Sanur is a beautiful coastal town on the southeastern side of Bali. It’s well-known for its laidback and relaxing way of life, but it is sometimes overshadowed by other touristy regions in Bali and many may not know much about the region.
So here are 5 short fun facts about Sanur that we bet you didn’t know!
1. Sanur is the birthplace of Bali’s tourism
Grand Inna Bali Beach – Photo by Edward Speirs
Well before other parts of Bali such as Kuta became famous among tourists, Sanur was one of the first places on the island to be developed specifically for international tourism. Hotel Bali Beach (known as the Grand Inna Bali Beach Hotel today) was the first high-rise building in Bali, and was commissioned to promote tourism in Indonesia. Other hotels such as the Intercontinental Hotel and Sindhu Beach Hotel in Sanur were among the first few built to accommodate the tourism boom.
2. Sanur is known as “Morning of the World”
Famous for its iconic sunrise, Sanur is dubbed as the “Morning of the World”. Many locals and tourists alike flock to the coast as early as 5 a.m. just to catch it in time. The horizon here is free from big obstructions, allowing you to catch the exact moment the sun peeks over the sea. It is the perfect sunrise. There are many tranquil spots along the coast, like cafes and beaches, for you to enjoy the sunrise, and watch as the sky gets painted in an ethereal golden glow.
3. Famous Belgian painter Adrien-Jean Le Mayuer lived in Sanur and now his home is a museum
Photo by @potolawas (Instagram)
Internationally renowned painter Adrien-Jean Le Mayuer from Belgium decided to call Sanur home in 1932. The decision to settle down in Bali came as a result of his captivation by Balinese natural landscapes and the myriad of colours it offered, which influenced his art. Le Mayuer married a Balinese dancer, Ni Pollock, and their home was eventually repurposed into the Musuem Le Mayuer following their deaths. Many of his artworks are exhibited there to this day.
4. The Blanjong Pillar, one of the oldest manmade artefacts in Bali, is found in Sanur
Photo by Namhar Hernanto
Way back in the 10th century, a small monument was carved from a stone pillar by the first king of the Balinese Warmadewa dynasty, King Sri Kesari Warmadewa. On the stone, he inscribed it with descriptions of his military campaigns to his conquests. 1025 years later, it stands in the exact place it was found, the modest Belanjong Temple in Sanur.
5. Sanur is host to the annual Bali Kite Festival
Photo by The Bali Sun
Every July or August, the sky is filled with beautiful, vibrant kites at Padang Galak Beach (or Mertasari Beach) in Sanur. This is Pesta Layangan Bali, the Bali Kite Festival, an important tradition for the locals. Each village spends weeks to design and build their own massive kite that requires a team of people to fly. On the day of the festival, they fly their kites proudly for all to see, and celebrate their hard work. The splendid array of gorgeous designs and colours is a manifestation of all the villages’, and all of Bali’s, inspiring gotong royong (community spirit).
