Jalan Goa Lempeh, Banjar Dinas Kangin Uluwatu, Bali +62 361 3001000 or +62 361 8471000
Bali's agricultural landscape is one of the most enchanting forms of expression of local culture. A true manifestation of the spirit of the place, the terraces for rice cultivation express all the vitality of the relationship between men and the environment over the centuries. The terraces and their five aquatic temples cover approximately 20 thousand hectares. Dominating the landscape is the 18th-century Taman Ayun Temple, the largest and most impressive architectural building of its kind on the island. The temples are the heart of a network of canals and locks, known as subak, which dates back to the 9th century. The subak reflects the philosophical concept of Tri Hita Karana, which brings together the realms of spirit, the human world and nature. It is a philosophy born from the cultural exchange between Bali and India, which has shaped the landscape of Bali. Water management for rice cultivation is based on a time-tested cooperative system. These are democratic and egalitarian agricultural practices that have allowed the Balinese to become the most prolific rice farmers in the archipelago, despite the challenge of supporting a densely populated area.