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Getting Around | Tourist Office | Entertainment | Things to do and see
Top Things To Do in the Philippines
Go diving and explore World War II wrecks on the islands of Batangas, Bohol, Mindoro (particularly Apo Reef Marine Park) and Palawan. Sicogon Island is a haven for scuba divers, and has mountains and virgin forests to explore. Boracay Island is another such island paradise. A survey considered its powdery-fine white-sand beach to be amongst the best in the world. Santa Cruz Island has a sand beach which turns pink when the corals from the sea are washed ashore, and is ideal for bathing, snorkelling and scuba-diving. There is also an old Muslim burial ground here. La Union, situated on the northwest coast of Luzon, has some of the best beach resort facilities on the island. Boating enthusiasts can rent traditional canoes (bancas) on most beaches. Surfing and windsurfing are also popular. Kayaking and some rafting are available in the wet season in the interiors of Luzon and Mindanao.
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• The Magellan Monument on Mactan Island was raised in 1886 to mark the spot where Magellan died, felled by the fierce chieftain, Datu Lapu-Lapu, who refused to submit to the Spanish conquerors. There is also a monument to Datu Lapu-Lapu honouring him as the first Filipino patriot. Maribago is the centre of the region's guitar-making industry.
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Watch a traditional game of Sipa, played with a small wicker ball, at the Rizal Court in Manila.
• In Zamboanga City (Mindanao island), visit the flea market which sells Muslim pottery, clothes and brassware.
On Corregidor Island, 'The Rock', has a famous memorial to those who were killed during the Japanese invasion, and is accessible by hydrofoil.
On Corregidor Island, 'The Rock', has a famous memorial to those who were killed during the Japanese invasion, and is accessible by hydrofoil.
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On Corregidor Island, 'The Rock', has a famous memorial to those who were killed during the Japanese invasion, and is accessible by hydrofoil.
• In the province of Lanao del Sur (Mindanao island), characterised by its Muslim community, do not miss Lake Lanao, Signal Hill, the Sacred Mountain, the native market, Torongan, homes of the Maranao royalty, the various Muslim mosques on the shores of the lake and examples of the famous brassware industry centred in Tugaua.
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• Davao province (Mindanao island) is the site of Mount Apo, the highest peak in the country, while the Apo Range has spectacular waterfalls, rapids, forests, springs and mountain lakes.
• On the northern coast of Mindanao, Cagayan de Oro is the gateway to some of the most beautiful islands in the Philippines. By way of contrast, in Bukidnon there are huge cattle ranches and the famous Del Monte pineapple fields, and Iligan City is the site of the hydroelectric complex driven by the Maria Cristina Falls.
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In summer, enjoy all kinds of festivities in Tagaytay (Luzon island). Buy flowering plants and fruits (in season) at roadside stalls. Tagaytay Ridge in Cavite overlooks a lake that contains Taal Volcano, which itself holds another lake.
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• Visit Villa Escudero, an 800-hectare coconut plantation in Quezon Province (Luzon island). Less than two hours by road from Manila, it is part of a working plantation, yielding rare glimpses into rural life. Guests are taken on a tour of a typical village on a cart drawn by a carabao, or water buffalo.
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• Visit Villa Escudero, an 800-hectare coconut plantation in Quezon Province (Luzon island). Less than two hours by road from Manila, it is part of a working plantation, yielding rare glimpses into rural life. Guests are taken on a tour of a typical village on a cart drawn by a carabao, or water buffalo.
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• On Hundred Islands, the second-largest marine reservation in the world, teeming with over 2000 species of aquatic life, explore the caves and domes of Marcos Island and the Devil's Kitchen. The entire province of Palawan is a remarkable terrain for adventure and exploration, with its primeval rainforests, St Paul's Underground River, Tubattaha Reef and Tabon Caves with human fossils dating back 22,000-24,000 years.
