The district of Tabanan comprises two main regions: the mountains and the lower plains. Tanah Lot, probably the best known and most-photographed temple in Bali, is closely associated with the legendary priest Nirartha. Legend says that as he passed by and was impressed by the tiny island's superb setting and suggested to locals that it would be a good place to build a temple. Tanah means earth, and Lot means sea. The temple symbolizes the meeting point of natural and cosmic elements.
Tanah Lot is also famous for its magnificent sunsets. Every dusk tourists flock to witness the fantastic starkly-outlined temple against the glowing horizon. The best view is from the cliff overlooking the temple.