Bali’s rice terraces: a landscape that is still at work

Rice terraces around Ubud can look like a landscape designed for photographs. They are also places of cultivation, shaped by water, labour and relationships between communities. That should influence how you visit them.

UNESCO’s recognition of Bali’s subak cultural landscape explains the connection between cooperative water management, temples and the philosophy of Tri Hita Karana. Not every terrace near Ubud is part of the inscribed property, but the wider story helps you see more than a pattern of green steps.

Use permitted paths, respect working areas and ask before entering private land. If you choose a local guide, look for someone who can explain the agricultural setting as well as the viewpoints. Leave enough time to notice water moving through the landscape. The best souvenir may be a clearer understanding of how the fields function.