There's no better way to start our travel to the Philippines but through a tour of my hometown, the City of Pines - Baguio City.
About Baguio
Baguio was once known as Kafagway, an Ibaloi village. Though it is a relatively small, Baguio is one of the most popular cities in the Philippines today, thanks to its cool weather and its long and colorful history. The development of Baguio as we know it today started in the 1900. The first city plan was made by American architect Daniel Burnham, from whom the most popular city landmark was named after. The city was designed as the American residence of the American Governor General.
Today, Baguio still remains as one of the coolest areas in the country, and is a venue for the annual Panagbenga (an Ilokano term meaning the blossoming of flowers) Festival, an event derived from America's Rose Parade.
The city's main industry is tourism. Every holiday, hundreds of visitors come to the city to escape the heat of the lowlands. The most common tourist destinations include the following:
- Mines View Park
- Camp John Hay
- Lourdes Grotto
- Burnham Park
- Wright Park
- Botanical Garden
- Baguio Cathedral
- Philippine Military Academy
I will give you a virtual tour of these areas and a couple others which remain "undiscovered" up to the present. Some of the places I will show you in this blog do not even have names since they aren't really declared as tourist destinations.
What You Can Expect With Your Trip to Baguio
Baguio is a nature lover's paradise. Though its central business district, Session Road and its surrounding areas are already showing signs of urbanization, there are a lot of areas in the city which are relatively rural. If you are looking for a quiet hike in the mountains or to rediscover history, then this is the place to go.
What to Bring During Your Visit
Here are some of the things you should bring with you when you travel to Baguio:
- Sneakers or rubber shoes - Thanks to the cool weather, you will find yourself wanting to go for a morning jog or long walks in the evening. You'll need to wear something comfy because of the hilly terrain.
- Jacket and warm clothing - If you plan to travel to Baguio during the months of October to February, then you need to have your sweater unless you want to freeze. You don't need to bring your own blankets because most hotels and transient homes will provide you with these. If you find the night too cold, and you need an extra layer, you simply have to request for it.
How to Get There
Going to Baguio is simple - just ride the Victory Bus and you'll be here in 6 hours tops.
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