The View Up North: Baguio City
Baguio City, the summer capital of the Philippines, is one of the most visited places in the country no matter what time of the year. Its temperature which is always 10 degrees lesser than that of the lowlands never fail to lure both local and foreign tourists. The cool climate of the city also makes it conducive for the growth of pine trees, mossy plants, flowering plants, and various fruits and vegetables.
Baguio City was established by the Americans in 1900 at the site of an Ibaloi village called Kafagway. The name Baguio came from the word bagiw, which means “moss” in the Ibaloi dialect. Baguio sits on a plateau with an altitude of 4,900 feet.
Baguio is the seat of the government of the Cordillera Administrative Region. And aside from being the center of business and commerce, the city is also considered as the center of education in North Luzon, housing thousands of students from various provinces all over the country. The city has also been an artists haven because of the rich culture and arts of the Cordillerans.
Where to go in Baguio?
Burnham Park is probably the most visited park in the city because of its proximity to the central business district. The park was named after Daniel Burnham, an American architect who contributed to the urban planning of Baguio City. Burnham Park offers activities you can do whether you are with your family, friends or partner. If you want to just relax, go spread a mat at the picnic grounds and eat and talk with your friends. Lovers and young ones usually choose the more adventurous activities like boating at the man-made lake and biking at the bicycle lane. In the morning, the park accommodates joggers from all over the city. Boxing champ Manny Pacquiao runs at the park whenever he goes to the highlands to train. During Panagbenga season, a fluvial float parade is held at the park. All throughout the year, various major events are held at the park and the adjacent Melvin Jones Grandstand.
Camp John Hay is a 600+ hectares land originally owned by the Americans. It has been converted into a world-class facility enjoyed by the locals tourists today. Camp John Hay is a great place for a stroll or to have picnic at any time of the day. Aside from its 18-hole golf course, CJH offers numerous activities such as horseback riding, wall climbing, zipline, paintball, etc. The Cemetery of Negativism and Bell Theater are found inside the compound. There are also a number of dining choices and accommodations inside the camp. Camp John Hay is fast-becoming a commercial district since it houses a number of multinational companies and shops and restaurants.
The Mansion is the presidential vacation house. The Philippine president and his/her family usually goes here for the holidays. The structure is older than the city itself but has been rebuilt and improved after the liberation of the Philippines. The main gate is said to be a replica of that in Buckingham Palace in London. When the president is not in residence, tourists are allowed to enter a little past the gates for better a view and to take photos.
Wright Park is just across The Mansion. It features a shallow elongated rectangular body of water called “Pool of Pines” and a park circle on the other end of the park, which leads to the area where ponies are rented out. Riding a pony is a sell-out among children and adults alike especially on sunny days and on holidays. Native handicrafts are also sold in the area.
Mines View Park is another popular destination in the city. It offers a view deck to old gold and copper mining sites in Benguet. With the panoramic view on the background, the park is a great place to take photos. At the entrance of the park are food stalls and souvenir shops.
Botanical Garden also known at the Igorot Village is located near Teacher’s Camp. The park showcases more of the Cordillera Culture with its display of native Igorot dwellings and statues of the different tribes from the Cordillera. Being tranquil and quiet, the park is a nice place to sit down and relax. You may also find a group of Igorots at the entrance whom you can take photo souvenirs with for a fee.
Tam-Awan Village is where people get a chance to see how Igorot huts really look like. Visitors are allowed to climb up the wooden ladder and see what’s inside each hut. The highest point of the village offers a panoramic view of the lowlands and the Gulf of Lingayen.
Other places to visit:
Session Road, Catholic Cathedral, Public Market, Convention Center, Maryknoll Eco Sanctuary, Rizal Park, Lourdes Grotto, Dominican Hill, Philippine Military Academy, Teacher's Camp, Good Shepherd Convent, Easter Weaving Room, Aguinaldo Museum, Mt. Sto Tomas
When to go to Baguio?
