Some of the best places to visit in Bali are the rice terraces in Jatiluwih. They give a whole new meaning to the adjective ‘green’. Creeping up the sides of hills, they resemble steps leading towards the sky.
Like many areas of Bali outside the chaos and commerciality of Kuta, the terraces are deserted. Except for a few tourists from nearby resorts, there are few people around; the experience is a private encounter with nature.
The Jatiluwih Rice Fields are situated in the heart of Bali close to Ganung Batukaru. It’s a rural area, with little but farming communities interspersed with a few upscale mountain resorts. There are no tour groups arriving here, not even an ordinary public bus passes by. To reach the site, you must make your own way.
This inaccessibility keeps the crowds away and allows the area to retain its peaceful serenity. The fields span a huge expanse, but a day trip here is enough to appreciate them; however, to really explore, a two-day trip is needed.
In two days you can explore the various areas of the terraces, cross over rivers, and enjoy a picnic lunch in the terraces. And aside from the fields themselves, there are stunning mountains concealing small villages with a host of great restaurants to seek out.
Need to Know
- What is it? a peaceful and serene expanse of rice fields in the deserted area of Jatiluwih, Bali
- Opening hours: 06:00 to 18:00 daily.
- Entrance fee: no charge
- Where: Jatiluwih Village is 65kms from Denpasar, close of the Mount Batukaru National Park boundary
- How to get there: you can reach the village by following the road from Denpasar to Bedugul. When you reach Pacung village, turn left before the restaurant. The location of Jatiluwih is a little lower than the altitude of Bedugul