Denpasar is classified as one of the big cities owned by Indonesia. However, that does not mean that Denpasar doesn’t have a historical story. However, you can see the development of Denpasar city, from ancient times until today, on Jalan Gajah Mada. There, you will find facts and evidence that Denpasar has long been a business center in Bali.

Unfortunately, in the old city of Denpasar, you won’t find many typical colonial-style Dutch buildings. This is because Denpasar has only been appointed as the capital of the province of Bali since 1958. Before independence, the status of "important city" in Bali was located in Singaraja, Buleleng. 

The historic area of Jalan Gajah Mada has a relatively small size, which is only 1.5 kilometers long. However, there are important relics that prove the importance of the city of Denpasar in the past. You can also visit the zero point of the city of Denpasar, located in the area. As mentioned above, Denpasar has long been a business center. The traders who gather and build buildings in this area also consist of various kinds of people from different ethnicities and regions. On the left and right sides of the road, you will see buildings with Chinese and Arabic-style architectural designs. However, there are also several buildings in colonial style. Electronic and drug stores are usually owned by the Chinese community. While the fabric shop belongs to the Arab community. Although there are various kinds of ethnicities along this road, they still live side by side in harmony until today. 

As the tourism industry in Bali develops, this old city on Jalan Gajah Mada is increasingly recognized by the public. This is also supported by the Denpasar city government which has now started to be active in popularizing the region as a tourist spot. Since 2008, Jalan Gajah Mada has also been declared as a heritage area. There are no signboards that indicate that this road is a heritage area. Even so, tourists still arrive and enjoy the buildings and activities of the people along this road. 

Besides learning history, you can also find various interesting photo spots! Moreover, old buildings in colonial, Chinese, and Arabic styles can be used as a background for selfies. So, you can take pictures with a vintage style that can enhance your Instagram feed.