The Jatiluwih rice terraces in Tabanan flow down the southern slopes of the Batukaru mountain range in West Bali. These rice fields cover over 600 hectares and follow the cascading hillside of the highlands. They are well-maintained by the local village cooperative.
Jatiluwih is probably the largest and most picturesque of all the rice terraces in Bali. Entrance to the main area requires a fee that goes to the local village cooperative fund. You’ll get the impressive 180-degree ‘sea of green’ views just halfway up along the paddy roadside. If you’re in the area, you can visit a neighboring site in the village of Pupuan, a short distance away.
Home to Tegallalang rice terraces, the craftsmen’s village of the same name is one of the Ubud region’s three villages famous for their terraced landscapes. Others include Pejeng to its east and Campuhan to its west. The high roadside outlook at Tegallalang is cool and breezy. Situated in a small valley which is crowded with palm trees, the scenery here is quite compact and busy.
We visited Tegallalang and took photos at one of the numerous restaurants that serve coffee and local cuisine with spectacular views. Art kiosks and cafes near the ledge offer all sorts of paintings and carvings at bargain prices.
Both of these beautiful sites beg the question: “Does it get any better than this?”
Banaue, Philippines: Better than Bali?
The Banaue rice terraces are an extensive system of irrigated rice fields located in the mountains of north-central Luzon, Philippines. They were created more than 2,000 years ago by the Ifugao people. Although they span several different villages, they are collectively known as the Banaue rice terraces. They have been officially designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
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