Bali is changing and growing at an unprecedented rate. Almost every month, a new hotel, resort, or lifestyle complex opens or begins construction.
Bali’s Canggu is not only the most popular resort on the island but also the fastest-growing, and a new lifestyle centre, including a sizeable shopping mall, is set to be built this year.
The announcement of the new Canggu Hills Shopping Centre has been met with mixed reviews from local residents and long-term community members in the Canggu area.
The project, set to be developed by PT Asia Mas Realty, will be a two-story shopping mall for approximately 35 commercial units and space for 200 tenants in the heart of bustling Pererenan.
The centre is set to open in 2028 with construction already underway. The Canggu Hills development will also be a mixed-use zone, and expanded plans show residential properties and other commercial spaces.
Pererenan is the heart of Canggu, which only a few years ago was a small traditional coastal Balinese village frequented by surfers and backpackers. In less than a decade, the village has transformed into a busy tourism resort and reached international acclaim. In 2024, Pererenan was named the Best Neighbourhood in the World by TimeOut Magazine, which catapulted the area’s growth yet further.
The team behind the Canggu Hills project has shared a little more about their vision for the development. PT Asia Mas Reality sees Canggu Hills “becoming an integrated area in Canggu, bringing together the harmony of property development that blends natural green beauty with comfort, creating a balanced destination for living and business.”
The company has a four-step mission and is committed to focusing on “Developing tourist accommodations that serve as a hub for business, entertainment, shopping, and inspiring living within the area. Developing residential zones equipped with green and blue open spaces, along with recreational facilities that support a balanced lifestyle of activity and relaxation.
They are also working to implement ”sustainable development by utilizing eco-friendly technologies and responsible resource management to help preserve the local environment. Building relationships and supporting local culture.”
Nearby hotels and resorts like the Tujung Boutique Resort have been singing the praises of the potential benefits of the development.
The hotel shared, “Canggu Hills is more than a property development. It’s a vision of how modern life can flourish alongside nature and tradition. Whether you’re a traveler looking for a peaceful place to stay in Bali or an investor seeking the next big opportunity, Canggu Hills Bali is where the new era of living begins.”
However, many Bali lovers have been quick to highlight major concerns with the development, ranging from cultural preservation to land conversion to the impact on the surrounding infrastructure in Canggu.
While many of Canggu’s biggest developments have claimed to support local culture and to have taken sufficient environmental measures, the reality is that Canggu has grown so quickly that basic infrastructure changes have not been implemented.
This has led to major traffic management issues, and the widespread congestion and frequent gridlock throughout Canggu have made the area something of a laughing stock. It’s clear that both locals and tourists maintain a positive outlook on the traffic situation, but the reality simply isn’t funny.
Many are calling for massive infrastructure overhauls in top tourism resort areas like Canggu before any further developments are allowed to continue.
Speaking to reporters back in December 2025, Prof Dr Ida Bagus Raka Suardana revealed the true impact the rapid conversion of agricultural land into tourism developments is having on Bali’s landscape.
Citing data from the BPN, Prof Suardana confirmed that 6,521 hectares of productive agricultural land, or 9% of Bali’s farming landscape, were lost between 2019 and 2024.
For tourists traveling to Bali, it is both difficult and inappropriate to shoulder any responsibility for the island’s sustainable development. However, tourists can still ensure that their hard-earned vacation money makes their vacation everything they dream it to be.
For those looking to dive right into the heart of the action in Canggu, there is so much to enjoy, including all these modern new developments; the trade-off, however, is the risk of traffic and crowds. For those who want to experience open roads and crowd-free cultural adventures, then there are plenty of destinations calling out to be visited; give the north and east a go!
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