What is subak, the system behind Bali's rice terraces, listed by UNESCO?

A cooperative water management system

Bali Quiz: Temples, Rice Terraces and Beaches of Indonesia

This Bali quiz explores Indonesia's most famous island, from the rice terraces of Tegallalang and Jatiluwih to Ubud's Sacred Monkey Forest, the sea temples of Tanah Lot and Uluwatu, Mount Agung, the Nyepi day of silence, ogoh-ogoh parades, canang sari offerings, the kecak dance and Balinese food. Ten questions.

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🎯 Daily Trivia Challenge • 🧠 10 Questions • ⏱️ 90 Seconds

Question 1 / 10 Time: 90s

Temples
Which Balinese temple sits on a rock in the sea and is famous for sunsets?
Holidays
What happens across Bali on Nyepi, the Balinese New Year?
Farming
What is subak, the system behind Bali's rice terraces, listed by UNESCO?
Volcanoes
What is the highest mountain in Bali, considered the home of the gods?
Dance
Which Balinese dance, often performed at sunset at Uluwatu, features a chorus of men chanting chak?
Monkeys
Which town in central Bali is known for its Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary and arts scene?
Offerings
What are the small palm-leaf baskets of flowers placed on Balinese doorsteps every day?
Films
Which 2010 film, starring Julia Roberts, made Ubud famous with travelers?
Coffee
Kopi luwak, sold in Bali, is coffee made from beans eaten and passed by which animal?
Religion
Unlike most of Indonesia, the majority of Bali's people follow which religion?

Explanations: answer key for all 10 questions

Q1: Which Balinese temple sits on a rock in the sea and is famous for sunsets?
Answer: Tanah Lot
At high tide, the rock becomes an island. Legend says sea snakes guard the temple from evil spirits and intruders.
Q2: What happens across Bali on Nyepi, the Balinese New Year?
Answer: A day of total silence
Lights, travel and work are forbidden, and even the airport closes for 24 hours. On the night before, giant ogoh-ogoh monsters are paraded and burned.
Q3: What is subak, the system behind Bali's rice terraces, listed by UNESCO?
Answer: A cooperative water management system
Subak channels water from temples and springs to the fields. It has been used since at least the 9th century.
Q4: What is the highest mountain in Bali, considered the home of the gods?
Answer: Mount Agung
Mount Agung rises over 3,000 meters and erupted in 1963 and 2017. Mount Rinjani is on the neighboring island of Lombok.
Q5: Which Balinese dance, often performed at sunset at Uluwatu, features a chorus of men chanting chak?
Answer: Kecak
The kecak tells a story from the Ramayana. Dozens of men sit in circles, chanting rhythmically instead of using instruments.
Q6: Which town in central Bali is known for its Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary and arts scene?
Answer: Ubud
More than 1,000 long-tailed macaques live in the forest among old temples. Visitors are told to hide sunglasses and snacks.
Q7: What are the small palm-leaf baskets of flowers placed on Balinese doorsteps every day?
Answer: Canang sari
Canang sari offerings hold flowers, rice and sometimes incense. Balinese Hindus offer them as thanks to the gods.
Q8: Which 2010 film, starring Julia Roberts, made Ubud famous with travelers?
Answer: Eat Pray Love
The film was based on Elizabeth Gilbert's memoir. Tourism to Ubud and its healers and yoga retreats rose afterward.
Q9: Kopi luwak, sold in Bali, is coffee made from beans eaten and passed by which animal?
Answer: The civet
Animal welfare groups warn that many civets are kept in cages for this coffee. Many visitors now avoid kopi luwak plantations.
Q10: Unlike most of Indonesia, the majority of Bali's people follow which religion?
Answer: Hinduism
Balinese Hinduism mixes Hindu beliefs with local traditions and ancestor worship. The island has thousands of temples.

Bali Quiz – Indonesia's Island of Temples and Rice Fields

Bali is the most famous island in Indonesia and one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. Located between Java and Lombok, it is known for its volcanoes, emerald rice terraces, beaches, coral reefs and a rich culture of dance, art and religion. Millions of visitors arrive every year, many of them surfers, yoga lovers and honeymooners.

Unlike the rest of Indonesia, most people in Bali follow Balinese Hinduism, a blend of Hindu beliefs and local traditions. The island has thousands of temples, from Besakih on the slopes of Mount Agung to Tanah Lot on a rock in the sea and Uluwatu on a cliff above the Indian Ocean. Every day, families place canang sari offerings at homes, shops and temples.

Bali's landscape is shaped by rice farming. The subak system, a cooperative way of sharing water, has created terraces such as Jatiluwih and Tegallalang. Mount Agung, the island's highest peak, is sacred, and Mount Batur is a popular sunrise hike. Lakes, waterfalls and hot springs are hidden in the highlands.

Culture is everywhere. Ubud is the island's center of arts, crafts, music and dance, with the Sacred Monkey Forest nearby. Kecak, legong and barong dances tell ancient stories. Nyepi, the day of silence, closes the whole island, while the night before brings parades of ogoh-ogoh monsters.

Bali's beaches range from busy Kuta to Seminyak, Canggu and quiet Amed. Balinese food includes babi guling, satay and nasi campur.

This quiz covers the temples, festivals, landscapes and culture of Bali.

What This Quiz Teaches

This quiz is perfect for travelers, surfers and culture lovers.

Bali's famous temples
Nyepi and Balinese festivals
The subak system and rice terraces
Mount Agung and Bali's volcanoes
Ubud, dance and daily offerings
Balinese religion and food

Quick Facts About Bali

Bali is one of more than 17,000 islands in Indonesia.
Denpasar is the capital of Bali province.
Balinese children are often named by birth order, such as Wayan, Made, Nyoman and Ketut.
Nusa Penida, off Bali's coast, is famous for its cliffs and manta rays.
The Lempuyang Temple gateway is a popular photo spot.
Bali's dry season usually runs from April to October.