Perched deep in the misty highlands of Kintamani, Pura Balingkang remains one of Bali’s most culturally significant temples. It is a meeting point between Balinese Hindu tradition and centuries-old Chinese influence, shaped by the legendary marriage between Raja Jayapangus and Kang Ching Wie. Their story forms one of the island’s most important cross-cultural narratives, reflected in both ritual and collective memory.
Reaching Pura Balingkang is a journey through layers of history. Travelers enter via Sukawana Village, a quiet highland community known for its crisp air and terraced farms. The road continues toward the ancient sanctuary of Pura Pucak Penulisan before dropping sharply into pine forest. Here the air thickens with the scent of resin and earth. When the trees part, the dramatic caldera of Mount Batur opens like a vast amphitheater. This route mirrors the temple’s identity: a meeting of cultures shaped by trade, movement, and the landscape itself.
Historical Background
The roots of Pura Balingkang trace back to the twelfth century during the reign of Raja Jayapangus. His era marked a period of expanding trade and growing interaction between Bali and merchants from greater Asia. Among these encounters emerged the story of Kang Ching Wie, a woman of Chinese heritage whose family was involved in regional trading routes.
Their union symbolizes more than romance; it represents cultural exchange, political openness, and the merging of two distinct worlds. Over time, both figures were venerated as Ratu Ngurah and Ratu Gede Mas Balingkang. Their deification honors prosperity, protection, and harmony between cultures.
Chinese Influence in Pura Balingkang
The clearest evidence of Chinese influence at Pura Balingkang is the presence of kepeng coins, known in Bali as pis bolong. These round metal coins with square centers were once used in China during the Song and Yuan dynasties. Thousands of pis bolong have been found in the Kintamani region and are now considered sacred objects within Balinese ceremonial practice.
In Balinese belief, pis bolong symbolizes prosperity, protection, and the harmonious union of male and female energies. Offerings such as bebangkit, daksina, and pejati often incorporate pis bolong to represent balance and abundance.
The Legend of Jayapangus and Kang Ching Wie
Balinese oral tradition recounts that Jayapangus was captivated by the beauty and wisdom of Kang Ching Wie. Their marriage became a powerful symbol of unity, though some versions of the legend include resistance and divine trials. Many tellings end in tragedy, yet their spirits are believed to have ascended into divine realms.
Today, worshippers come to Pura Balingkang seeking blessings for prosperity, harmonious families, and safe travel, honoring the couple not only as historical figures but as protective deities.
The Route to Pura Balingkang
The journey to Pura Balingkang is as meaningful as the temple itself. After entering through Sukawana Village, the road climbs toward Pura Pucak Penulisan, one of Bali’s oldest sites of mountain worship. As the path descends, pine forests envelop travelers in quiet solitude. When the forest opens, sweeping views of Mount Batur and its dark volcanic terrain create a dramatic sense of arrival.
This landscape reinforces the temple’s character as a place removed from ordinary life, preparing visitors for its historical and spiritual depth.
Architecture and Temple Layout
Architecturally, Pura Balingkang follows traditional Balinese Hindu design with split gates, courtyards, and shrines dedicated to divine aspects. Yet its distinguishing features lie in the integration of Chinese cultural elements. Kepeng coins appear in carvings, shrines, and ritual structures, while certain artistic motifs show subtle Chinese influence.
Although these elements enrich the temple’s character, the core layout remains true to Balinese sacred architecture. The blend reflects how Balinese culture has historically adapted external influences while maintaining its identity.
Cultural Significance Today
Today, Pura Balingkang is a living heritage site. During its Piodalan and on auspicious days in the Balinese calendar, kepeng coins take a central role in rituals. Local communities uphold the legacy of Jayapangus and Kang Ching Wie as guardians of prosperity and unity.
The temple also illustrates Bali’s long-standing openness to exchange and migration. Rather than existing in isolation, Balinese culture has evolved through continuous interaction with other civilizations.
Pura Balingkang and the Balinese Economy
The arrival of kepeng coins shaped more than ritual life. For centuries, kepeng functioned as a form of currency and later became key to ceremonies and social rites. Their association with prosperity reinforces the temple’s broader narrative: that economic life and spiritual identity are deeply connected in Bali.
Even today, kepeng remains essential in weddings, temple festivals, and agricultural rituals, linking ancient trade routes to modern Balinese practices.
Symbolism Within the Temple Narrative
At its core, Pura Balingkang represents layers of meaning:
Harmony between cultures
Balance of masculine and feminine energies
Integration of trade, spirituality, and community life
Acceptance of diversity within Balinese identity
These layers reveal that Balinese culture is strengthened through openness and adaptation rather than separation.
Preservation and Heritage
Growing interest in Balinese cultural heritage has drawn attention to Pura Balingkang as a key site for understanding Bali’s pre-Majapahit history. Preservation efforts now focus on safeguarding both the temple’s physical structures and the stories surrounding it.
The legacy of Kang Ching Wie also highlights the often-overlooked role of women of foreign origin in shaping Balinese history, adding depth to contemporary cultural studies.
Conclusion
Pura Balingkang stands as one of Bali’s most meaningful cultural landmarks. Its history reflects the meeting of Balinese kingship and Chinese influence through the bond of Jayapangus and Kang Ching Wie. The temple’s journey through Sukawana Village, Pucak Penulisan, pine forests, and the vast Batur landscape amplifies its timeless quality.
As Bali continues to evolve, Pura Balingkang reminds us that cultural identity thrives through connection, exchange, and shared meaning.