Banaue: Eighth Wonder of the World
Lisa Mills
November 20, 2009
To the local people, Banaue is a place of true bliss and peace. This place to them is the eighth wonder of the world, and people who come to see this beautiful destination are stunned by the gorgeous green fields of rice cut right through rock and stones.
Located at a distance of roughly 250 kilometers north of Manila, the capital city of Philippines, Banaue can simply take your breath away. If you are looking for an experience which you have never seen previously, then you should take a day off to see and believe how the mountains of Ifugao were carved through and cleared with painstaking precision to create what can be called, a "stairway to heaven". By cutting through and making a stair-like formation on which crops are grown, this area is a treat for sightseers who can get a breathtaking view of the rice terrace for which Banaue is famous. The fields are irrigated by mountain streams and springs which are skillfully maneuvered towards the fields. This is part of a World Heritage Site, as acclaimed by UNESCO and is a part of the Rice Terraces of Philippines Cordilleras, where these have been in existence for more than 6000 years. The ownership is hereditary, and people have tilled the land for generations, making their means with the farmed land.
You can reach this place from Manila via public bus or cars. It is pretty reasonable, and the roads are quite well-maintained, so it would be no hardship for you to travel in one.
If you are a bit of an adventurer and wondering what Banaue has in offer, then you should head down to Batad, Bangaan or Sagada for a more close-in view of the rice terrace and marvel at the beauty. Batad is roughly a 14-16 kilometers ride. Several hotels are present, offering rooms with bathrooms for quite reasonable price. Generally you can do a lot of sightseeing, or maybe take a little tour to the market where you can get several local specialties.
One of the things you can definitely buy would be a hand-woven blanket, which would be a wonderful souvenir to take back. You can also go for a visit to the witch doctor, or Mumbaki, who can cure your ailments and heal you in a totally natural way. So, if you want to experience such amazing feats, you should definitely come to Banaue.
Located at a distance of roughly 250 kilometers north of Manila, the capital city of Philippines, Banaue can simply take your breath away. If you are looking for an experience which you have never seen previously, then you should take a day off to see and believe how the mountains of Ifugao were carved through and cleared with painstaking precision to create what can be called, a "stairway to heaven". By cutting through and making a stair-like formation on which crops are grown, this area is a treat for sightseers who can get a breathtaking view of the rice terrace for which Banaue is famous. The fields are irrigated by mountain streams and springs which are skillfully maneuvered towards the fields. This is part of a World Heritage Site, as acclaimed by UNESCO and is a part of the Rice Terraces of Philippines Cordilleras, where these have been in existence for more than 6000 years. The ownership is hereditary, and people have tilled the land for generations, making their means with the farmed land.
You can reach this place from Manila via public bus or cars. It is pretty reasonable, and the roads are quite well-maintained, so it would be no hardship for you to travel in one.
If you are a bit of an adventurer and wondering what Banaue has in offer, then you should head down to Batad, Bangaan or Sagada for a more close-in view of the rice terrace and marvel at the beauty. Batad is roughly a 14-16 kilometers ride. Several hotels are present, offering rooms with bathrooms for quite reasonable price. Generally you can do a lot of sightseeing, or maybe take a little tour to the market where you can get several local specialties.
One of the things you can definitely buy would be a hand-woven blanket, which would be a wonderful souvenir to take back. You can also go for a visit to the witch doctor, or Mumbaki, who can cure your ailments and heal you in a totally natural way. So, if you want to experience such amazing feats, you should definitely come to Banaue.
Author writes for Club Paradise Palawan, Banaue and Batad.
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