It’s not a secret that the most visited attraction in Banaue are the world-renowned rice terraces that have been inscribed into the UNESCO World Heritage list. However, more than the terraces, there are also other things that Banaue has to offer.
Why Visit Banaue?
- Banaue Rice Terraces – A UNESCO World Heritage Site, these rice terraces were created by the Ifugao thousands of years ago. To this day, rice and vegetables are still planted on the steps.
- Batad Rice Terraces – This is not to be confused with the Banaue Rice Terraces, which is located close to the Viewpoint. Batad is a barangay located in Banaue and its rice terraces have an ampitheater-like quality to them. Of course, when you’re in Batad, don’t forget to hike to Tappiya Falls. The trail might be treacherous, but it’s well worth it.
- Bangaan Rice Terraces and Village – Hiking is a great activity to do here. The village is what makes the place unique as it is located at the foot of the terraces. So, it requires a hike down to get there.
- Museum of Cordilleran Sculpture – Founded by George and Candida Schenk, this museum attempts to preserve a culture that is slowly dying. Here, you will see over a thousand pieces ranging from large-scale figures to small objects.
- Viewpoint – Observe the Banaue Rice Terraces from here. The higher you go, the better the view will be.
How to Get to Banaue?
By bus
- From Manila – Ride a bus headed for Banaue. GV Florida Transport is a bus line that has daily trips leaving at night. The trip lasts for 7-8 hours.
- From Baguio – KMS Bus Lines and Ohayami Trans leave for Banaue twice a day.
Alternatively, you can take any bus that is headed for Cagayan Valley then get off at Solano, Nueva Vizcaya. From there, you can ride a jeepney to get to Banaue.
How to Enjoy Banaue?
- Prepare yourself for lots of walking. Banaue is meant for those who love a little of the outdoors. Most of the sites to be seen have a lot to do with walking and hiking. So, you need to prepare yourself for that.
- Bring the right clothing. Banaue is much more cooler than other parts of the Philippines. So, make sure you bring along clothes that wouldn’t have you shivering from the cold.
- Brace yourself for long travel and bumpy roads. Traveling to different parts of Banaue will take long. Sometimes due to delays and most often due to the distance that needs to be covered. That and the roads aren’t in pristine condition might lengthen your travel time. So, if you’ve got a set schedule, you must be willing to be flexible with it.
- Visit nearby attractions. Banaue is the jump-off point for many other attractions located in Ifugao and Mountain Province. Other than the rice terraces mention above, there are more you can see, including Hungduan Rice Terraces, Hapao Rice Terraces and Mayoyao Rice Terraces. All of these are part of the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Another nearby attraction is Sagada in Mountain Province. Caves, even more rice terraces and the hanging coffins are some of the best attractions in these area.
Banaue seems to be made for the outdoor lover, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy it too if it’s not your passion. Just prepare your mind to do things that your body is not accustomed to and you will surely love the experience seeing the marvels of nature.