The Holy Monkey Forest Sangeh may be the only one that can truly be called a forest. This is the biggest and the first monkey forest introduced as a tourist object in Bali. The high Pala (Nutmeg) trees shade a mossy temple of Bukitsari amidst the forest. It is a Hindu temple, was originally built by the Royal Family of Mengwi, and is now taken care of by the people from the village of Sangeh. The temple heritaged by Mengwi Kingdom, one of Bali's major Kingdoms, which was built in the 17th century.
Visitors should be aware that these monkeys are attracted to shiny objects, so cameras and jewellery should be left behind or well hidden under clothes or in a bag before setting off to explore.
If you walk 1km due south from the central crossroad of Ubud along Monkey Forest Road, Bali's most famous shopping and eating street, brings one to a small grove of ancient trees and winding paths around a death temple and graveyard which is sanctuary to a fearless troop of long-tailed macaques. The monkey forest would be a most peaceful sanctuary had the resident monkeys not become so fearless of strangers in recent years. Some say these monkeys are vehicles for the capricious spirits of the yet unsettled dead, and wise visitors leave it to others to bring gifts of peanuts and bananas.
The monkey forest has become a tourist site of the worst sort. The temple and forest are bouncing with tame monkeys, not yet too mischievous, and there are pleasant guides to accompany visitors around the site. In the center of forest is a temple. The holiest location is situated in the yard and the temple is surrounded by a sacred forest with monkeys which are also considered sacred. There is also inhabitated by a group of bats are hanging all over the branch of trees and flying at all time, attracts of tourist and visitors both domestic or international.
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