The most beautiful parks and gardens Philippines

It allows you to observe a multitude of Philippine butterflies and to discover other species such as praying mantises and giant scorpions. It is best to go on a sunny day. The guides present on the spot give a lot of information on the importance of protecting these species and their environment. Indeed, most of them are endangered like the Palawan bearcat (a kind of cat...bear) or the saltwater crocodile. On site, it is also possible to meet members of an indigenous tribe and learn more about their way of life.

The 58-hectare Rizal Park is a must-see place: both a favorite place of relaxation for Filipino walkers and families and a place steeped in history. Considered one of the largest parks in Asia, it stretches from Taft Avenue to Manila Bay. It was called Bagumbayan Field or Luneta during the colonial period, which means "little moon" and was used by the Spaniards as a place of execution for revolutionary Filipinos. The park is now called Rizal National Park in honor of the national hero, Jose Rizal, who was executed here in 1896. His death led to the Philippine revolution. Among the historical events that took place in the park, we should mention the declaration of independence from the United States in 1946, the demonstrations against President Marcos in the 1970s and 1980s, or the impressive World Youth Day in 1995 when a tide of 5 million faithful (!) poured in to attend the mass of Pope John Paul II. Finally, every year, festivities take place on June 12 for Independence and on December 31.

Every day, from the first light of the day, on its lawns, one can meet tai chi lovers or joggers who enjoy the morning freshness. It is also a favorite place for all kinds of oddballs: preachers, smooth talkers and chess players. They are installed near Central Lagoon and give the park a special atmosphere. You can walk around the park from Manila Bay in a clockwise direction and see the following sights

The Delfonso Marcello sculpture. The most beautiful view of the park. The sunset over Manila Bay is magnificent.

The Manila Hotel. The most traditional and most luxurious hotel in Manila. Built in 1912, it is the first 5-star hotel in the Philippines. It was notably the residence of General MacArthur. A visit (or a night) not to be missed.

The Rizal monument. It is certainly the most significant of the monuments in the park and is inspired by the death of Rizal. His farewell poem is inscribed on a plaque in different languages.

The Philippine flag. Next to the Rizal monument, the flagpole of the Philippines flies at a height of 31 meters. It symbolizes the independence of the country, freed from the American yoke on July 4, 1946. It also represents the kilometer 0, which is the reference point to calculate distances in the Philippines.

The Rizal Fountain. Given as a sign of friendship by the Protestant Church of Heidelberg in Germany.

The auditorium. In the open air, it hosts events and concerts.

Chinese and Japanesegardens. The Chinese garden is quite nice, the Japanese garden next to it is a bit more basic but still pleasant.

The orchidarium. Located at the corner of Maria Orosa and P. Burgos Street, it features local orchids and other plant species.

Map. In relief, the 7,000 islands of the Philippines.

National Museum of the Philippines. Located at the eastern end of Rizal Park, one of the most interesting museums to discover the history of Philippine art.

In summary, Rizal Park is a real oasis of calm in the urban jungle that is Manila. It is not particularly beautiful but it is a very important place for all Filipinos so it is worth a visit if you spend a day in the capital. It combines very well with the visit of Intramuros just next door.

A sort of large ecotourism complex, the Malagos features several parks with a wide variety of orchids. Horticultural enthusiasts will be delighted by the variety of traditional and hybrid orchids. There's a pavilion garden and a swimming pool surrounded by restaurants. And as this is a resort, it is of course possible to stay on site in charming rooms. There's also a chocolate museum and spa, for a unique sensory experience.

In 1807, cholera epidemics struck Manila. The construction of a cemetery was ordered, where one had to pay 20 pesos to bury the dead for three years. On December 30, 1896, José Rizal, the national hero, was buried here. In 1912, the burials stopped and the families of the deceased had to exhume their ancestors and move them to other cemeteries... A strange story. In 1966, the cemetery of Paco Park was declared a national park and became a popular place for people to walk around.

This nature park is located in Impasugong, in the north-central part of Bukidnon province, with its twelve mountains, medicinal plants and trees and impressive varieties of birds. It's a great place for nature lovers and walkers, with hikes ranging from a few hours to a full day. The most courageous can climb Mount Kitanglad. This mountain range, the^4th highest in the Philippines, rises to over 2,900 metres.

Among the many orchid gardens in Davao, the Puentespina Orchid Garden is a garden center, store and park in one. It is home to a wide variety of tropical plants, including orchids. Orchids are considered the "national flower", the sacred flower. Before visiting the greenhouse, you can meet artists at work painting in the studio at the entrance to the garden. Other indigenous handicrafts are also available for purchase.

Located close to Fort Pilar, the Paseo del Mar is a bit like the promenade along Manila Bay. People come here for a relaxing stroll, to breathe in the sea air and, in the evening, to watch the superb sunsets. Popular with locals and visiting travellers alike, the park is a veritable oasis in the hustle and bustle of the city. Restaurants, bars and other leisure facilities have sprung up all along the way. And throughout the year, numerous events (parties, festivals...) take place here.

It's a huge, well-kept park where Filipinos love to take their families for the day or even to stay. It's like a little country in the city. Tropical plants and flowers galore, a swimming pool, horseback rides and restaurants. The park is also home to a resort, or rather a lodge, for guests wishing to spend a night or more: there's a campsite, standard and deluxe rooms, as well as comfortable cottages and villas. It's not the height of luxury, but it's nice for a day out!