Baguio Charter Day or Baguio's founding anniversary is celebrated every first of September. A street parade is held starting from various points of the city and converging at the Athletic Bowl. Other activities include; the search for Mr. & Ms. Baguio, Hotel and Restaurant Tourism Weekend, treeplanting and conservation efforts and various sports events.
The Panagbenga Festival (Flower Festival) is one of the most celebrated festivals in the country. Panagbenga is a Kankana-ey term for “season of blooming.” The month-long festival includes a grand float parade participated by organizations and groups in their flower-decorated floats, street dancing presented by dancers clad in flower-inspired costumes, Session In Bloom, concerts, sports events and various competitions. Session In Bloom is a week-long trade fair held at the stretch of the busy Session Road temporarily closed for traffic to give way to the event. People from all over the country go all the way up to Baguio to join the celebration.
Spring Festival or Chinese New Year is also celebrated by the Filipino-Chinese community in the city. A grand colorful parade and dragon dance is held at the Session Road alongside other activities such as gift-sharing and fireworks display.
Where to eat in Baguio?
Hill Station is located at the old Casa Vallejo. The restaurant serves local dishes as well as blends of Asian, European and American delis.
Oh My Gulay. Having a unique and wonderful ambiance, this vegetarian restaurant located at the top of La Azotea in Session Road is frequented by both vegans and non-vegans for their food.
50s Diner is a vintage Hollywood-themed restaurant best known for its good-size meals. If you have a big appetite, try dining at this restaurant and enjoy their Sunday music. They have two branches, one in Leonard Wood and another in Military Cut-off.
Good Taste is a favorite among locals and almost always becomes an instant favorite among first-timers. True to its name, the restaurant serves delectable food and for cheap prices. Located abeside Centermall Baguio, the restaurant is open 24 hours.
Cafe by the Ruins stands at the pre-war residence of the governor of Benguet and serves as an art space and restaurant. It is a must-visit for art enthusiasts and foodies alike because the place is frequented by artists and at the same time serves local delis.
Pizza Volante, located in Session Road, the restaurant is usually a hangout place to students and yuppies. They serve pizza, pasta, cakes and beer.
Other suggested restaurants:
Cafe Will, Choco-late de Batirol, Solibao Restaurant, Bliss Cafe, Jack’s Rice, Cathy’s Fastfood, Rose Bowl, Teahouse Restaurant & Bakeshop, Vizco’s Restaurant & Cake Shop, Don Henrico’s Pizza, Brod Pitt, O’Mai Khan, Cottage Gi’s, D Kamalig Grill Bar & Restaurant, PNKY Cafe, Villa Cordillera, Gecko,
Baguio By night
Never ever miss the night life in Baguio. One of the most enchanting things about Baguio is the city night itself. If you find partying in other parts of the country enjoyable enough, Baguio takes partying into a different level.
If you wanna go drinking, you may check out several places around the city. Nevada Square is most popular among the young ones. If you want to watch lives bands and homegrown talents, bars and coffee shops at Legarda usually hold gigs at night.
If you don’t feel like going far, Session Road alone offers lots of places to chill out. Watch folk singers perform at Ayuyang bar located at the upper part of Session Road. Rumours, Ionic, Marian Platz among others are also found in the stretch of the central business district.
How to Get There
Baguio City is 5-6 hours away from Metro Manila. There are lots of bus lines all over the metro that travel up to the city such as Victory Liner, Partas, Genesis Transport, GV Florida Transport, Saulog Transit, Dagupan Bus Co. Inc, Dangwa Tranco, and many other minibuses. Most of these bus lines have an hourly trip to Baguio.
Baguio can also be reached by air. The lone airport in Loakan is open to commuter size aircraft.
Baguio’s enchanting beauty makes lots of locals and foreigners keep coming back while those that can’t resist opted to stay and retire in the city. With its cool weather, pine-scented air, scenic views, and friendly people, Baguio is not just one of the best places to visit when in the Philippines but also an ideal suitable city to be a resident of. Those who experience the Baguio magic say that Baguio is definitely a home away from home.
