Denpasar is the largest city on the island, the centre of commerce and governmental administration. The main street of the old town Jalan Gajahmada, is the major commercial centre of shop, banks and restaurants. This the backs onto sprawling complex of stalls which is the Pasar Badung market place. Here is every available, imaginable commodity from salted fish, spaces and herb to gold jewellery and woven cloths. Here also, are located several of Denpasar's modern department stores and supermarkets such as Tiara Dewata, Ramayana Mall, Matahari Department Store, Rimo, and more.

Bali merges with Indonesia in Denpasar. The capital hosts all government administration offices as well as most universities and higher learning institutions, home to about 25,000 students. The local economy is geared to the needs of the nearby resorts of Sanur, Kuta and Nusa Dua, to where many residents commute daily.

Non Balinese now makes up around 50% of the city population. There are Javanese kampung, Chinese and Arab/Punjabi areas. On the whole, except in the "old villages of the city" which are solely Balinese, the population is very mixed.

Denpasar is not an easy place to visit. To see the old city, take a drive around the old villages of Kedaton, Sumerta, Tonja and especially Kesiman, whose redbrick-style shrines and gates are the simplest yet most beautiful in Bali. The Mospahit temple on the road to Tabanan dates back to the 14th century, another marvel of redbrick architecture.

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