Sometimes called the "Eighth Wonder of the World", The Banaue Rice Terraces are 2000-year old terraces that were carved into the mountains of Ifugao in the Philippines by ancestors of the Batad indigenous people. It is commonly thought that the terraces were built with minimal equipment, largely by hand. The terraces are located approximately 1500 meters (5000 feet) above sea level and cover 10,360 square kilometers (about 4000 square miles) of mountainside. They are fed by an ancient irrigation system from the rainforests above the terraces.
The Banaue terraces are part of the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras, ancient sprawling man-made structures from 2,000 to 6,000 years old. They are found in the provinces of Apayao, Benguet, Mountain Province and Ifugao, and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Locals to this day still tend to the rice and vegetables on the terraces, although more and more younger Ifugaos do not find farming appealing, often opting for the more lucrative hospitality industry generated by the Rice Terraces. The result is the gradual erosion of the characteristic "steps", which need constant reconstruction and care.
I took this shot quickly, as we where looking for some lunch. heheh, we spent the day walking all around the area, amazing landscape! No place on earth like the Philippines.
Critiques | Translate
tico_tic (395) 2007-03-27 10:07
nie note there pal, i like your shot. full with details and lovely green colors. something seldom seen in Sabah although we are close neighbouring countries. keep posting with good notes pal, TFS
atlantida (2323) 2007-03-27 11:08
Great place and u've captured it well...it really looks like a wonder, all the photos that I've seen from the Philippines here, show beautiful places and great nature.
erdna (5711) 2007-03-27 12:03
Hello Thomas! It is nice to see you post this ancient wonder. It has been ages since I have been here, 1973. Your photo makes me want to go back so I could take pictures like this. Thank you for sharing this. It is well done.
Thank you for your comments on my photo, "Chaotic Divisoria". I appreciate it.
adores (45329) 2007-03-28 4:06
I really like this, the pov, the colours. It seems really an amazing place. Keep posting!
mphotographies (1976) 2007-03-28 5:04
Hope you had lunch in time, rice toppings perhaps ;)
A refreshing green sight, perhaps getting a much wider shot can bring out the greatness of the rice terraces. Though keeps me still in wonder how this was made!
voyagenation (1180) 2007-03-28 14:35
Hi Thomas, here is a warm welcome to trek earth the the philippines. I am glad you like our country. i always love the rice terraces and enjoy shooting the mountain scenes.
I woul like to know your camera and maybe be able to help you with your shoots. if there is a place i would recommend you visit it would be Kadaclan, Mountain Province. if you like more details, private e-mail me here. the resolution is pixelating perhaps at your re-sizing for TE. how was your workflow?
richwm (1215) 2007-04-05 12:10
I'd love to see the Banaue Rice Terraces one day, I have heard that they are incredible. I like your photo, I think that the green rice stems are perhaps the greenest green I have ever seen!!! The terraces look amazing. Good composition using the dependable rule of thirds. Good sharpness and detail. Well done and best regards from England.
Greg1949 (9011) 2007-04-14 7:57
Nice shot Thomas, beautiful. I saw only a small part arounf Angeles and Bagio but it is colorful and friendly.
pablominto (53746) 2007-04-17 4:06
The green of the fresh rice is a most attractive colour!
Rice terraces is a good subject for photography, both colour wise but also the lines are attractive...
This is a fine capture, showing the structure of the terraces well!
ngythanh (8572) 2007-04-28 10:34
Now I knew whom I need to be in touch with, if one day I could make my dream trip to the Philippines to witness the beauty of Banaue terraces.
Tom: Someone told me if I land Clark Airport (for cheaper ticket with Tiger Airways), that will be very inconvenient to reach Banaue terraces. Please give me some advice. Thanks.
Benedict (7076) 2007-05-21 1:20
one of the nicest fotos of this famed philippine icon i have seen. the greeneries are detailed superbly. maganda!
rdiaz80 (319) 2008-02-11 1:54
Was there extra sharpness applied? this is a pretty good angle. I have heard stories of how exciting the jeepney ride is to this place! I hope to visit and take photos of this place some day.
seafetish (104) 2009-03-21 7:57
thanks for your comment. is this from batad? :) i took mine there at around 9 am. best time to hike there is around march - june.
i like the detail of the 'cavites' or the stoned stairways found only in terraces in batad and sagada. contrast is wonderful
thanks for sharing this :)
cunejo200 (7281) 2009-05-19 4:53
This is superb Thomas. The greens are soothing, you captured Banaue's rice terraces beautifully. regards.