scenic viewpoint
Banaue Rice Terraces
Ancient rice terraces carved into mountainsides by the Ifugao people over 2,000 years ago, often called the Eighth Wonder of the World.
5 km · about 10 min drive
Cordillera, Philippines · Asia
Hapao works well as a base: 10 minutes from Hungduan, 23km from Sumaguing Cave.
Hapao is a town located in Cordillera, Philippines. With a population of 2,188, it is an important destination in Asia.
On a road trip, Hapao sits in Philippines, where you drive on the right. It's in the Asia/Manila time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Hapao to your route.
The Banaue Rice Terraces (Filipino: Hagdan-hagdang Palayan ng Banawe) [bɐˈnawe] are terraces that were carved into the mountains of Banaue, Ifugao, in the Philippines, by the ancestors of the Igorot people. The terraces were built with minimal equipment, largely by hand. The terraces are located approximately 1,500Read more
meters (4,900 feet) above sea level. These are fed by an ancient irrigation system from the rainforests above the terraces.
Locals up to this day still plant rice and vegetables on the terraces, although conservationists have begun arguing that these are no longer “real” rice terraces due to increasingly higher incidence of planting vegetables in lieu of rice. More and more younger Ifugaos do not find farming appealing, often opting for the more lucrative hospitality industry generated by the terraces. The result is the gradual erosion of the characteristic "steps", which require constant reconstruction and care. In 2010, a further problem encountered was drought, with the terraces drying up completely in March of that year.
Anthropologist Otley Beyer has estimated that the terraces are over 2000 years old, but several researchers dispute this and contend that they were built much later. Nevertheless, rice is an ancient ancestral crop of the Philippines, having been carried by Austronesian migrations into the islands since at least 1500 BCE (3500 years ago).
Current threats to the terraces include the giant earthworms ("olang" in Ifugao) of the genus Pheretima or Polypheretima elongata which are blamed for causing damage to the terraces, as well as rodents of the genus Chrotomys and snails.
Compare prices across Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, and more. Select your dates to see availability.
Pick your must-haves once: provider links open pre-filtered. Each filter lists which sites it applies to.
Compare before you book!
Prices can vary significantly between platforms. We recommend checking at least 2-3 sites to find the best deal for your stay in Hapao.
Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Hapao.
Hapao offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.
Plan your road trip to Hapao with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Hapao as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.
Hapao is located in Cordillera, Philippines, Asia. The coordinates are 16.8797 latitude, 121.0160 longitude.
Hapao has a population of approximately 2,188 people, making it a town in Philippines.
Add to your itinerary
Start planning your road trip with Hapao as a destination. Create a custom route and discover more amazing places along the way.
Start Road TripDiscover destinations like Tinder
Swipe through stunning destinations near Hapao. Save your favourites and add them to your trip.
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
scenic viewpoint
Ancient rice terraces carved into mountainsides by the Ifugao people over 2,000 years ago, often called the Eighth Wonder of the World.
5 km · about 10 min drive
scenic viewpoint
A stunning amphitheater of rice terraces in a remote Ifugao village, considered the most dramatic section of the Philippine Cordillera terraces.
11 km · about 20 min drive
natural wonder
The largest cave in Sagada with dramatic limestone formations, underground pools, and a thrilling spelunking adventure through narrow passages.
23 km · about 25 min drive
landmark
Ancient coffins suspended on cliff faces by the Igorot people, a striking burial tradition practiced for thousands of years in the Mountain Province.
24 km · about 25 min drive
scenic viewpoint
A pine-forested Cordillera town reached by a serpentine mountain road from Bontoc, famous for coffins hung on limestone cliff faces in Echo Valley and a sea of cloud seen from Kiltepan viewpoint at dawn.
26 km · about 30 min drive
waterfall
A wide curtain of water falling into a cold pool below Sagada, reached by a stepped descent of around an hour through Aguid's rice terraces. Known locally as the Big Falls.
31 km · about 35 min drive
ancient ruins
Burial caves at around 2,000 metres above Kabayan holding Ibaloi fire-mummies, smoke-cured in wooden coffins several centuries ago. Reached by a rough spur road off the Halsema Highway and a short descent.
36 km · about 40 min drive
historic highway
The 'highest highway in the Philippines' winds along Cordillera ridgelines from Baguio to Bontoc, topping 2,255 m at Atok with vegetable terraces and cloud-filled valleys below.
41 km · about 45 min drive
Year-round
Tropical latitude: plan around the wet season rather than temperature.
Other places to explore near Hapao.
Create your perfect itinerary with our calendar-based planner. Add stops, discover attractions along the way, and share your trip with friends.
Start Planning