Banaue, Ifugao, The Philippines
One of the most striking sights on Earth, the Ifugao Rice Terraces are a series of irrigated rice terraces hand-carved into the mountains of the Northern Philippines. The oldest use of terraces in the world, the seemingly endless, perfectly contoured walls can reach up to heights of 52 feet, and are fed by an ancient irrigation system stemming from the rainforests high above.
Now known as the pride of the Ifugao people, and sometimes referred to as the Eighth Wonder of the World, these sprawling terraces cover a distance of nearly 4,000 miles, and are the perfect showcase for what it means for man and nature to harmoniously coexist.
And while the terraces are essential for the survival of the local communities, its insurmountable walls and difficult terrain carry the added bonus of keeping the region free from colonizers and other outside influences, resulting in a wholly unique icon from an ancient generation.
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