Banaue Rice Terraces is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Philippines. In Tagalog it is better known as “Hagdang-hagdan Palayan”. Because of the beauty of Rice Terraces it was included in the 8th Wonder of the Modern World by the locals. According to the stories of our ancestors, the Rice terraces were carved on the mountains and hills of the ancestors of the Ifugao tribe who are over twenty years old. And it was made without using any machinery only hand carving its terraces. Its carved terraces provide level steps on the sloped ground that also allow people to grow and cultivate rice. In our day and age, people in ifugao continue to use Rice Terraces as one of their sources of livelihood.
The total area covered by Rice Terraces is 10,360 sq. km. and at 1,500 meters above sea level. And when every terrace of it has lined up end to end it will stretch half the world.
An old irrigation system on Rice terraces is said to be responsible for the flow of water throughout the region and for drawing water from the reinforcements above them. Using traditional farming methods until now this is what people who cultivate rice terraces do because it is never possible to carry heavy machinery in the mountains like Rice Terraces.
When you visit Banaue Rice Terraces, you will not only see the beautiful, enchanting and stunning scenery. It also has some great hiking spots that you can use to visit the overall beauty of Rice Terraces. You can also socialize and enjoy the tribal people who mostly live at the foot of the mountain. Most of the children living here are mostly college students so they are often become tour guide of the tourists who want to go to Rice Terraces.
But due to rising levels of pollution, deforestation and landslides in some selected areas of Rice Terraces it is sad to think that it will start to be destroyed. But despite this, Rice Terraces still has a list of selected places that can only be visited by tourists visiting the Philippines. These places are definitely something you can enjoy because of the silence, and beauty of the epic scenes here. Until now people think of how the Rice Terraces were carved by hand manually.
How to get there:
There are two modes of trip going to Banaue Rice Terraces. Here are the following.
1. From Manila, you can ride a comfortable air condition bus service going directly to Banaue.
The bus terminal is located along Aurora Boulevard, Cubao, Q.C., and Dimasalang St., Sampaloc, Manila.
2. If you want to go in Banaue by night, the bus service are available from terminals at España Blvd corner G. Tolentino Street, in Manila. The buses leave at 10pm and arrive at 7am on the next day.
3. There is also a direct flight from Baguio to Banaue.