The Banaue Rice Terraces are 2000-year old terraces that are carved into the mountains of Ifugao in the Philippines by ancestors of the indigenous people. Considered as the eighth wonder of the world, the Banaue Rice Terraces are one of the Philippines most admired and most visited tourist attractions. This panoramic beauty was built by the Ifugao tribes with only primitive tools such as stones and woods. The Banaue Rice Terraces are evidence about how intelligent and great the engineering skills of native Filipinos were. In 1995, The Banaue Rice Terraces are declared as a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO.

The Banaue Rice Terraces is part of the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras, and are spread in the provinces of Kalinga, Apayao, Benguet, Mountain Province and Ifugao. Located 5000 feet above the sea level, the Banaue Rice terraces cover 10,360 square kilometers of mountainside. Locals still plant rice and vegetables on the terraces, which results with gradual erosion of the characteristic “steps”. Terraces need constant reconstruction and care.

Beside the rice cultivation, another important economy of the Banaue Rice Terraces is tourism. Visitors are able to take a number of activities, including traditional sight seeing of the terraces and visits to the tribes at the foot of the terraces. The best time to visit Banaue is June-August when the rice starts to grow and the view from the highest point is magnificent. Another recommended must see thing is a “Mumbaki” (traditional Ifugao witch doctors).

Even though it is about 8 or 9 hours from Manila in a car, the Banaue rice terraces are known to be one of the most spectacular places to see in the Philippines. Pack your bags and don’t worry about accommodation. There are a lot of hotels in the town center.