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| Man-made Lake where anyone can go boating! |
Baguio City is known as the Summer Capital of the Philippines, City of Pines, of Mines, of Flowers and the Ukay-Ukay (Second Hand) Capital.
When I first went there with some of my friends from the office, we just had a 2day/3night stay in a hotel near Session Road. We're there obviously for a job assignment, a roving campaign for a bank financial. We didn't have much time to explore Baguio. Just a few Burnham Park, Wright Park, Camp John Hay Park sightseeings and to the strawberry fields to pick & gather some strawberries. On the other hand, my second trip to Baguio was because of a 60-day band gig. That time, I was with the New Channelz. We had a straight 6-night gigs in a row at Alberto's (the premier bar in Baguio City) and a day-off in a week. It was exciting because I knew I would have enough time to roam around Baguio whenever I'm free from work.
What I've Learned About Baguio?
Baguio is gifted with many attractions making it an interesting place and favorited not only by local but foreign tourists as well. Blessed with with pine trees, cold breezes, chilly cool climate, foggy hills, pleasant views, lovely flowers and friendly people, no wonder why it's been marked as the premiere tourist destination in the Northern part of the Philippines and an ideal place to escape from the tropical heat of the Philippine lowlands. It has the most tourist spots compared to the other Philippine destinations. Most of them are located in the east and south sides, too few are located near the residences. Through the years, Baguio has morphed from what was once a grassy highland into one of the greenest, cleanest and urbanized cities in the country. Its rich culture and resources have created & expanded numerous investments and business opportunities in the city.
Baguio City is an easy place to explore. Inexpensive public transportation around are always available.
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| Burnham Park |
Meanwhile here are some of Baguio Attractions and Spots for Travelers:
- Burnham Park - is located in the heart of Baguio City in the Philippines and is free for the enjoyment of everyone. Around the park are the biking area, the children's playground, the orchidarium, the football ground, the skating rink, the tennis court, the basketball court and a few restaurants. The Monument of Cordillera Soldiers can be seen in Burnham as well as the Man-made lake where everyone can go boating.
- Baguio Cathedral - The historical church with architectural structures located in the heart of the city near Burnham Park.
- Session Road - The most popular road and main street of Baguio City where the commercial centers are, such as department stores, bazaars, boutiques, old movie theaters, hotels, cafes and restaurants, bakeries and grocery stores. A majority of banks operating in Baguio City, as well as various offices, drugstores, book stores and news stands can be found.
- Camp John Hay -The most popular attraction in Baguio which features a beautiful resort and a world class golf course.
- The Mansion - The official summer residence of the Philippine President located in the eastern part of the city along Carlos P. Romulo Drive, right across the Wright Park.
- Wright Park - Across The Mansion is Wright Park that features a shallow elongated rectangular man-made pool of water and the Wright Park Riding Circle, where hundreds of horses are for hire.
- Mines View Park - The main attraction is the commercial activities such as the souvenir and silverworks shops by the park. Tourists also have the chance to get dressed in full Cordillera outfit. It is located past The Mansion and The Wright Park. Mines View Park has a spectacular view of Benguet's gold and copper mines and the Cordillera mountains.
- Baguio Botanical Garden/Centennial Park- The home of the Baguio Arts Guild and is known as the Igorot Village which shows the native houses of Cordillera tribes. Tourists can usually take pictures with the Igorot tribesmen dressed in their traditional native dress.
- Philippine Military Academy - Located at Fort Gregorio del Pilar in Loakan Road. Tourists are welcome to explore the grounds, view the cadets performing their drills, and explore the PMA museum and walk around to see vintage tanks and other historical military weapons.
- Kennon Road - The shortest access route to Baguio City.
- Mount Santo Tomas - Baguio's highest peak, La Union Province below and the South China Sea on the horizon.
- Lourdes Grotto - The Lourdes Grotto is a shrine and a place for meditation in Baguio, located in the western part of Baguio City.
- Tam-awan Village - A native village which has an art gallery.
- Asin Hot Springs - Natural hot springs outside the city limits but considered as Baguio resource.
- Wood Carver's Village - Place of the independent wood carvers. Their works ranges from very small figurines to big statues, located in Asin Road.
- Easter Weaving Room - Where native fabrics and other handicrafts can be found & the place where actual process of cloth weaving is practiced by the natives of the Cordillera provinces for ages.
- Balatoc Mines & Crosby Park - Where the underground mines of Itogon is located and is outside the City of Pines. Meanwhile the Crosby Park suits for hiking, camping, photography, picnics, exercises, walking, and other nature-based experiences. It is also a camp site, with an obstacle course.
- Teacher's Camp, Lion's Head & Baguio City Market - Great place for souvenir items.
- Strawberry Farm - Located in La Trinidad, Benguet.
Baguio Festivals:
- Panagbenga (February)
- Philippine Military Academy Homecoming (February)
- Baguio Holy Week (March or April)
- Baguio Foundation Day (September)
- Baguio Arts (November - December)
- Fil-Am Golf Tournament (November - December)
- Silahis Ng Pasko (December)
Where To Stay
Getting There
By air:
Loakan Airport is the only airport serving the area of Baguio City. It is classified as a trunkline airport, or a major commercial domestic airport, by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, a body of the Department of Transportation and Communications that is responsible for the operations of not only this airport but also of all other airports in the Philippines except the major international airports. It is about 10 minutes by car from the city center going south. Due to the limited length of the runway, it is restricted to commuter size aircraft. The airport is used primarily by helicopters, turbo-prop and piston engine aircraft, although on rare occasion light business jets (LBJ) have flown into the airport.
By Land:
The three main access roads leading to Baguio from the lowlands are Kennon Road, Aspiras-Palispis Highway (formerly Marcos Highway), and Naguilian Road, also known as Quirino Highway.
It takes about six hours to travel from Manila to Baguio City through Kennon Road. It is about fifteen to thirty minutes longer through the Aspiras-Palispis Highway, and could take three more hours if going up from Manila via Naguilian Road -- which is the usual route for travelers from the Northern areas of Luzon such as Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and northern La Union province.
Bus services that operate in Baguio include Philippine Rabbit, Dangwa Tranco, Dagupan Bus, Victory Liner, Partas, Genesis, Saulog Transit.
Travel Tips:
Best time to visit is anytime of the year.
Transportation:
Philippine Rabbit, Dangwa Tranco, Dagupan Bus, Victory Liner, Partas, Genesis, Saulog Transit.
