Manila Travel Guide

Banaue

This fascinating region in northern Luzon is known for being largely untouched by Western civilisation, and gives a glimpse of the true Philippines. In a string of villages around Banaue people live according to age-old tribal traditions. The main attraction in the area is the Banaue Rice Terraces, a UNESCO World Heritage site dubbed the 'eighth wonder of the world' by locals. Constructed about 3,000 years ago, the terraces start from the base of the Cordillero Mountains and extend upwards for thousands of feet, cleverly irrigated by channelled streams and springs. The terraces bear testimony to the ingenuity of the ancient Ifugao people. There are more terraces at Batad village, which also sports a waterfall and natural swimming pool, and at Sagada there are a series of ancient burial caves in the mountainside with the famous 'hanging coffins' perched on limestone outcrops.