*Shorter version of the article published in the April – May 2012 Issue of Philippine Tourist Destination
Baguio City was established by the Americans in 1900 at the site of an Ibaloi village called Kafagway. The name Baguio came from the word bagiw, which means “moss” in the Ibaloi dialect. Baguio sits on a plateau with an altitude of 4,900 feet.
Baguio is the seat of the government of the Cordillera Administrative Region. And aside from being the center of business and commerce, the city is also considered as the center of education in North Luzon, housing thousands of students from various provinces all over the country. The city has also been an artists haven because of the rich culture and arts of the Cordillerans.
Where to go in Baguio?
Burnham Park is probably the most visited park in the city because of its proximity to the central business district. The park was named after Daniel Burnham, an American architect who contributed to the urban planning of Baguio City. Burnham Park offers activities you can do whether you are with your family, friends or partner. If you want to just relax, go spread a mat at the picnic grounds and eat and talk with your friends. Lovers and young ones usually choose the more adventurous activities like boating at the man-made lake and biking at the bicycle lane. In the morning, the park accommodates joggers from all over the city. Boxing champ Manny Pacquiao runs at the park whenever he goes to the highlands to train. During Panagbenga season, a fluvial float parade is held at the park. All throughout the year, various major events are held at the park and the adjacent Melvin Jones Grandstand.
Camp John Hay is a 600+ hectares land originally owned by the Americans. It has been converted into a world-class facility enjoyed by the locals tourists today. Camp John Hay is a great place for a stroll or to have picnic at any time of the day. Aside from its 18-hole golf course, CJH offers numerous activities such as horseback riding, wall climbing, zipline, paintball, etc. The Cemetery of Negativism and Bell Theater are found inside the compound. There are also a number of dining choices and accommodations inside the camp. Camp John Hay is fast-becoming a commercial district since it houses a number of multinational companies and shops and restaurants.
The Mansion is the presidential vacation house. The Philippine president and his/her family usually goes here for the holidays. The structure is older than the city itself but has been rebuilt and improved after the liberation of the Philippines. The main gate is said to be a replica of that in Buckingham Palace in London. When the president is not in residence, tourists are allowed to enter a little past the gates for better a view and to take photos.
Wright Park is just across The Mansion. It features a shallow elongated rectangular body of water called “Pool of Pines” and a park circle on the other end of the park, which leads to the area where ponies are rented out. Riding a pony is a sell-out among children and adults alike especially on sunny days and on holidays. Native handicrafts are also sold in the area.
Mines View Park is another popular destination in the city. It offers a view deck to old gold and copper mining sites in Benguet. With the panoramic view on the background, the park is a great place to take photos. At the entrance of the park are food stalls and souvenir shops.
Botanical Garden also known at the Igorot Village is located near Teacher’s Camp. The park showcases more of the Cordillera Culture with its display of native Igorot dwellings and statues of the different tribes from the Cordillera. Being tranquil and quiet, the park is a nice place to sit down and relax. You may also find a group of Igorots at the entrance whom you can take photo souvenirs with for a fee.
Tam-Awan Village is where people get a chance to see how Igorot huts really look like. Visitors are allowed to climb up the wooden ladder and see what’s inside each hut. The highest point of the village offers a panoramic view of the lowlands and the Gulf of Lingayen.
Other places to visit:
Session Road, Catholic Cathedral, Public Market, Convention Center, Maryknoll Eco Sanctuary, Rizal Park, Lourdes Grotto, Dominican Hill, Philippine Military Academy, Teacher's Camp, Good Shepherd Convent, Easter Weaving Room, Aguinaldo Museum, Mt. Sto Tomas
When to go to Baguio?
Baguio Charter Day or Baguio's founding anniversary is celebrated every first of September. A street parade is held starting from various points of the city and converging at the Athletic Bowl. Other activities include; the search for Mr. & Ms. Baguio, Hotel and Restaurant Tourism Weekend, treeplanting and conservation efforts and various sports events.
