The Banaue Rice Terraces: "Eight Wonder of the World"

In Luzon Province of northern Philippines, through mountains and rice terraces the road ends at a church, in a small town called Banaue. About 4,000 feet above sea-level in Banaue sits a small market in Ifugao Province located north from Manila- the Philippines' capital. What is most distinct about Banaue is its century old gigantic man-made structure rice terraces that were carved into mountains of Ifugao by ancestors of Batad indigenous people. The Rice Terraces are commonly referred to as the “Eight Wonder of the World”. Estimated 2,000 to 6,000 years old years the terraces were built with minimal equipment, largely by hand that no doubt, a tourist destination in the Philippines. The terraces are located approximately 1500 meters (5000 feet) above sea level and cover 10,360 square kilometers (about 4000 square miles) of mountainside.

To reach Banaue, one find it more easier to set from Manila rather than to Baguio, and many prefer the former as the gateway for trips to Bontoc and Sagada.

From Manila, the most convenient way is to take the 10pm bus from either Dangwa Bus or Auto Bus (During peak seasons or holy week, you have to at least reserve ticket on week or 3 days before trip whenever possible). Ticket will cost around PHP 290 (approx. 6 to 7 USD). Trips are usually daily. The trip will usually take you around 8 to 9 hours. The trip will pass by Neighboring Provinces of Nueva Vizcaya, Bayombong, Solano, Bambang. You will arrive around 5 to 6 am the next day.

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