Why the Banaue Rice Terraces are special
The mountainous rice terraces of Banaue and vicinity in the Philippines are mankind's grandest scaled engineering feat. The vertical distance between bottom and top rows exceeds the height of the world's tallest building. If the terraces were laid end to end, they would stretch half way around the world.

History
The Banaue Rice Terraces were carved over a 2,000 year span with primitive handtools by the ancestors of the current farmers, the Ifugao tribesmen.

Other nearby rice terraces
The region has other worth-visiting rice terraces, including those of Batad. Its terraces line a breathtaking amphitheater-shaped slope.

When to visit
Avoid visiting the Banaue Rice Terraces in the rainy season (summer and fall) when low lying clouds can disappointingly mask the views. Winter is the ideal sightseeing season.

Deterioration
The Banaue Rice Terraces (as well as the other regional ones) are now facing erosion. A big reason is many of the tribespeople are abandoning their terraced farms to find jobs elsewhere.

What leading travel books say about the Banaue Rice Terraces
The Banaue Rice Terraces are like stairways to the stars.
The Philippines
Odyssey

The Banaue Rice Terraces are bound to awe the most jaded traveler.
The Philippines
Insight Guides