Warmadewa dynasty in Bedulu – Pejeng that ruled until the 14th century, and another center in Batuan. The conquering Javanese set up court in Samprangan, which later moved east to Gelgel and Klungkung. The area faded in history until the 18th century when the Klungkung family founded Sukawati as short-lived dynasty that fell with the rising Gianyar kingdom. Rivals from Sukawati set up courts in Ketewel, Singapadu, Negara, Peliatan, Ubud and Tegallalang which led to decades of warfare.

A powerful Gelgel family in Blahbatuh rose during the 19 the century, Dutch assistance restored Gianyar, but not without gaining concessions from the king which spared it the fate of other South Balinese courts in the early 1900s.

Gianyar has everything from stone carving and daily Barong Rangda trace dances in Batubulan, Jewelry in Celuk, and huge art market in Ubud for the best range of souvenirs including locally made fans and puppets.

Batuan produces fine paintings and masks its temple festivals feature rate dances. Mas, Kemenuh, Tengkulak, and Pujung are woodcarving villages, and the Ubud, Peliatan tourist resort area is famous for paintings and galleries.

Gianyar town produces colorful woven cloth, Blahbatuh as a foundry where musical instruments are made. Performances of trance and monkey chant dances are held in nearby Bona, home to palm leaf crafts and bamboo furniture.

The Bedulu – Pejeng area has Bali’s oldest temples, including the Goa Gajah (elephant cave), carved relieves at Yeh Pulu, the huge Samuan Tiga complex, fantastic statues at Kebo Esan and Pursering Jagat, and the famous bronze moon gong and coconut-shell carving.

Natural beauty abounds with a huge waterfall at Tegenungan and spectacular terraced rice-fields at Tegallalang. The Ayung River offers rafting, and thousands of herons return every sunset at Petulu.