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Bontoc is Mountain Province's capital, home to the Bontoc tribe. This municipality boasts rich culture and heritage and beautiful desti...

Maligcong Rice Terraces: The Wonderful Gem of Bontoc

Bontoc is Mountain Province's capital, home to the Bontoc tribe. This municipality boasts rich culture and heritage and beautiful destinations like Maligcong Rice Terraces built a thousand years ago.


We headed to its famous rice terraces on our first day in Bontoc. Our host and guide, Kuya Joseph, guided us to Maligcong Rice Terraces. The jump-off / point entry was near our accommodation, Maligcong Chen's Homestay. The trek was smooth and had no pressure at all. I thought rice terraces can only be found in the Ifugao province (Banaue / Batad Rice Terraces), but hey, Bontoc has its own version of rice terraces. This living cultural landscape offers a beautiful view of mountains and towering pine trees.


We saw some locals fixing the rice fields. Some of them were digging the farm and others were removing unwanted plants on the complex stone or mud walls. We also found little kids playing with clay mud and running water from the plastic host. The people we met along the trail were friendly. They greeted us "Good Morning" with a smile.


The planting season in Maligcong Rice Terraces starts in March when seeds grow into a lush field from April to May. The rice field turns golden in August. By October, the rice becomes ready for harvesting. Unfortunately, we visited the place last January,  which is the end month of the harvest season. The fields had no plants. It's only filled with water.


We took mandatory pictures along the trail. It's easy to find a place for picture taking because we can capture great photos anywhere. The breathtaking view of the terraces was Instagrammable.



We passed through unending paddies to the community near the Maligcong Rice Terraces. Most of the houses in the village were made of wood and metal sheets used for roofing. We're also surprised by the tombstones in the area. It's literally in front of the house.

The Maligcong Rice Terraces is one of the priceless contributions of Philippine ancestors to humanity. It is a living cultural landscape of unparalleled beauty.

Other tourist attractions in Bontoc include Mt. Kupapey, Mt Fato, and Liknon Waterfalls. 


WHERE TO STAY

Maligcong Chen's Homestay is one of the best transient homes in Bontoc. It is notable for its strategic and panoramic view of mountains, towering pine trees, and popular rice terraces. It's also near the jump-off point to beautiful destinations like Mt. Kupapey or Mt. Fato. Kuya Joseph. The owner of the homestay was very accommodating and friendly. He made sure we would have a great stay in his homestay.  

Maligcong Chen's Homestay can accommodate up to 14 pax. It has rooms for singles, couples, and for the group. They also offer meals for breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner. Hot and cold showers are also available. 

I rate Maligcong Chen's Homestay 10/10 for its excellent service. Joseph and her wife were very friendly. I love their food, especially the sauteed vegetables, and the tuna carbonara. You may contact them at 09562805628

HOW TO GO THERE

From Manila, take a Coda bus ride to Bontoc town. Upon arrival, walk to the jeepney terminal to Maligcong near the commercial center. Fare is P20 and travel time is approximately 20-30 minutes. It is advisable to topload to see the beautiful scenery along the road.

Bontoc can also be reached either through Baguio or Banaue route. GL Trans Bus Lines ply the Halsema Highway to Bontoc from Baguio, the first trip is 7:00AM, and the travel time is approximately 5 hours. 

Have you been to Maligcong Rice Terraces? Share your experience or review by putting a comment about this destination. You can also put your questions in the comment box.

3 comments:

  1. Nice place! I'll definitely have to check it out soon!

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  2. Defintely! You should put this one in your bucket list

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  3. definitely Malegcong is one of the most beautiful places to be, foreigners are the first guests to this amazing place and now, it is being known by the locals. It is less crowded and you can really commune with nature without interruptions. This place is highly recommended

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