Tourists are invited to participate in an incredible festival in Bali’s most famous rice fields

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Tourists in Bali are invited to attend the Jatiluwih Festival 2024 this weekend. The cultural festival will take place on July 6 and 7 at the world-famous Jatiluwih rice terraces in Tabanan regency.

The festival activities will be spread across the rice terraces and the tourism center from 9am to 10.30pm on Saturday and Sunday. The events will take place at the main stage, at the UNSECO monument, at the WWF building and also in the rice fields.

Festival organizers have confirmed that there will be art performances, agricultural attractions and competitions for all to enjoy. The Jatiluwih Rice Terraces will remain open for day visitors and day visitors will also be able to catch a glimpse of the festival activities.

Since the entrance to the festival is free, everyone is welcome to enjoy the event. Tourists only need to pay the normal entrance fee to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Jatiluwih Rice Terraces, which is IDR 50,000 for foreign adult tourists and IDR 40,000 for children. Domestic tourists pay IDR 15,000 and children pay IDR 5,000.

The Jatiluwih Rice Terraces are one of the most famous landscapes in all of Bali. Located in the Tabanan regency, they are visited by only a fraction of the tourists who visit the popular Tegallalang Rice Terraces, which are located just outside of Ubud.

Tourists can look forward to a gamelan and rindik performance, a fashion show, plenty of live music and a communal meditation and prayer session.

Speaking to the media, Jatiluwih’s tourism manager I Ketut Purna said that all plans for the festival are going smoothly. The festival will be attended by farmers, villagers and students from the surrounding communities. “We will make it (the event) two days long. It was shorter (this year) because we were busy preparing for the World Water Forum beforehand.”

He hopes to attract a large number of visitors from all tourism demographics. Purna said, “As we know, there are fewer domestic tourists, especially in Jatiluwih, than foreign tourists. Hopefully, this festival that we hold annually can become a tourist attraction.”

What makes the Jatiluwih Festival different from other cultural events is the fact that this large-scale festival does not provide a platform for Balinese and national bands.

All artists, creators and performers of the event are members of the Jatiluwih village community, allowing maximum exposure to local talent.

From kindergarten, elementary and middle school students and youth groups to the farmers from Jatiluwih – everyone on stage calls Jatiluwih their home.

Purna confirmed that tourist visits to Jatiluwih have increased by 70% in recent months.

In 2023, the average number of visits will reach 800 people per day, now it is 1,200 to 1,500 per day, mostly foreign tourists.

He added: “In fact, over 70% of tourists come, which is good at the moment. But with this festival we also want to attract local tourists.”

Purna and his teams are working hard to make the world-famous rice terraces the most accessible and attractive tourist attraction possible.

In June, Purna and the Jatiluwih Tourism Team introduced new electric shuttle buses at the tourist attraction to make the visit even more enjoyable for tourists.

While the electric shuttle buses are currently being used as part of a test operation, the hope is that if all goes well, the buses will become a permanent part of the attraction.

The shuttle buses can carry up to 14 people at a time and are available to everyone regardless of their mobility restrictions.

Jatiluwih Rice Terraces officials are working with the provincial government and UNESCO to better protect Bali’s rice terraces and subak system.

As more and more agricultural land across the island is closed to tourism and infrastructure development, there are fears that critical landscapes like Jatiluwih and other rice terraces need more protection than ever.