The Banaue Rice Terraces that you will see at the Banaue View Point is the MOST FAMOUS of all the Banaue Rice Terraces. It's the most famous because it's the most accessible. The rice terraces at Barangay Viewpoint is nearest the town or poblacion of the municipality of Banaue. People also see its photo in Philippine peso bills.
When the the Banaue Rice Terraces is advertised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a photo of the the rice terraces near the poblacion, at Barangay View Point, is often attached to the advertisement. This is why there is some confusion as to whether the rice terraces near the poblacion is the World Heritage Site declared by UNESCO. IT IS NOT.
There are 2 rice terraces in the municipality of Banaue declared by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site:
(1) the rice terraces in Barangay Batad, and
- How to go to Batad: see my post: My Trek to the Batad Rice Terraces with Kids
(2) the rice terraces in Barangay Bangaan.
The rice terraces at Barangay View Point is not the rice terraces declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
The other World Heritage Site rice terraces are in the municipality of Mayoyao, Kiangan and Hungduan. (see my post on Philippine World Heritage Sites)This is not to say that the Banaue Rice Terraces located at Barangay View Point is not magnificent. It is. It is a sight to behold and worth the 6-9 hour trip from Manila.
I'm making this post because it's not as easy as it seems to find the Banaue Rice terraces viewpoint, especially if you are particular about seeing it from a particular angle. It's along the road and so easy to pass by and miss the signs. So to guide you, I am posting photos of how it will look from the street as you pass by.
Map courtesy of banaue.gov.ph |
As shown in the map, you should take the road going towards Bontoc. From the Tourism Center, pass by the Banaue Museum and proceed further until you see the following signs along the road to your right:
1. The FIRST viewpoint
Why stop at this viewpoint: From this viewpoint you can see the view shown on the new 20-peso bill
This is how you will see it from the road:
.
THE VIEW
2. The SECOND viewpoint
Why stop at this viewpoint: From this viewpoint you can see the view shown on the old 1000-peso bill
This is how you will see it from the road:
There is no sign at this viewpoint except the name written on the rails that says "NFA Aguian View Deck". It's easy to miss this view deck especially if a lot of cars are parked in front |
At the left side of the rails (the right side of this photo) is the entrance to the lower view deck |
The stairs leading to the lower view deck |
THE VIEW
3. The THIRD viewpoint
Why stop at this viewpoint: This is known as the Dyanarra Viewpoint. It was named by the locals after Dayanara Torres who was crowned Miss Universe in 1994 when the Philippines hosted the Miss Universe pageant. She posed for a Department of Tourism promotional photo before this view of the rice terraces.
Why stop at this viewpoint: This is known as the Dyanarra Viewpoint. It was named by the locals after Dayanara Torres who was crowned Miss Universe in 1994 when the Philippines hosted the Miss Universe pageant. She posed for a Department of Tourism promotional photo before this view of the rice terraces.
This is how you will see it from the road:
THE VIEW
This is the main viewpoint. We couldn't stop at this viewpoint because there are too many stores along the road and no place to park.
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