Just 15 minutes from Ubud lies Goa Gajah, or the Elephant Cave. This ancient site, which dates back over a millennium, reflects both Hindu and Buddhist elements, and was lost to time until Dutch archaeologists rediscovered it in 1923.
Believed to have been constructed by the Warmadewa Dynasty between the 10th and 14th centuries, the temple features both above-ground and subterranean structures. The most striking feature is the cave's entrance - a giant, gaping mouth of a mythical creature, thought to be a Hindu earth god called Bhoma.
While the cave itself is compact, the surrounding complex offers much more to explore: tranquil bathing pools, ancient statues, temple ruins, and a lush ravine.