Rice fields are common in the landscapes of Bali, where agriculture has been an integral part in the life of the Balinese people for thousands of years. The image of nature and people living together in harmony can be found here. A scenery that can’t be made up.
Beautiful when the sun reflects in the water of the fields and glowing with yellow ears when the harv-est is ripe, Bali’s rice fields are a feast for the eyes – and definitely a photographer’s dream. If you find yourself in one of Bali’s vast rice fields during your off the beaten path travel around the island, then you’ll see that sometimes words just can’t describe the emerald-green beauty that sprawls right before your eyes.
One rice filed that has made its way to the many Bali guide books, and has been snapped by countless cameras, is the terraced rice fields of Tegallalang. Visitors flock to the area, found north of Ubud and are welcomed by the many layers of rice paddies before them. Several lookout points are provided so you can look down onto the terraced fields, allowing you to capture that perfect kodak moment. But if you can go down, why just look down?
Tegallalang’s rolling hills and meandering terraces are explorable, for pathways have been carved out of the soil for easy access. Below you’ll find several spots that are especially made for you to take sel-fies with the rice fields as the backdrop! Of course, taking your time while having a pleasant stroll around the terraces and up to the other side of the hill should be the highlight of your visit here.
Then again, fame has its price. Aside from the breathtaking view of the terraced rice field, you will also be greeted by the sales pitches of the hawkers (young and and old) trying to sell you souvenirs as you squeeze your way through the heavily trafficked road and tourist jam. There’s also a chance you’ll meet this photogenic old Balinese farmer who is willing to pose for or with you in exchange for some Indonesian rupiahs.
But if you don’t get too bothered by the hawkers, and can look past the overcrowding tourists, it would be effortless for you to appreciate the beautiful scenery, and the time it must have taken to carve such astounding landscape nto the side of the hill.
Moving from Tegallalang to the area dubbed as the ‘rice bowl’ of Bali, Tabanan is just where to go if you long for tranquility and relaxation – and if you would like to experience Bali in its own special and traditional nature. This beautifully landscaped regency is divided into a series of environments. The lowlands are covered with rice fields, while the high hills around greet travellers with terraces carved out of the fertile soil. Take a walk through the villages and be swept away in the melodies of the game-lan orchestra at the bale banjar or community centre. You may well be the only visitor there at that time.
The region’s landscape that is both spectacular and truly exotic is the home to the grand sight of ter-raced rice fields that carpet the ground for as far as the eyes can see in Jatiluwih. Comprising over 600Ha of rice fields that follow the flowing hillside topography of Mount Batukaru range, Jatiluwih sets an exceptional example of Bali’s irrigation system known as subak, which dates back to the 9th cen-tury.
You can find a number of restaurants along the small road overlooking the rice terraces. From here you can enjoy the lovely view of Jatiluwih while having a meal (international and local cuisines), or a cup of coffee, letting time slip by. Different from its Tegallalang counterpart, Jatiluwih allows the visitors to really enjoy the largest and most picturesque expanse of paddies on the island undisturbed, for tourist jam is not a common sight here.
And while you’re in Tabanan, you should also make a stop at Papuan village, an area with similar views like Jatiluwih. Upon approaching the village, lush green views will come into sight. Of course, you need to go further up the village to enjoy the view of Pupuan.
