Baguio City is a well-known tourist spot in the Philippines merely because of its cool weather. The City of Baguio is home to several tourist spots or tourist destinations which are surrounded by lush pine trees. Known as the Summer Capital of the Philippines Baguio City offers a lot more than the cold weather, Baguio city is also home to friendly people and rich culture and tradition which are evident from the different tourist attractions that Baguio City has to offer.
We departed Victory Liner Cubao at 11:15 PM and we arrived to Baguio at 4:30AM. Fare is Php 455.00. As you go down the bus, many people offers hotel accommodations and tours you may choose from.
Our first day there is just a DIY trip. From the pension house, we had a long walk going to Melvin Jones Grand Stand, SM City Baguio, then we had lunch at Sizzling Plate Baguio located at SM Baguio… Then continued walking to Our Lady of Atonement Cathedral Baguio and lastly to Burnham Park until the evening came.
MELVIN JONES GRAND STAND – located at eastern part of Burnham Park.
SM CITY BAGUIO – just walking-distance from Melvin Jones Grand Stand.
BAGUIO CATHEDRAL – A Catholic cathedral located at Cathedral Loop, adjacent to Session Road in Baguio City in the Philippines. It is distinct for its rose-colored exterior, twin spires and traditional stained glass windows make it famous and is one of the most photographed iconic buildings in Baguio City. It served as an evacuation center during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines during World War II.
BURNHAM PARK – An urban park located at the heart of the City of Baguio, in the Philippines. It was named after the American architect and urban planner, Daniel Hudson Burnham who laid the plans for the city.
On the next day, our destinations were Botanical Garden, The Mansion, Wright Park, Mines View Park, Tree Top Adventure (Camp John Hay), Philippine Military Academy, Bell Church, Strawberry Farm at La Trinidad, Benguet for strawberry picking, and Lourdes Grotto. We just bought a tour package for convenient travel… Php 2,500.00 – van with fuel and driver good for 1 day (8am-5pm) tour.
BOTANICAL GARDEN – Also known as the Igorot Village, it contains many Igorot houses amidst various flora and fauna that grow in the cool climate of the city. Tourists can usually take pictures with the Igorot tribesmen dressed in their traditional costume.
THE MANSION – The Mansion house is the official summer residence of the President of the Philippines. The main gate is an exact replica of the one found in Buckingham Palace in London. In front of this is the Wright Park.
WRIGHT PARK – Named after the architect who designed the city, it features a shallow elongated rectangular body of water known as the “Pool of Pines”. At one end, there is a circle where visitors can go horseback-riding.
MINES VIEW PARK – It is one of the most visited tourist spots in Baguio City. The park has a viewdeck where one can have an unobstructed view of Balatok, Antamok and Atok mines and a spectacular view of the Cordillera mountain range.
TREE TOP HILL ADVENTURE (CAMP JOHN HAY) – So much fun and excitement in here! There are packages with exciting rides to choose from like the superman, silver surfer, canopy ride, the funicular and the tree drop. Though, you have to sign a waiver before you enjoy the ride. We chose Silver Surfer for only Php 200.00 per pax, and this ride is pair system. It’s like a zipline but definitely not.
CAMP JOHN HAY – Once a military recreational camp of the Americans during World War II, it has become a popular destination for people who wish to see the pine forests in the city. It also boasts of a sprawling country club with a full 18-hole golf course as well as many trendy restaurants and a nice hotel.
PHILIPPINE MILITARY ACADEMY (PMA) – Located at Fort Gregorio del Pilar on Loakan Road, visitors are welcome to explore the grounds, view the cadets performing their drills, and explore the PMA museum and walk around its manicured grounds to see vintage tanks and other historical military weapons.
BELL CHURCH – It is located north of the city along the road leading to the capital town of La Trinidad, Benguet. Within its compound are intricately designed arches and buildings adorned with flags, bells and dragons. It has a pagoda, and landscaped gardens. There are some Buddhist artifacts to be found there, as well as some literature about the history of China.
STRAWBERRY FARM – Located just 30 minutes from Baguio City, Strawberry Farm “opens it doors” for the activity from November to May every year. The rates for strawberry picking vary. In general, it costs twice the market price to pick your own strawberries, which folks find strange, especially those who have tried apple or orange picking in orchards in other countries thinking they provide “free labor.” (Php 300.00 per kilo)The difference here is that strawberries are a very delicate fruit compared to apples and oranges and a lot are actually ruined or wasted when harvested by ‘amateurs.’ So half the cost is for the strawberries, and the other half is for the activity itself. There’s no minimum amount per person, by the way, they just weigh how much you all have picked together and you’re charged for it. All in all, strawberry picking “Baguio style” is an experience well worth it as it is the stuff that warm childhood memories are made of — priceless even!
TIP: If you want to take home strawberries (from Baguio to Manila), you must pick up strawberries that are not yet ripe but not green color strawberries. And when you reached Manila, you’ll be surprised, all were ripens!
After strawberry picking, since you’re almost near the market, you might want to buy vegetables like cauliflower, lettuce, broccoli and others in very minimum costs compared when you buy it to Manila. The price is almost thrice the price here or maybe more expensive.
LOURDES GROTTO – A good spot for the religious tourists, you can reach Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto by climbing the steps; I’m not sure on the count but around 200 steps? But don’t worry because there are resting areas in between the stairs where you can stop for a while. Candles and flowers are also being sold in the area, you can buy these so you can light and offer them once you get to the top.
Well, 3D2N stay in Baguio City is worth remembering! It was an amazing city … well worth the visit … and we’re going back!
EDKAR FOREVER 