Nagacadan Rice Terraces

Nagacadan is the southernmost of the five inscribed terrace clusters, in Kiangan rather than around Banaue, and its distinguishing feature is the split: two river courses run down the valley and the terraces climb both flanks in long parallel bands, so the cluster reads as two facing systems rather than one bowl. Kiangan is the oldest settled part of Ifugao and carries its own weight of history - the Ifugao Museum is here, and the Kiangan War Memorial Shrine marks the place where General Yamashita surrendered in September 1945, an event the town treats seriously and which brings visitors who have no interest in terraces at all. The terraces are reached by a walk from the barangay road, and they are less visited than Batad or Bangaan, which means fewer guides and fewer facilities but also almost nobody else on the paths.

The main sights

• The split valley - terraces climbing both sides of two watercourses.
• The parallel bands - long straight runs rather than curves.
• The Ifugao Museum - the collection in Kiangan town.
• The war memorial - the 1945 surrender site above the town.

When to go

April to June for green; December to February for the flooded fields. Kiangan is lower and warmer than Banaue, so the dry months are comfortable.

Practical notes

There is little infrastructure at the terraces themselves - no viewing platforms or signage. Guides are arranged in town and are not always available. The walk in is on farm paths.

Nearby

Lagawe is the provincial capital nearby; Banaue and its terrace clusters are an hour and a half north.

Key facts