The Banaue Rice Terraces in the Philippines | Traveler by Unique

The rice terraces in the Philippines are mainly a system of parallel mountain ranges with intervening plateaux’s and they are perceived as an exceptional example of an advanced and living landscape with multiple cultural features. The development of this particular landscape traces its origins back in the pre-colonial era of the Philippines, almost two millennia ago. The broader region that hosts these impressive rice terraces is known as the Philippine Cordillera and can be found on a mountain on the island of Luzon.

The landscape covers an enormous area but, there are five of them which are characterized as the most important and the most impressive ones. These are the Batad rice terraces, the Bangaan terraces in Banaue, the Mayayao and Hungduan rice terraces, as well as the Negacadan rice terraces in Kiangan. All of the above mentioned can be found in the broader area of the Ifugao province and they are of great importance as they were carved by the Ifugao ethnic minority that used to be living on those mountains for over 2000 years. The most famous among the five are definitely the ones that can be found in Banaue. This is because this site is often perceived as the 8th wonder of the world.

Banaue’s sustainability and harmony

In 1995, the Cordilleras region was officially listed as one of the UNESCO’s sites of cultural heritage. The importance that Banaue Rice Terraces are expressing can be found on the fact that the area is an actual representation of a 2000 years old history. The rice terraces illustrate a unique and notable ancient lifestyle that was harmoniously paired with the preservation of the natural setting. The ethnic minority of Ifugaos achieved to promote sustainability at a great extend as they were cultivating rice without destroying the landscape. This exceptional agricultural method was then transferred from generation to generation enabling environmental preservation. Nowadays, the region attracts not only visitors who wish to admire the landscape but also nature lovers and professionals who wish to experience from first-hand how sustainable living is achieved.

Getting there

The infamous Banaue Rice Terraces can be found in the provincial area of Luzon which is approximately 370Km north from the capital city of Manilla. Travelers who are interested in visiting this majestic location from Manilla can travel there either by bus or by chartering a private transportation service for a more comfortable and pleasurable experience. In what regards buses, two main companies offer a frequent schedule with comfortable seating and buses with modern features.

Visit Batad

Those who wish to explore the broader area of Banaue shall include in their schedule a visit at the small and charming village of Badat. The village’s shape is amphitheatric allowing some of the most iconic and breath-taking views over Banaue’s rice terraces. The area has also multiple hiking trails leading to the beautiful Tappiyah Falls for those wishing to proceed with some extra activities in exploring the area. Due to the unspoiled character of the village and of the area in general, visitors often found themselves lost into a journey in time, where the everyday life of the people has no modern features. Visiting Batad and Banaue rice terraces will definitely be a once in a lifetime experience like no other.

Interesting facts about Banaue

Except for the area’s significant importance as an agricultural and historical site, Banaue has numerous interesting facts that visitors should be aware about. The Banaue rice terraces can be found at an altitude of 1500 meters above the sea level and cover a total area of 10360 square kilometers. In addition, the rice plantations that the terraces have, receive water from the rainforests just above them. The abovementioned statements often lead professionals and scientists to claim that the rice terraces of Banaue are among the most notable engineering accomplishments of the ancient world.

The rice terraces were constructed, as mentioned earlier, from the ethnic minority of Ifugao that used to live in the area. Nowadays, the people that belong in this minority are still living in the area and continue to cultivate the land and the rice terraces. However, a great percentage of them are not interested in agriculture anymore as they now focus on the tourists that visit their impressive terraces. As a result, as many of them are not interested anymore in continuing the traditional farming, scientists understood changes in the soil’s composition. More precisely, the soil started to erode and in order to preserve these historical terraces, some of them must be redone. The ethnic minority of Ifugao are characterized as welcoming and warm people. In fact, they like to have fun and they organize the festival of tunggul. This festival is a great opportunity for both, the members of the ethnic minority and the visitors to interact by drinking rice beers and eating rice cakes. Joining this festival would be a memorable experience as it forms the perfect chance to understand more about these people and their culture.