April 4, 2020 Banaue Rice Terraces

5 Surprising Things Travelers Don't Know About Banaue Rice Terraces

Being one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites comes as no surprise anymore to anyone who knows about the Banaue Rice Terraces. 

The rice terraces are an outstanding example of land-use that resulted from a harmonious interaction between people and nature which has produced an ancient cultural landscape of great aesthetic beauty. The verdant rice terraces of the Philippines are all the product of the Ifugao ethnic group, a minority community that has occupied these mountains for thousands of years.



If you're planning to travel here, you should know first these five surprising facts about the Banaue Rice Terraces so you can have a meaningful trip. 

1. The rice planted here are for family consumption


This is one of the most surprising things I learned about the Banaue Rice Terraces. Our local tour guide told us that the rice harvested here are for pure family consumption. The harvested rice are enough to feed the family for six months. Given the enormous land of rice terraces, it's hard for me to believe that they don't sell the rice in the market. They don't even export to Metro Manila. But when you go to souvenir shops, you'd see Banaue rice sold everywhere so how come? Our tour guide said, it happens only when there is an excess for family consumption.

2. Rice here is more expensive than in Manila


Most often than not, prices of goods and commodities in the province are cheaper than in the metro. But in Banaue, rice is more expensive. It amounts to P120 per kilo compared to Manila's cheapest rice that's P30 per kilo. The explanation behind it is that, rice in Banaue is organic. 

3. There are two kinds of rice terraces in Banaue


The structures of the Banaue Rice Terraces are of only two kinds: the stone wall and mud wall. They used it to carefully carve and construct terraces that could hold flooded pond fields for the cultivation of rice. These incredible rice terraces were done by hand as was (and is) the farming itself.

4. There are also two kinds of rice that are harvested in Banaue


The Banaue rice is so famous because of its organic quality. The two types of rice harvested here are sticky and non-sticky rice, all organic. 

5. There are 5 inscribed clusters of rice terraces in Ifugao


While the historic terraces cover an extensive area, the inscribed property consists of five clusters of the most impressive terraces: 1.) the Nagacadan terrace cluster in Kiangan, a rice terrace cluster manifested in two distinct ascending rows of terraces bisected by a river; 2.) the Hungduan terraces that uniquely emerges into a spider web; 3.) the central Mayoyao terraces which is characterized by terraces scattered with traditional farmers’ bale (houses) and alang (granaries); 4.) the Bangaan terrace cluster in the municipality of Banaue that backdrops a typical Ifugao traditional village; and 5.) the Batad rice terraces in Banaue that is nestled in amphitheater-like semi-circular terraces with a village at its base.

43 comments

  1. Wow that is so informative and the place looks so pretty! I wish to see one day rice fields :)

    https://villemo20.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thank you! Make sure to include Banaue Rice Terraces in your bucket list :)

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  2. Beautiful place!

    Have a great weekend!
    Victoria

    https://fashionstylebeautyandmore.blogspot.com/

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    1. Absolutely! That's why it's no surprise at all that Banaue Rice Terraces is declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. :)

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  3. This was such an interesting read! I always thought the area looked so beautiful. So it was nice to learn more about the actual land and how it is used.
    the creation of beauty is art.

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  4. Beautiful mountain view and rice field. Rice is our staple food.

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    1. Banaue Rice Terraces is definitely something! :)

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  5. This was such an interesting read! Beautiful photos :)
    I follow u, Im waiting for u! xo
    https://byy-aleksandra.blogspot.com/

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  6. I like rice;)
    ps. Nice photos:)

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  7. lovely photos and that's a great information about the rice terrace
    xoxo
    style frontier

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  8. Great photos :-D

    I am following you now :-D

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  9. I loved these views...just so green and beautiful. And it was informative, too. How I would love to see all this for myself.

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    1. Thank you! You should include Banaue Rice Terraces in your bucket list and share these cool facts :)

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  10. Very interesting!
    I enjoyed reading the information.

    Dany
    Dany's Breshopping Blog

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  11. I love rice and this terrace is wonderful!

    I follow you! #788
    Wishing you follow me back :)

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  12. Cielo - thanks for your recent visit to my blog and your kind comments. I don't use FaceBook or Instagram but I visit other blogs regularly, so I will try to visit yours. The rice fields are so picturesque, and it is wonderful to know that these families have worked them for generations, in partnership with the earth. It is a place I would like to visit one day. Enjoy your week ahead!

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    1. Yes visiting the Rice Terraces of Philippine Cordilleras is totally worth it and knowing these facts are really interesting :)

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  13. very curious! I used to have very vague impression about how they grow my favorite rice

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  14. What an awesome place!!!
    HAPPY WEEK AT HOME
    xoxo
    http://stylishpatterns.blogspot.com

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    1. Banaue Rice Terraces is really beautiful :)

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  15. They're definitely breathtaking! :)

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  16. Me, too! That's why I was so happy when I found out these surprising facts about Banaue Rice Terraces! :)

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  17. Hi, Cielo!
    I like your blog and following #791.:)
    If you want to follow me, I will wait for my blog.♥
    xoxo
    http://www.morduslerkitapligi.com/

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  18. Very interesting post
    Thanks for your sharing
    xoxo ♥

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  19. Wonderful photos and interesting post dear!

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  20. A great review indeed, thanks for sharing!

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  21. Love the place its very interesting ☺️
    So beautiful �� hope can live here!

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