Most of the north coast falls under the regency of Buleleng, the capital city of which, Singaraja, was once Bali’s chief port. This long contact with outside influences in reflected in the ethnic diversity of its population and as a starting place for new artistic developments, which later spread south. The ruling house came to power in the17th century and conquered parts of Karangasem, Jembrana and East Java, forming an alliance with Mengwi that lasted until the end of the 18th century when Karangasem returned to power and took Buleleng. During the mid 1800s the Dutch defeated Buleleng in their first attempt to take Bali, making Singaraja the island’s first capital, as evident in the abundance of colonial architecture that remains standing there to this day. 
Traditional arts 
The colonial influence on Singaraja is also evident in the housing there of Bali’s largest collection of lontar palm-leaf books, in the Gedong Kirtya library. It is to here that many a post-colonial researcher flocks, desperately seeking wisdom in their ongoing scrutiny of Bali. 
Temple-going 
The coastal road leading both east and west of Singaraja leads past dramatic ocean scenes and a number of interesting temples. The road west, which leads to the low-key, relaxed tourist resort of Lovina, passes the temples of Pulaki and Dalem Melanting. The road east passes the elaborately carved Pura Beji at Sangsit and Pura Maduwe Karang at Kubutambahan, with its famous flower-wheeled bicycle relief. The Pura Dalam temple at Jagaraga also has peculiarly modern reliefs, depicting planes and car robberies. 
Eco-tours 
For visitors who are also nature-lovers, Buleleng provides joyful relief. Firstly, the district boasts the crisp, misty highland area which harbours Gitgit Falls. Down by the coast, east of Singaraja, there are natural springs at both Air Panas (hot) and Air Saneh (cold). And at Lovina, sightings of dolphins leaping beyond the black sand beaches are frequent.