Ubud is to Bali what Jogyakarta is to Java culturally speaking. This is where most accomplished painters, dancers, musicians, carvers and weavers live. Because of its location at the base of the mountains (about 19 miles or 30 kilometers north of Denpasar) temperatures are slightly lower than in the lowlands, and year-round rain showers help to grow lush tropical vegetation. The town itself has grown rapidly during the past decade, and today all main roads are lined with art galleries, shops, and restaurants.