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PHILIPPINES > PLACES TO VISIT
MANILA
Metro Manila is a bustling metropolis that is composed of four cities and thirteen
municipalities, covering an area of 630 square kilometers. The capital city,
Manila, is on Luzon Island, on the eastern shore of Manila Bay. The city was
virtually destroyed during World War II. The original city, Intramuros, was
founded by the Spanish in the late 1500s and still contains examples of 17th-century
Spanish architecture. The Malacanang Palace was built by a Spanish aristocrat
and became the presidential home of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcus.
Metro Manila is a blend of old and new: old and modern buildings, street stalls
and shopping malls, museums, restaurants, bars and nightclubs.
CEBU
Historic Cebu lies in a strategic position in the Visayas; it has been an entry
point for adventurers and merchants for centuries and is where the Portuguese
Captain Ferdinand Magellan planted the Cross of Christianity in 1521. This is
now Cebu’s most famous landmark. In recent years it has become a popular
tourist destination, offering vast stretches of white sandy beaches, mountains,
nightlife, shopping and parks. It is also one of the country’s main diving
centers, with the prime dive spots at Moalboal, Sogod, Pescador, Santa Rosa
Islands and Boyong Boyong in Mactan. Cebu also boasts modern shopping malls,
classy restaurants, two casinos, and golf courses. Also worth visiting is Basilica
Minore de Santo Nino, an ancient church housing the oldest religious image in
the country; Fort San Perdro, formerly a Spanish Garrison and now a park and
a museum, Taoist Temple in Beverly Hills, where people go to have their fortunes
told, the mountain town of Busay, and the old town of Carcar.
BAGUIO
Baguio is the highest City in the Philippines and, with its cool climate, is
an ideal place to go to escape the summer heat in Manila. The city market sells
handicrafts, woodcarvings, fruit preserves, strawberries and vegetables from
the surrounding highlands. Burnham Park and Wright Park are both beauty spots
that are well worth a visit. Camp John Hay boasts a challenging 18-hole golf
course.
QUEZON PROVINCE
Quezon Province is located to the south of Baguio, and it is here that you will
find the Quezon National Park where there is still a great deal of virgin jungle.
BANAUE
Banaue, in north Luzon, boasts spectacular rice terraces that were carved out
of the hillside between 2000 and 3000 years ago by Ifugao tribespeople. They
are still maintained today as a way of irrigating the mountain slopes. Some
them reach an altitude of 1500 meters.
BEACHES
The island of Boracay off the northwestern tip of Panay, has some really beautiful
beaches. The island is only 7 km long but attracts many visitors with its 32
magnificent soft white sandy beaches and tall coconut palms. It has often been
credited with having some of the best beaches in the world and is an all year
round destination. Puerto Galera, on the island of Mindoro is another popular
sun-worshippers destination, Puraran, on Catanduanes, off Luzon, offers another
lovely beautiful beach and a coral reef. There is also good surf here and dangerous
currents.
REMOTE ISLANDS
The northerly Batanes Islands are remote and unspoilt offering a different atmosphere
with traditional villages.
PALAWAN
Palawan is an elongated island-province southwest of Mindoro, offering a national
park, white sand beaches, world class snorkeling and scuba diving. Calauit Island
in Northern Palawan is the national park and is home to some rare and endangered
species of flora and fauna. The Tabon Caves in Southern Palawan are a complex
of archaeological artifacts and the fossilized bones of the Tabon man. The capital,
Puerto Princesa, is the gateway to the province. The St. Paul's Subterranean
National Park is an underground river. Calauit Island in northern Palawan is
a game preserve and the habitat of a mix of exotic African game and endemic
Philippines animals. Dive spots in Palawan are plentiful, and the Tubbataha
Reefs are among the world's best.
VIGAN
Vigan, in north Luzon, offers well-preserved Spanish colonial architecture from
the 17th century.
VIRIATO
Viriato, on the island of Samar in the Visayas, is situated on one of the most
picturesque coastal roads in the Philippines with vistas of mountains, high
cliffs, distant islands and pretty bays. There is a large waterfall near the
town and it is a great area for hiking.
LAKE SEBU
Lake Sebu is an inland sea on the island of Mindanao and lies at an altitude
of almost 300 meters. This is an area where the visitor can find traditional
culture and lifestyles. The local tribespeople, the T'boli, are known for their
brassware, weaving, and colorful Saturday market.
DAVAO CITY
The people of Davao live in harmony with indigenous tribal folk. Close to Davao
City is the country's highest mountain, Mt. Apo. This region is the habitat
of the monkey-eating Philippine Eagle, and the rare Waling-waling, a very beautiful
orchid.
ILOILO
Iloilo Province offers beach resorts, scuba diving, swimming and snorkeling
around the islands of Guimaras and Sicogon. Iloilo is also famous for its old
churches and century-old houses. The Miag-ao Fortress Church is a medieval bastion
church with ornate designs on the facade.
LAGUNA PROVINCE
Historic towns, coconut plantations, lakeshores, sheltered valleys, waterfalls,
hot springs, and volcanoes characterize this area. Lumban is the embroidery
capital of Luzon, and the town of Los Banos is famous for its hot springs.
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