The widest terraces
Green expanses to the horizon.
Stefan Fussan — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Imacim — CC BY-SA 4.0 · chensiyuan — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Stefan Fussan — CC BY-SA 3.0
Bali's widest and loveliest rice terraces, spreading across hundreds of hectares on the slopes of Mount Batukaru in the west of central Bali, and part of the subak cultural landscape added to UNESCO's World Heritage list in 2012 in recognition of the communal irrigation system the Balinese have used to manage their fields since the ninth century. Unlike narrow, crowded Tegallalang, here open green expanses stretch to the horizon, with marked walking trails of different lengths between paddies and channels, where you see farmers at work with the mountains behind them. The air is cooler thanks to the altitude, and the place far quieter. Entry is about one hundred thousand rupiah for foreign adults and about fifty thousand for children. Restaurants in the area overlook the terraces. Bali's tourist levy is separate. It is about two hours by car from the south, so pair it with Ulun Danu Beratan temple in one day. Bring a hat, water and walking shoes, and choose a short trail if you have children with you.
Green expanses to the horizon.
Part of the subak landscape since 2012.
Between paddies and channels.
Jatiluwih, Tabanan, on the slopes of Mount Batukaru
The terraces are lovely all year, but the colour changes: bright green while growing, gold before harvest, and shining water after planting. Early morning gives the clearest mountain views.