Indonesia
Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania, between the Indian and Pacific oceans. Comprising over 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, and parts of Borneo and New Guinea, Indonesia is the world's largest archipelagic state and the 14th-largest country by area, at 1,904,569 square kilometres (735,358 square miles). Indonesia has significant areas of wilderness that support one of the world's highest levels of biodiversity. It shares land borders with Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Malaysia, as well as maritime borders with seven other countries, including Australia, Singapore, and the Philippines.
Indonesia's must-visit cities
Top Attractions in Indonesia
Must-visit places and experiences across Indonesia
Tegallalang Rice Terraces & Ubud
Tegallalang Rice Terraces are 600-year-old, steeply stepped rice paddies located about 9 km north of Ubud, making them one of the most iconic landscapes in Bali tourism. These terraces are built using the traditional Balinese “subak” irrigation system, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage practice in 2012 and often highlighted in any Bali travel guide. The terraces cascade down a narrow valley with a small river at the base, creating one of the most photographed scenes in Bali sightseeing. Visitors can walk through the paddies on a one-hour loop trail, while the upper rim is lined with cafes and swing operators, making it one of the most engaging things to do in Bali. Tegallalang is the most accessible of the island’s rice-terrace landscapes, while Jatiluwih Rice Terraces in central Bali offers a larger and more expansive UNESCO-listed setting for those exploring further places to visit in Bali. This experience is best combined with half-day in Ubud, including stops at Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Ubud Palace, and Saraswati Temple, making it a well-rounded Bali trip focused on culture, nature, and sightseeing.
Tanah Lot Temple
Tanah Lot Temple is a 16th-century Hindu sea temple built on a small offshore rock formation along Bali’s southwestern coast, making it one of the most iconic landmarks in Bali tourism. At high tide, the temple is cut off from the mainland and appears to float above the sea, while at low tide visitors can walk across, adding to its appeal. It is one of the seven “Pura Sad Kahyangan” temples believed to protect the island and is dedicated to Dewa Baruna, the sea god. The site also features a freshwater spring at the base of the rock, considered holy and drinkable, along with a cave that houses a sea snake believed to guard the temple. These elements make it one of the most fascinating places to visit in Bali for both cultural and spiritual insight. Tanah Lot is especially famous for sunset views, when it is photographed from the nearby cliff-top viewpoint. The temple silhouetted against the setting sun and crashing waves creates one of the most recognizable scenes in Bali sightseeing and is a must-experience moment during any Bali trip.
