Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras Historical Site

Address: Ifugao province (multiple terrace sites), Cordillera Administrative Region, Philippines

Website: https://whc.unesco.org/

The Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras are a cultural landscape of irrigated rice terraces carved into the mountains of northern Luzon by indigenous Ifugao communities. The terraces demonstrate traditional engineering, water-management systems and a living agricultural practice sustained by local knowledge.

Large clusters of terraces are spread across several provinces, with prominent groups around Banaue, Mayoyao-Bangaan and Hungduan in Ifugao. The terraces are built on steep slopes and supported by stone walls and an intricate system of channels that divert mountain water to irrigate paddies at different elevations.

The terraces were developed and refined over many centuries by successive generations of Ifugao farmers as a response to mountainous terrain and a rice-based economy; they continue to be actively cultivated and maintained by local communities, which has preserved both the landscape and associated cultural practices.

The terraces sit in the Cordillera mountain range of northern Luzon, Philippines, with many of the most visited clusters accessible from the town of Banaue in Ifugao province and set among steep forested hills and river valleys.

• Living cultural landscape: The terraces were sculpted into mountains by indigenous Ifugao communities and remain an active, labour-intensive agricultural landscape producing wet-rice crops.
• Visiting advice: Terraces are best seen during dry-season harvest periods when field patterns and stone walls are most visible, and many sites are accessed from the town of Banaue in Ifugao province.

What to See#

• Banaue terraces: Banaue cluster - carved into steep Ifugao mountains and among the most visited terraces, noted for large stepped fields and village terraces.
• Mayoyao-Bangaan terraces: Mayoyao-Bangaan cluster - an extensive group of terraces noted for their stonework and irrigation channels, located in Ifugao province.
• Hungduan terraces: Hungduan cluster - terraces in the Hungduan area that form part of the overall Ifugao terrace system still managed by local communities.

The Rice Terraces are centred on Ifugao province (Banaue, Batad, etc.). The usual public route from Manila is by overnight/long‑distance bus to Banaue; a number of companies operate the Manila-Banaue run from terminals in Metro Manila (overnight journeys). From Banaue town local jeepneys/tricycles and vans run to terrace viewpoints; reaching more remote sites such as Batad requires a short jeepney ride to the trailhead followed by a 1-2 hour hike down into the valley.

If coming from northern Luzon (Baguio), buses and vans connect Baguio to Banaue as well; once in Banaue arrange local transport or guided hikes for the specific rice‑terrace villages.

• Plan to be at popular viewpoints (Banaue overlook, Batad saddle) at sunrise or stay overnight in Batad so you enjoy the terraces in soft light and avoid the bulk of day-trip crowds.
• Hire a local guide and be prepared to pay village tourism or conservation fees in Batad, Hapao and nearby communities-these fees are commonly required and directly support maintenance of the terraces and local services.
• Allow extra time for the footpaths into the more remote terrace clusters (Batad is reached by a steep trail from the saddle) rather than assuming vehicle access; many of the most striking views require a short hike.