Nuanu Creative City: A Whole New World in Bali
Nuanu Creative City feels like something pulled from the minds behind The Hobbit, Avatar, and Burning Man—a place that shouldn’t exist, but does. Set on 44 hectares of lush Bali landscape, it’s the brainchild of Sergey Solonin, who envisioned what Bali was missing: a sustainable, living, breathing ecosystem where changemakers can live, work, and play. This isn’t just a city; it’s an intricate blend of art, education, food, nature, technology, and culture—an entire world built for forward thinkers, creators, and visionaries.
The Design Ethos
Walking through Nuanu, you can feel its heartbeat. Every space has been designed to flow and connect, inspired by the Fibonacci sequence and golden ratios—where movement and harmony dictate form. Buildings curve around ancient trees (no tree cutting here), creating a city that adapts to the land rather than altering it. From the rooftops to the pathways, there’s a conscious effort to celebrate nature—70% of Nuanu’s space remains green, and structures rise up in collaboration with the existing environment.
Even the smallest details have stories: 80% of waste is recycled into functional furniture, 5% of revenue goes directly into social and environmental funds supporting local initiatives, and craftsmanship is preserved by employing Bali’s traditional artists.
First Stop: Luna Beach Club
I was collected in a stretch golf buggy—naturally—and taken to Restaurant 369 inside Luna Beach Club, a vortex-like bamboo and basalt structure that’s both breathtaking and alive with energy. The scene felt like a global crossroads, buzzing with people from around the world, sharing food, drinks, and stories under the beats of a live DJ.
The food? Equally captivating. I started with Coral Trout Carpaccio, dressed in coconut tiger’s milk, radish, and lemon basil oil, served on a smoking plate like a dish straight out of a dream. The grilled prawns with spiced butter and curry tempeh followed, and every bite reflected both creative flair and thoughtful simplicity.
A City of Wonder
From Luna Beach, I wandered further into Nuanu and stumbled into what can only be described as magic: a waterslide leading to Utopia, a cave bar hidden among beach front lagoons, where cocktails flow as the sun dips below the horizon. Nearby, there’s a secret garden—home to dragonfly and butterfly breeding programs, a quiet corner of natural wonder.
Further into Nuanu, the real magic unfolds at Aurora Media Park, a permanent outdoor immersive experience blending art, technology, and nature. This is a playground for the senses, featuring light and sound installations that respond to touch, music, and movement. Imagine sculptures glowing to life under your fingertips or light displays that synchronize with the soundscape. Augmented and Virtual Reality elements make it feel like walking through a dream where art doesn’t just exist—you become part of it.
Exploring the multiple living areas we began at the Labyrinth, dotted with Hobbit-like living bungalows, each one unique and intimate. It’s a nod to fantasy while remaining functional. And if beach views is more your vibe this is also covered facing the cliff along with with treehouse eco-living at Oshom.
Wellness Reimagined
I’d heard whispers about Lumiera Wellness Area, particularly the Dome Sauna and its Ancient Slavic steam treatments (Parenia), and let me tell you—it’s otherworldly. You begin with aromatic herbal steam wafting around your body, guided by leafy veniki brushes tapping rhythmic whispers against your skin. The journey builds to a shock—a cold bucket shower and plunge pool—awakening every sense in your body.
Walking out of the steam into an ice bath, I floated to the pool where music flows through the water. I’m not kidding—I had an out-of-body moment staring up at the swaying bamboo, the soft hum of sound surrounding me, the weight of peace washing over.
Art, Events, and Culture
Nuanu doesn’t stop at wellness. It’s a celebration of art and cultural exchange. Events like Suara Festival bring together three days of music, art, and performances, turning the city into a vibrant hub of creativity.
One of my favourite areas is a 21m diameter dome with a cutting-edge audiovisual experience using TouchDesigner, Kinect, and surround sound technologies, where they bring visionary ideas to life and showcase them in a concert setting.
Iconic art installations pepper the grounds, with pieces like the THK Tower, designed by architect Arthur Mamou-Mani, standing tall as a symbol of futuristic design and artistic innovation. In keeping with Nuanu’s ethos of cultural connection, they even sent their Head of Art Village to Burning Man to collaborate and bring back fresh inspiration for Bali’s art scene.
Beyond the jaw-dropping architecture and immersive experiences, Nuanu is about community. It’s home to an international school that provides free education to over 150 local children, prioritizing empowerment through learning. Social and environmental initiatives are woven into its fabric, ensuring that growth in Nuanu benefits everyone.
A Good Kind of Chaos
Walking through Nuanu Creative City, I felt like I was discovering something new every few steps. It’s a place where fantasy and innovation meet reality, and where art, technology, and nature are not just balanced—they’re celebrated. Whether you’re sipping cocktails at Utopia, floating in the music-infused pool, or wandering through Aurora’s luminous sculptures, Nuanu feels like it exists outside time—its name, after all, means “in the process.”
Sergey Solonin and his team haven’t just created a city. They’ve created a movement—one that reminds us that with the right vision, we can build something beautiful, connected, and sustainable. With new venues, initiatives and events planned over the next few years this place is going to blow your mind.
Nuanu isn’t just worth visiting. It’s worth getting lost in.
