Did you know? · Bali
Bali fun facts
Things you might not know about Bali. Every fact comes from an official or primary source, named alongside it.
Updated October 2026
A rice landscape on the World Heritage list
UNESCO describes the cultural landscape of Bali as five rice terraces and their water temples covering 19,500 hectares, with the subak, a cooperative system of canals and weirs, dating back to the 9th century.
About 1,200 water collectives
In total Bali has about 1,200 water collectives, and between 50 and 400 farmers manage the water from a single source, according to UNESCO. The system reflects the philosophy of Tri Hita Karana, which brings together the realms of the spirit, the human world and nature.
The origin of every spring
UNESCO describes the crater lake of Batur as regarded as the ultimate origin of every spring and river on the island, with the Supreme Water Temple of Pura Ulun Danu Batur on its edge.
A different calendar
Nyepi marks the Balinese New Year in the Saka calendar: on Monday 8 March 2027, the year 1949 begins (Indonesia’s 2027 national holidays decree).
Questions and answers
Why are Bali’s rice terraces on the UNESCO list?
For the subak, the cooperative water-management system of canals, weirs and water temples that has shaped the landscape for a thousand years, in UNESCO’s words.