There are a lot of rice terraces in Asia, but the Philippine Cordilleras is a unique World Heritage Site that should be on any serious traveller's bucket list.
Cordillera Central is located on the Filipino island of Luzon. Its dramatic mountain ranges span slopes of 70 degrees and altitudes of 1,500 metres, and offer world-class hiking trails.
The region comprises four rice terraces. There's Banaue (Batad and Bangaan), Mayoyao, Klangan (Nagacadan), and Hungduan.
Let's check them out in turn...

The Visayas have a number of tourist attractions that will surely appeal to children. Guimara Island is a must visit if you plan to do some island hopping. The Visayas are also known well known for their diving spots. Camotes Island, Balicasag, Mactan, Malapascua and MoalBoal are especially famous.

Visayan cuisine is very simple. If you want to be free of processed food or artificial flavors/chemicals in your food, then Visayan food is for you. Dishes like binignit which is a yam snack in coconut milk, sinugba which is barbecued and spiced meat or fish and seafood kinilaw will have you licking your fingers in delight.

If you want to go shopping, there is no better spot than Cebu City. It is where merchants from all over the region congregates. The Visayas have also some excellent places for trekking. Osmena Peak which is the highest point on Cebu is well known as a trekkers' paradise.

Even though you can find plenty of interesting things to do in Manila, absolutely nothing beats the experience of being inside the same waters which are home to the whale sharks. The locals call these beautiful creatures ‘Butanding' and they can be found in the Donsol Bay from November till June.

Boracay is type of laid back, barefoot, chilled out island paradise where you can spend the entire day sleeping in a sunlounger and dipping your toes in the surf. There is no rush here, it's made for relaxing and enjoying a slower pace of life.

With Tagalog being the national language, the Philippines practice nearly 150 other dialects and languages. The Filipinos have their family roots from all around the world, from Middle Eastern Sufis to Chinese traders, Spanish conquistadors, Malay settlers, and more.

Boracay is one of the most sought-after islands for tourists around the globe, and you cannot tell if it is the azure ocean, the coconut palms that gently sway to the wind or the sun-kissed sand that makes it so appealing. Restaurant and bar chains have not gone a deaf ear to the tourist racket in Borocay, and neither have the tourists to them.

Filipino cuisine has strong Spanish influences (from the 35-decades of Spanish rule that the country saw) and ones from other native traditions as well. Many Westerners are pleased when they learn that Filipino cuisine scores the lowest on the spicy food scale among South East Asian food.

The Philippines nightlife culture comes alive in the Visayas biggest city, Cebu. The city is packed with many amazing restaurants, and the live music only makes it better. If you find boards that mention ‘videoke' know that they are referring to what is known as karaoke elsewhere.

Although the Philippines has numerous modes of travel, the safety aspect of transit modes such as buses, ferry boats and taxis can be a point of concern. It is a good idea to seek the advice of the locals on the best mode of transport at a location. For instance, traveling by plane or ferry is advised for places like Misamis Occidental and Zamboanga del Norte.

The Philippines observes a tropical climate. The holiday seasons, New Year's, Christmas and Easter are when the Philippines is packed with tourists. During the peak season (December to May), you will find that hotel prices have increased by almost three-fold, but that does not deter tourists from holidaying in the country. You would do good booking months in advance, if you plan to visit the Philippines during the peak season.

If you're visiting the Philippines, it is recommended that you explore the varied cuisines of its' different regions. But if you're particularly in the northern part of Philippines in Luzon, try the cuisine of the Ilocos region where the most popular dish is a plate of mixed vegetables that are flavored with the addition of bagoong or fermented fish instead of salt. This Ilocano delicacy is famously called pinakbet.

Your trip to Luzon and Manila is incomplete without visiting Rizal Park which is located at Roxas Boulevard's northern end. It got its name from the national hero of the country and has witnessed some of the most important events in the history of Philippines.