Photos

Fish-eye view of Hiwang Valley, said to be the origin of the Banaue rice terraces culture. The Ifugao built rice terraces here more than 2000 years ago. These terraces are faced with rough cut stones set in walls reaching to 10 meters or more. It is said that if the terraces were stretched end to end they would reach more than half way around the globe, making them by far the largest of the great wonders of the world, dwarfing the Great Wall of China. Yet they were built using only primitive wood and stone tools and water.

The fields here are yellow, ready to harvest. Two varieties of rice are grown in Banaue. This is the aromatic red rice, rare and highly prized. It typically fetches prices more than twice that of ordinary rice. It is harvested by hand, stalk by stalk, and the seeds are pounded free in a large mortar and pestle. Villagers then carry the sacks, often for miles over steep mountain trails, where they can be picked up by jeepney for market.

This valley is also famous as the last refuge of General Yamashita at the end of World War II. He was arrested here and later was executed for his war crimes.

Elevation here is about 4000 feet. The mountain trails are steep and rocky, but reward the experienced hiker with fantastic mountain views and waterfalls, precipitous canyons and visits with an ancient people who still cling to their traditional way of life. Lodging is sometimes primitive, to say the least, but it is worth it. Best time to visit is April and May, just before the rainy season begins.