The Sawan area in North Bali is famous for its gamelan factories. This area is the cradle of 'gamelan gong kebyar', the type of gamelan music that is heared all over Bali. It emerged for the first time in 1917 in the village of Jagaraga, where it was 'invented' by one of the local gamelan ensembles. Since that time this type of gamelan music has been 'copied' by groups all over Bali, and nowadays it is the most popular form of gamelan music in Bali.

You can visit the small factories where traditional Balinese craftsmen produce the gamelan instruments. You may try out the instruments, and it is even possible to take lessons, learning how to play them. Of course you can also buy an instrument to take home, to have a typical, traditional Balinese music instrument in your house back home, a truly original and unique souvenir of Bali.