Why the
Banaue Rice Terraces
are special

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While other Asian countries also have photogenic rice terraces, I have never seen one that matches the sheer scale and grandeur of of the Banaue Rice Terraces.

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Best time to visit
the Banaue Rice Terraces

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Winter to early spring

This is ideal sightseeing period. During the rainy season (summer and fall), low lying clouds can disappointingly mask the slopes. And landslides (especially in July and August) occasionally block roads.

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Banaue Rice Terraces
size and history

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Size

The mountainous rice terraces of Banaue and vicinity in the Philippines are mankind's grandest scaled engineering feat. The vertical distance between bottom and top rows exceeds the height of the world's tallest building. If the terraces were laid end to end, they would stretch more than half way around the world.

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History

The Banaue Rice Terraces were carved over a 2,000 year span with primitive handtools by the ancestors of the current farmers, the Ifugao tribesmen.

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Eroding rice terraces

They are facing erosion because of a decline in upkeep. A big reason is some of the young tribespeople are abandoning their family lands to find less arduous jobs elsewhere.

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Learn more Banaue Rice Terraces tips ...

    

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Top 7 Philippine Wonders

Philippine wonder map
Philippine wonder photo gallery

Banaue Rice Terraces
Chocolate Hills
Mayon Volcano
Pamalican Island
Taal Volcano
Tubbataha Reef
Underground River
Honorable mentions

Batad & Bangaan terraces
Banaue Rice Terraces photo gallery
Banaue Festival photo gallery
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