Balinese Rice Terraces

Those stunning, emerald-green landscapes you see in every photo of Bali? They’re more than just pretty scenery. They are a 1,000-year-old engineering marvel and a living UNESCO World Heritage site.

Let’s get straight to it. The Balinese rice terraces are shaped by a sophisticated irrigation system called subak. This system is the island’s spiritual and agricultural lifeblood, reflecting the core Balinese philosophy of harmony between humans, nature, and the spiritual world. Understanding this makes visiting them a much richer experience.

Many tourists just snap a photo and leave. We’ll show you how to truly appreciate these iconic landscapes. This guide will help you visit the terraces like a traveler, not just a tourist.

From the famous Tegalalang to the vast Jatiluwih, here’s what you need to know to explore Bali’s green heart.