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Hungduan is a town in Ifugao, a province in the Cordillera mountain range in the north of the island of Luzon, in the Philippines. It has some of the famous Rice Terraces of the Cordilleras inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Understand
[edit | edit source]Hungduan forms the northwestern corner of Ifugao and makes up the triboundary with Benguet and Mountain Province. It has some of the famous Rice Terraces of the Cordilleras inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1995, but it is frequently overlooked by tourists, who stay in neighboring Banaue due to Hungduan's relative isolation and limited infrastructure.
It is home to about 9,000 people (census, 1 July 2024) 
Get in
[edit | edit source]Except for the northern barangay of Lubo-ong which borders Bontoc, Hungduan is bypassed by the Nueva Vizcaya-Ifugao-Mountain Province Road, which is traversed by buses from Metro Manila. Instead, travelers disembark in neighboring Banaue and take jeepneys heading to Tinoc-Hungduan-Banaue Road leading to downtown Hungduan or to barangay Hapao, where the UNESCO-inscribed terraces can be seen along the highway. Services tend to be infrequent though, given the low population density.
Get around
[edit | edit source]There are tricycles in town, but a 4WD or any vehicle suitable for mountain roads is best used. Most attractions in town are accessible following extended hikes.
See
[edit | edit source]- 1 Hungduan Rice Terraces. A rice terrace complex lining the Hapao River valley in the barangays of Hapao, Nungulunan and Ba-ang. It is one of five rice terrace complexes in Ifugao included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, but is overlooked by tourists in favor of the more accessible ones in Banaue. There is a panoramic viewdeck along the Tinoc-Hungduan-Banaue Road in Hapao.
- 2 Bacung Rice Terraces, Poblacion. A spiderweb-like rice terrace complex in downtown Hungduan.
- 3 Lion's Head, Tinoc-Hungduan-Banaue Road, Poblacion. A small lion's head carved into the rock at a curve along the highway.
- 4 Mount Napulauan, Poblacion. The second highest mountain in Ifugao after Mount Pulag, with a height of 2,642 metres (8,668 ft). Climbers risk the extraordinarily difficult climb to view the sunrise at its summit, as well as its mossy forests. The mountain was also used as a headquarters by Japanese general Tomoyuki Yamashita during the final days of World War II in 1945.
- 5 Bogyah Hot Spring, Hapao. A hot sulfur spring.
- 6 Hungduan Eco-village, Poblacion (at the back of the municipal hall). A collection of traditional houses showcasing indigenous Ifugao culture.
- 7 Balentimol Falls, Balentimol. A cascade at the foot of Mount Napalawan.
Do
[edit | edit source]Buy
[edit | edit source]All transactions are in cash. There are no banks or ATMs in town.
- 1 Hungduan Public Market, Nueva Vizcaya-Ifugao-Mountain Province Road, Lubo-ong.
Eat
[edit | edit source]Drink
[edit | edit source]Sleep
[edit | edit source]There are several homestays in Hungduan, particularly in Poblacion and Hapao.
- 1 Giovanni's Place, Sitio Pulla, Hapao, ☏ +63 935 756 4378, giovannisplacepulla@gmail.com.
Stay safe
[edit | edit source]Accidents and landslides are common along the mountain roads, with the danger compounded by low or nonexistent guard rails and fog. Ensure that your vehicle is in good condition.
Permits are required from local authorities to undertake any hikes or climb mountains. The hiking season runs during the dry season from November to May. While Ifugao is often known for its cool weather, do not underestimate the effects of heat and exhaustion while climbing, especially as many of the slopes are directly exposed to sunlight.
Connect
[edit | edit source]The town’s postal code is 3603.
Internet and phone signals in town can be erratic.
Go next
[edit | edit source]| Routes through Hungduan |
| Sagada ← Bontoc ← | N  S | → Banaue → Bagabag |