Cultural Landscape of Bali

Culture, Nature and Religion are United

UNESCO Cultural Landscape of Bali, Jatiluwih Rice Terrace

This UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bali is more than breathtaking rice terrace landscape, it is the sustainable irrigation system called “Subak” which have been managed water for farming since 19^th century.

Subak system is outstanding; it is controlled by the priests in water temples under Tri Hita Karana philosophy. This is the relationship of humans, earth and gods. Rice is the gift of gods.

Components of Balinese world heritage irrigation system are rice fields, forest, lakes, canals, weirs, tunnels, villages and temples by cooperation and connections.

Subak consisted of 5 rice terraces and water temples. I can’t find the information about the details. As I know, water temples are the royal temple “Pura Taman Ayun” and “Pura Ulun Danu Batur” on the lake of Batur on Kintamani village. I visited 2 rice terraces “Jatiluwih” and “Tagalalang”.

UNESCO Pura Taman Ayun - Water Temple

Pura Taman Ayun “The Royal Temple of Mengwi Empire”

It is one of water temple, the centre of water management for the society. The royal water temple is surrounded by a squared mote which is the symbol of the ocean and temple itself is the symbol of Mount Meru. Temple compound have garden terraces with courtyard. In the inner temple, there are multi-tiers roof Balinese style pagodas, tourists are not allowed to enter.

Jatiluwih Rice Terrace

Jatiluwih rice terrace may not the incredible work by farmers but it is managed by the creative system that cooperated by many classes of Hinduism society via religious rituals and culture.

Green and wide space of the rice terrace providing stunning pictures, I spent lunch time at Billy’s Terrace, a restaurant located on the best position of the village, although food and drinks are not delicious and pretty expensive. Visitors can sit and appreciate the panoramic view as long as they want. Other activities visitors can do here are village exploring and trekking through the rice fields for 1-2 hours.

Tagalalang Rice Terrace, Bali

Tagalalang Rice Terrace

It is the rice terrace located on the street side on the way between the holy water temple “Tirta Empul” and Ubud town. From the street, visitors can look over the small valley and the terraces. There are souvenir shops, coffee shops and restaurants along the road and tourists can go down stair to walk and climb the rice terrace easily.

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Author : Nam Onrit

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