Jatiluwih Rice Terrace

Fri, 17 Jun 2011

Traditional Bali rice terrace with traditional irrigation system, locally call 'Subak'

Jatiluwih is the most of favorite tourist destination in Bali, famous for beautiful rice terrace unfolding from the foot of mountain until the coastal side. This place is located in Jatiluwih village, district of Penebel belong to Tabanan regency. This spot is about 65 km from the city center of Bali. The trip takes time around one hour to gain this site while pass the amazing scenery of rice field along the way. It is one of marvelous places to visit in Bali with the beautiful view as according to its name from Jati and luwih, where Jati mean really and Luwih meaning especial, good, and beautiful or the equivalent.

The local paddies are planted in this place look typically of the high relative size plant if it is compared with other paddy planted by most farmers in Bali. Despitefully, Jatiluwih also famous with its organic agriculture system due to the location is located in the in the plateau of Watukaru Mount which is suitable for the agriculture development. Jatiluwih is surrounded by cool atmosphere because it is located on the height of 700 meters above sea level.

Most of the farmers still use traditional way in cultivating the rice field. Start from open the land by using traditional plough, organic fertilizer from animals wastes, no pesticides for the plants until harvest system still use local habit in which they do harvest as together with light means. It involves beating the grains out. Everyone involved starts from the beginning of plant the seeds until the harvest.

There is no hesitation that Jatiluwih is a very beautiful place and can offer some of the best scenery on the entire island. On clear days you can see large parts of southern Bali, even if the weather is rainy and cloudy this place has a particular charm and is worth a visit at any time. The weather can change dramatically within minutes, and everywhere you look you see green rice fields and terraces, combined with high mountains and forests this gives a fantastic view. Honestly, you will never find it somewhere in the world.

The rice terrace sets beautiful sight for all seasons, during the watering, or before planting the rice looks like a tremendous construction big glass with asymmetrical size of covers. After the harvest time come, the view often change into varied between green, and dark yellow. The combination of the color created will forms breathtaking views on such as wide view over the terraces which border is very far away down there as far you can see.

In addition, the visitors can see further rice paddies as well as small groups of tropical trees leading right up to the coast and a sea view. Jatiluwih is a mountain village and famed for its magnificent landscapes. The whole landscape of the southern Bali can be observed from this site. Jatiluwih is also listed as one world heritage site for the beauty of rice terrace landscape. It is really the true of Balinese way of life and its nature with thousand of hidden magnificient.