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• Banaue is a nine-hour bus ride north of Baguio. The beautiful rice terraces are the main attraction of this area. A breathtaking sight, they rise majestically to an altitude of 1525m (5000ft), and encompass an area of 10,360 sq km (4000 sq miles). The terraces were hand-carved some 2000 years ago using crude tools cutting into once barren rock, each ledge completely encompassing the mountain. Now listed by UNESCO as World Heritage sites, they offer an unforgettable sight to tourists and trekkers in the area.
• Cebu City, on Cebu island, is the main resort of the Visayas, a group of islands between Luzon and Mindanao. Sights include Magellan's Cross, a wooden cross planted by Magellan himself over 450 years ago to commemorate the baptism into the Christian faith of Rajah Humabon and his wife Juana with 800 followers. Basilica Minor del Santa Niño houses a baptismal gift that Magellan gave to his wife - a black image of the infant child. Fort San Pedro, the oldest and smallest Spanish fort in the country, was built on the orders of Spanish conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi in 1565. The Taoist Temple is a reminder the city's Chinese heritage.
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• In the oldest part of the capital Manila (Luzon island), see the remains of the massive wall which protected the Intramuros (Walled City). Places of interest include San Agustin Church and Manila Cathedral, from which there is an excellent view of the 2072 sq km (800 sq miles) of the harbour, the ruins of Fort Santiago and Chinatown (outside the Intramuros). In the Luneta Park, discover the Rizal Monument, a memorial to the execution of this great Filipino intellectual of the late 19th century. Other places of interest are the American Cemetery and Coconut Palace.
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250km (150 miles) north of Manila is Baguio, 1525m (5000ft) above sea level, a cool haven from the summer heat. Drive up the zigzagging Kennon Road to have spectacular views of the countryside. Main attractions include The Mansion, summer residence of the Philippine President; Bell Church; Baguio Cathedral; and the Crystal Caves, composed of crystalline metamorphic rocks and once an ancient burial site.
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• In Zamboanga City, considered by some as the most romantic place in the Philippines, in the southwestern tip of Mindanao, discover the island's seashells, unspoiled tropical scenery and magnificent flowers. Zamboanga was founded by the Spanish, and the 17th-century walls of Fort Pilar, built to protect the Spanish and Christian Filipinos from Muslim onslaughts, are still standing. Pershing and Pasonanca Park are worth visiting.
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• In Iloilo City, on Panay island, look at the 18th-century Miagao Church, a unique piece of Baroque colonial architecture with a facade decorated with impressions of coconut and papaya trees.
• On Bohol Island, just across the straits from Cebu in Central Visayas, see the smallest monkey in the world, the tarsier, and some of the country's most fascinating natural wonders; hundreds of limestone hills, some 30m (100ft) high, that in summer look like oversized chocolate drops, earning them the name 'Chocolate Hills'. Visit the Baclayon Church, probably the oldest stone church in the Philippines, dating back to 1595.
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In Baguio (Luzon island), 250km (150 miles) north of Manila and 1525m (5000ft) above sea level, go biking, skating, hiking, horseback riding or walking in Burnham Park, named after the city's planner, David Burnham.
In Carcar town, south of Cebu City, view many preserved Castillian houses, gardens and churches. The Chapel of the Last Supper in Mandaue City features hand-carved life-size statues of Christ and his apostles dating back to Spanish times.
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On Bohol island, a coconut-growing area, purchase local handicrafts, mostly of woven materials: grass mats, hats and baskets.
• In the Parish of Las Piñas, a little way outside Manila, view the famous and unique bamboo organ inside the St. Joseph Church.
• In Zamboanga City, considered by some as the most romantic place in the Philippines, in the southwestern tip of Mindanao, discover the island's seashells, unspoiled tropical scenery and magnificent flowers. Zamboanga was founded by the Spanish, and the 17th-century walls of Fort Pilar, built to protect the Spanish and Christian Filipinos from Muslim onslaughts, are still standing. Pershing and Pasonanca Park are worth visiting.
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This page was created on Tue, 2 Jan 2007 15:38:26 +0000
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