The Panagbenga Festival (Flower Festival) is one of the most celebrated festivals in the country. Panagbenga is a Kankana-ey term for “season of blooming.” The month-long festival includes a grand float parade participated by organizations and groups in their flower-decorated floats, street dancing presented by dancers clad in flower-inspired costumes, Session In Bloom, concerts, sports events and various competitions. Session In Bloom is a week-long trade fair held at the stretch of the busy Session Road temporarily closed for traffic to give way to the event. People from all over the country go all the way up to Baguio to join the celebration.
Spring Festival or Chinese New Year is also celebrated by the Filipino-Chinese community in the city. A grand colorful parade and dragon dance is held at the Session Road alongside other activities such as gift-sharing and fireworks display.
Where to eat in Baguio?
Hill Station is located at the old Casa Vallejo. The restaurant serves local dishes as well as blends of Asian, European and American delis.
Oh My Gulay. Having a unique and wonderful ambiance, this vegetarian restaurant located at the top of La Azotea in Session Road is frequented by both vegans and non-vegans for their food.
50s Diner is a vintage Hollywood-themed restaurant best known for its good-size meals. If you have a big appetite, try dining at this restaurant and enjoy their Sunday music. They have two branches, one in Leonard Wood and another in Military Cut-off.
Good Taste is a favorite among locals and almost always becomes an instant favorite among first-timers. True to its name, the restaurant serves delectable food and for cheap prices. Located abeside Centermall Baguio, the restaurant is open 24 hours.
Cafe by the Ruins stands at the pre-war residence of the governor of Benguet and serves as an art space and restaurant. It is a must-visit for art enthusiasts and foodies alike because the place is frequented by artists and at the same time serves local delis.
Pizza Volante, located in Session Road, the restaurant is usually a hangout place to students and yuppies. They serve pizza, pasta, cakes and beer.
Other suggested restaurants:
Cafe Will, Choco-late de Batirol, Solibao Restaurant, Bliss Cafe, Jack’s Rice, Cathy’s Fastfood, Rose Bowl, Teahouse Restaurant & Bakeshop, Vizco’s Restaurant & Cake Shop, Don Henrico’s Pizza, Brod Pitt, O’Mai Khan, Cottage Gi’s, D Kamalig Grill Bar & Restaurant, PNKY Cafe, Villa Cordillera, Gecko,
Baguio By night
Never ever miss the night life in Baguio. One of the most enchanting things about Baguio is the city night itself. If you find partying in other parts of the country enjoyable enough, Baguio takes partying into a different level.
If you wanna go drinking, you may check out several places around the city. Nevada Square is most popular among the young ones. If you want to watch lives bands and homegrown talents, bars and coffee shops at Legarda usually hold gigs at night.
If you don’t feel like going far, Session Road alone offers lots of places to chill out. Watch folk singers perform at Ayuyang bar located at the upper part of Session Road. Rumours, Ionic, Marian Platz among others are also found in the stretch of the central business district.
How to Get There
Baguio City is 5-6 hours away from Metro Manila. There are lots of bus lines all over the metro that travel up to the city such as Victory Liner, Partas, Genesis Transport, GV Florida Transport, Saulog Transit, Dagupan Bus Co. Inc, Dangwa Tranco, and many other minibuses. Most of these bus lines have an hourly trip to Baguio.
Baguio can also be reached by air. The lone airport in Loakan is open to commuter size aircraft.
Baguio’s enchanting beauty makes lots of locals and foreigners keep coming back while those that can’t resist opted to stay and retire in the city. With its cool weather, pine-scented air, scenic views, and friendly people, Baguio is not just one of the best places to visit when in the Philippines but also an ideal suitable city to be a resident of. Those who experience the Baguio magic say that Baguio is definitely a home away from home.
*Shorter version of the article published in the April – May 2012 Issue of Philippine Tourist Destination
