Things to see and do Baguio

Walking down Session Road, the liveliest street in the city center, you come across the public market, which stretches along Magsaysay Avenue. The market is a very popular, huge attraction with multiple, well-stocked sections. You can find everything from beautiful flowers and sampaguitas to cashews, roasted peanuts, jams, strawberries, clothes, tennis shoes, flip-flops. It is full of fresh fruits and vegetables from the farms of La Trinidad and Benguet. A must to feel the pulse of the city!

The Bell Church or Buddhist temple is located to the north, under the aegis of an ecumenical community mixing Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism and Christianity. Chinese priests can make predictions to visitors. There are pagodas, dragons, the traditional koi pond and even a shrine containing the image of Our Lady of Lourdes after climbing another two hundred and fifty-two steps to Lourdes Grotto. It has a beautiful view of the city since it is located at the top of the hill.

One of the most famous parks in the country. Centered on an artificial lagoon, this park is named after the American urban planner Daniel Burnham who designed the city of Baguio. The park, a real green corridor of more than 32 hectares, in the heart of the city, is one of the refuges of the city dwellers who like to meet there to picnic, walk or enjoy the lake. The grounds are also ideal for concerts and the flowered paths attract cyclists and rollerbladers. There are also tennis, soccer and basketball courts, and an orchidarium.

Besides its caves and mummies, Kabayan is also known for being surrounded by four lakes in the middle of pine and oak forests and at the foot of the famous Mount Pulog: Lake Tabeyo, Lake Incolos, Lake Bulalakaw and Lake Datep-Ngapos. Like the village, these lakes are surrounded by mysterious legends that a guide will gladly tell you about. It is possible to make hikes accessible to beginners and from the campsite. In the evening, the starry sky is magnificent.

Completed in 1908, the mansion is the summer residence of Philippine heads of state. The mansion also houses a mini-museum with a wealth of memorabilia and artwork that U.S. Governors General and Presidents have collected over the years. Its elaborate wrought iron gate is inspired by Buckingham Palace in London. The residence is adjacent to Wright Park, where horses can be rented for a ride on the pine-sheltered paths. The place is appreciated for its romantic and peaceful atmosphere and its beautiful gardens.

The Santo Tomas mountain is a potentially still active stratovolcano. It culminates at 2 260 meters of altitude in the province of Benguet. You can reach it by car from Baguio in about 1 hour and the view is already very beautiful. The mountain offers a 15 km hike dotted with caves, some of which were dug by gold, silver and copper miners. The summit offers a magnificent view of the Gulf of Lingayen. Count between 2 hours 30 and 3 hours to reach it. It is necessary to leave at sunrise and accompanied by a guide.

Located in Kabayan, this mountain rises to 2,922 meters above sea level; it is the highest peak in Luzon Island and the second highest in the country, after Mount Apo in Mindanao Province. Pulag means "bald" in the Ibaloi dialect. An annual procession takes place there between February and April. The four-day hike to the summit provides a superb view of the Cagayan River valley, the Sierra Madre and Cordillera ranges, and the Pacific Ocean and China Sea.

This small, unpretentious museum is located in Governor Park. It offers a lively approach to the life of the different tribes of the central Cordillera, the provinces of the mountains. It is full of interesting information (in English, though). Handicrafts (wood carvings, baskets, jewelry, pottery and weaving tools, newspaper articles) are exhibited there. Its architecture is for example inspired by the traditional ifugaos houses with the pyramidal roof and the wooden columns to raise the hut.

This mining site, also known as the Itogon Mines, is one of the tourist attractions that best illustrates the mining world and the cultural heritage of the Itogon of Benguet. The interconnected tunnels are maintained by Benguet Gold Operations, which organizes guided tours of the area. Beware, claustrophobic people will refrain. For the others, it's an interactive tour that allows you to experience mining underground. There is a small train and the guide provides elements of history during the visit.

This is one of the must-see tourist spots in Baguio. Accessible by jeepney or tricycle. The Mine Observation Park is a great scenic spot that offers splendid views of Baguio, the valley, the forests and the mountains. There are a few street vendors on site. Make a wish by tossing a coin into the old mines. The place is especially popular in the late afternoon when the sun colors the landscape.

The town of Kabayan is known for its burial sites that dot the surrounding hills. Knees bent over bodies embedded in hollowed-out tree trunks, the mummies are at least 500 years old and are believed to belong to the Ibaloi group. To reach the caves, you need a guide and a long walk on difficult paths. You can go to the Timbac cave or to the Tinongchol rock. The latter is as high as a three-story house and contains centuries-old mummies in cavities carved in the rock.

Covering 690 hectares of forests and hills, this former U.S. military base has become a recreational center open to the public, with hotels, restaurants, shopping center, a famous golf course, tennis courts, bowling, swimming pool and race track. But also, a butterfly sanctuary, eco-trail in the forest, abseiling, paintball, zip line park... The list is long and gives you an idea of what you can do here, especially with children.

The weaving room of this school built in 1905 by Protestant missionaries, in the north of the city, is the best showcase of the handicrafts of the region. You can see the weaving as it has been practiced by the mountain people for centuries. EWRI is committed to promoting indigenous art, especially Igorot art and weaving. The company also offers other local handicrafts such as wooden sculptures and rattan baskets.

Located 15 minutes from Baguio, this museum exhibits a permanent collection of the national artist Benedicto Cabrera, considered the best-selling artist of his generation of Filipino artists. Paintings by the master, collection of indigenous arts and works by contemporary Filipino artists. A souvenir store, a café and a small forest trail complete the pleasant ensemble. An interesting museum that succeeds in merging art and nature, located in a rather exceptional natural setting, in the heart of the mountains. Will appeal to contemporary art lovers!

Tam-Awan means "viewpoint" in Ilocano. This art village, in addition to being very picturesque itself, does indeed offer beautiful views of the mountains. The village, composed of small huts, promotes local and regional artists. One can participate in workshops, buy the works produced on site by the artists, and even experience sleeping in traditional huts. There is also a charming café that serves traditional Filipino and local dishes such as chicken soup. We recommend it!