The Tegallalang Rice Terraces represent one of Bali's most iconic landscapes and a living testament to the island's ancient agricultural heritage. These emerald-green stepped paddies cascade down the hillsides north of Ubud, creating a mesmerizing pattern that has been carved into the landscape for over a thousand years.
The terraces utilize the traditional Balinese cooperative irrigation system called "subak," which has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage cultural landscape. This ancient system demonstrates the Balinese philosophy of Tri Hita Karana, which seeks harmony between humans, nature, and the spiritual realm.
Visitors can walk through the terraces on narrow pathways between the paddies, offering intimate views of farmers tending their crops using traditional methods passed down through generations. The landscape changes dramatically with the seasons - from the brilliant green of growing rice to the golden hues of harvest time, and the mirror-like reflections of flooded fields during planting season.