Stairway to heaven! World Heritage Site “Philippine Cordillera Rice Terraces”

What kind of scenery comes to mind when you hear the word "rice terraces"? Those who live in cities may not be able to easily picture it. Rice terraces are rice paddies that utilize slopes for rice cultivation. In the Philippines, there are rice terraces called the "Stairway to Heaven," located in the Philippine Cordilleras. A World Heritage Site, the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras have been maintained for over 2,000 years by the Ifugao people, an ethnic minority living in the mountainous regions of the Philippines. This article introduces the charm and highlights of the World Heritage "Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras"! Be sure to use this as a reference for your trip to the Philippines.

What are the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras?

The Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras are rice terraces located in the Cordillera mountain range in the northern part of Luzon Island in the Philippines. "Cordillera" is the Spanish word for "mountain range". As the name suggests, the rice terraces are located in the mountains. The total length of the terraces exceeds 20,000 kilometers, making them the largest rice terraces in the world.

The Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras, said to have been built by the Ifugao people, a mountain people living in Luzon, Philippines, were registered as a World Heritage Site in 1995. Today, they are a popular tourist spot visited by people from all over the world. In recent years, there have been concerns about the deterioration of the landscape due to a shortage of terrace managers, and the site was once registered as a World Heritage in Danger. However, with support from both inside and outside the Philippines, it has now been removed from the list of World Heritage in Danger.

Accessing the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras

Recommended points of the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras

Batad Rice Terraces

The Batad Rice Terraces are the largest rice terraces in the Philippine Cordilleras. You can see rice terraces on the way to Batad Village, but the sight of the Batad Rice Terraces is truly exceptional. Many visitors are impressed by the beauty of the rice terraces, which is even more stunning than the pictures in guidebooks!

In the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras, the Ifugao people, an ethnic minority, still live today. In Batad Village, you can get a glimpse of their actual life. It is truly inspiring to actually go here, meet the local people, walk the land with your own feet, feel the wind of the land, and see things that you cannot see on the internet or in guidebooks. You will be able to reaffirm that World Heritage Sites are not only natural wonders but also valuable common assets that teach us the history of humankind!

Tappiyah Falls

About an hour and a half walk from the rice terraces is a waterfall called Tappiyah Falls. To get to Tappiyah Falls, you have to walk along a path that can be confusing for beginners and an unpaved, rugged road, so many people book a tour and walk with a tour guide. You can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Cordillera Rice Terraces, a World Heritage Site, on your way to Tappiyah Falls!

One of the attractions of Tappiyah Falls is that you can actually get in the water and swim! It's a great way to cool down after an hour and a half walk! If you visit the rice terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras, be sure to walk to Tappiyah Falls. It's a rare experience to be able to enter such a magnificent waterfall.

Things to Keep in Mind at the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras

When sightseeing in the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras, you will be walking on unpaved, unstable mountain paths and steep roads. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and clothes for sightseeing. Depending on the tour you participate in, it is recommended that those who participate in the tour go with the intention of trekking on mountain roads rather than just strolling around tourist spots. It is a good idea to have a backpack or other bag that you can carry on your back so that you can use both hands even on rough roads.

Summary

What did you think? I have introduced the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras. It is surprising that such a beautiful sight was created by human hands, isn't it? Be sure to burn the "Stairway to Heaven" into your eyes. Please visit the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras, a World Heritage Site that will give you new insights, gratitude for life and the earth, and even joy that you cannot get in your everyday life.

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Stairway to heaven! World Heritage Site “Philippine Cordillera Rice Terraces”