Immediately east of the presidential palace, Pura Tirta Empul (tirtaempultemple.com; adult/child 75,000/50,000Rp) dates from 962 CE (although little remains from then). This water temple is believed to have magical powers, and the holy springs bubble up into a large pool and gush out through waterspouts into a petirtaan (bathing area). The site is always thronged with Balinese and visitors performing the melukat ritual cleansing, which is meant to assure a better future.
For a more serene setting, go downstream about 500m and take a long flight of steps down to Pura Mengening (free), a temple with a freestanding candi similar in design to those at Gunung Kawi . This towering stone structure is thought to be more than 1000 years old.
The ticket price includes sarong hire.
