Banaue Rice Terraces
Dubbed as the eighth wonder of the world, Banaue Rice Terraces continues to amaze people with its extraordinary artistry by the Ifugao tribe.
HAGDAN-HAGDANG PALAYAN. This chiseled natural attraction is a sight to see when going to the province of Ifugao. (Photo courtesy of Banaueterraces.com)
The Banaue Rice Terraces are mud-walled rice terraces that were carefully constructed from 2,000 years ago. Spread in the provinces of Kalinga, Benguet, Apayao, Ifugao, and Mountain Province, these terraces are believed that if put end to end, it can encircle half the globe.
Although known for its appealing beauty, the Banaue Rice Terraces were made to hold flood for rice cultivation. Locals still plant rice and vegetable on the terraces for farming, however, younger Ifugaos are leaning towards the tourism industry of their place.
A closer view of the rice terrace (Photo courtesy of Banaueterraces.com)
To go and see the breathtaking view of the Banaue Rice terraces, you can travel by bus with daily trips from Manila to Banaue. It usually takes a 9-hour trip to get there, but the long hours will be worth it. The best time to go there would be during February to March for the cleaning and planting time, and June to July for harvesting time. When it comes to accommodation, there are several lodgings and hotels around the area.
To get a better view, Sunrise Viewpoint is a well-known place for photographers as it is the best spot to look at the scenery and also, buy souvenirs such as wood carvings.
Dancing Bululs from the Museum of Cordillera Sculpture (Photo courtesy of Cordilleran Museum)
Activities such as hiking and trekking are also popular among tourists which take only 45 minutes up to two hours. Some trek may need the help of a guide, while others are easy trails you can go along. You can also go to the Museum of Cordillera Sculpture with an admission fee of P100 to see a collection of Ifugao woodcarvings.
If one of your goals this year is to see as many astounding places as you can, Banaue Rice Terraces should be your next stop and you’ll see why it’s more fun in the Philippines.
