- Address: Jalan Tegallalang, Tegallalang, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80561, Indonesia
- Visit time: 7: 00-17: 00
Rice ("nasi") is the main product on the Indonesian table, and therefore rice terraces can be seen in many parts of the country. It is a miracle of nature and humanity, because every terrace was once built by hand. Pastoral landscapes of rice fields often become background pictures of tourist booklets and postcards, because this is the real "face" of the island of Bali along with its luxurious beaches , monkey forest and other sights .
How to grow rice on terraces?
Thanks to the unique climate of Ubud, the crops are fruited here several times a year. One crop ripens in 3 months. The rice is planted, processed and harvested by hand, because no agricultural machinery can simply stop by here. Plow the fields in the old manner - with the help of buffaloes.
Rice is one of the most hygrophilous cultivated plants, and it must be provided with water continuously. For this purpose, the rice terraces of Bali use an irrigation system that has been tested by time - it was invented several thousand years ago, and little has changed since then. Water is fed through a complex branched canal system, and terraces of clay soil in this case are the most convenient form. Remove from each hectare of a terraced field of 4-5 tons of rice.
What is interesting for tourists on the rice terraces?
Terraces in Ubud in Bali are called Tegallalang, because they are located near the homonymous village. There are other fields of rice on the island, but these are considered the most popular: firstly, because of the successful location, and secondly, due to its "photogenic".
Rice on these terraces grows very well - in fact, these are ideal conditions for growing it. But tourists are not very interested in yield records and features of agricultural processes. Foreign travelers come here to:
- look at the legendary and very picturesque terraces;
- make an exclusive photo on a background of bright greenery;
- to see with my own eyes how the rice familiar to all grows;
- to appreciate the originality of the "rice temples": the Balinese have long been offering gifts to the goddess of fertility, and the sanctuaries are built here on the fields.
And another interesting feature of the rice terraces in Bali. Having arrived here again with a slight difference in time, you will be very surprised. The rice grows very quickly, and the landscape changes at the same speed:
- When the fields are just planted, it looks like a blue sky reflected in the swampy terraces.
- Sprouting, the rice covers the fields with bright emerald greenery.
- Ripe ears from a distance sparkle with gold.
- After harvesting the fields are empty - no one will be lucky who finds this time. However, you can see a lot of ducks, which the peasants are sent to the terraces, so they glue the remaining grains.
When going on a tour of the Tegallalang rice terraces, be sure to take repellents, as there are always a lot of insects on the terraces. And be careful: wherever rice grows, snakes can be found!
How to get there?
From Ubud you can get to Tegallalang for 15-20 minutes (5 km). Rice terraces lie to the north of the city. If you go by car or bike, you need to move from the central market of Ubud along the eastern road, and near the intersection with a large monument to turn north.