Baguio Tourist Spots

This post is an update of our Baguio Tourist Spots series, where we explored tourist spots in this popular destination. Our journey began in Pasay, Manila, at 11:45 PM, taking a deluxe non-stop bus for 750 pesos. I must say, the bus was comfortable and even had its own restroom. We arrived in Baguio around 5:00 AM, and after selecting our hotel, we opted to rent a van for 2500 pesos to get around all the attractions. A tip for future travelers: Group trips can be more budget-friendly. Here, you’ll find photos and information about the places we visited during this fantastic Baguio tour. Stay tuned for our next adventure, the Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3, in CDO!

 

Philippine Military Academy

Philippine Military Academy (PMA) – For the past 100 years, the officer training school of the Armed Forces in the Philippines has made Baguio City its home. The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) boasts a long and illustrious history of preparing only the best Filipino men (and, in recent times, women) for military service.

Located at Fort Gregorio del Pilar on Loakan Road, visitors to the City of Pines are welcome to explore the grounds, view the cadets doing their drills, view the PMA museum, and see vintage tanks and other historical military weapons.

Trivia – The Philippine Military Academy began on October 25, 1898, with the establishment of the Academia Militar in Malolos, Bulacan by virtue of a decree issued by the first president of the young Philippine Republic, General Emilio Aguinaldo. Graduates were awarded regular commission in the armed forces. Its existence was short-lived, up to 20 January 1899, when hostilities between the Americans and Filipinos erupted.

Places To Visits

Burnham Park Burnham Park – is the very heart of Baguio City in the Philippines. It is located at the most valuable piece of Baguio real estate and is free for the enjoyment of visitors and residents alike. The ‘mother of all parks’ in the Summer Capital of the Philippines, all other developments like the main shopping area Session Road, City Hall, Baguio Cathedral, and the Baguio City Market were built around it.

Kennon Road

Kennon Road was for a whole century, the most popular access to Baguio City, Philippines. There has been no other road that has meant so much happiness for many travelers, who know that cool, cool weather lies just about 45 minutes away. Kennon Road was built to connect Kafagway, later on chartered as Baguio City, to the lowlands. According to Filipino architect, Filipino author, and Baguio native Ernesto Zarate, his research shows that the Americans started building simultaneously from the top (which is Baguio City) and from the base (in La Union), and found that the two roads would not meet, necessitating a winding road through Bued River Canyon, affectionately referred to as the “Zigzag.”

Lourdes Grotto

The Lourdes Grotto is another Catholic shrine and place of meditation in Baguio. It is located on a high hill in the western part of Baguio City where you will find the image of the Lady of Lourdes. It is a favorite pilgrimage site during Holy Week most especially during Holy Thursday and Good Friday. Access to the top of the grotto could be made by climbing the long steps or by driving up a winding road.

Mines View Park

Is one of the most visited tourist spots in Baguio City. The park has a view where one can have an unobstructed view of Balatok, Antamok, and Atok mines and a spectacular view of the Cordillera mountain range.

 

Sunshine Park

A haven for free minds and bodies. The Eco-tour refreshes the eyes with nature’s feast of flowers. The gallery inspires one’s creativity.

Wright Park

Directly across The Mansion is Wright Park which features the much-photographed Baguio landmark, the “Pool of Pines”. One will see a gazebo and a long flight of stairs down the hill leading to the Wright Park Riding Circle, where hundreds of horses and ponies of various sizes are for hire.

The Mansion

It is located in the eastern part of the city along C.P. Romulo Drive (formerly a part of Leonard Wood Road) and right across from Wright Park. The Mansion is older than the city itself. It is also one of the most visited and photographed landmarks of the City of Pines.

Trivia

Formerly called the Mansion House, this stately building was built in 1908 as a summer home for U.S. Governor-generals. The American administrators for the Philippines were destroyed in 1945 during the battle for the liberation of the Philippines.

The Philippine government later rebuilt and improved the structure in 1947 and since then it has been used by various Philippine presidents whenever they come up to Baguio City for their official visits and engagements.

Hope you enjoy the pictures that I post about this travel that we have. I hope you enjoy the pictures of our Baguio Tourist Spots.