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Philippine Tourist Spots

Tourist Spots in Manila

Rizal Park or Luneta

Rizal park is located at the northern end of Roxas Boulevard and overlooking Manila bay. Formerly called as Luneta it has been a site to some of the most significant moments in Philippine history. It was where national hero, Jose Rizal was executed, and so as fathers Gomez, Burgos, and Zamora. It is also where Philippine independence from the Americans was declared. Aside from the Rizal shrine famous attractions within the park are the chinese and japanese garden, Philippine National Library, the Orchidarium and Butterfly pavilion, a giant Philippine map, and a diorama of Rizal’s martyrdom. 

Intramuros

Just beside Luneta is Intramuros or the Walled City. During the Spanish sovereignty threats of invasion from other nations prompted the construction of defenses consisting of high stone wall, bulwarks, and moats. The walls stretched to 4.5 kilometers in length, enclosing a pentagonal area of approximately 64 hectares. Within the walls are residences, churches, 6alaces,, schools, and government buildings. There are colorful horse-drawn calesas or carts reminiscent of the Spanish time that bring tourists around the restored walls and stop at each historic spot. The calesa drivers are also expert tourist guides.

Fort Santiago

Fort Santiago is a defense fortress that is part of Intramuros. It is where Jose Rizal was imprisoned before he was executed. Metallic footsteps can be seen today from the prison cell of Rizal in Fort Santiago to Luneta to mark where the hero was said to have walked during that fateful morning. Fort Santiago also features dungeons, cells, ruins, and a museum for Rizal, among many others.

 Quiapo Church

Every year thousands of devotees flock to Quiapo church to see the Black Nazarene, a much venerated statue of Jesus Christ. It is fficially known as Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene. Located in plaza Miranda, Quiapo, Manila,  it is one of the most popular churches of the country.

 Manila Zoo

With the right mix of education and entertainment purposes, Manila Zoo will appeal to both children and adults. Located at Adriatic St. Manila, the zoo has a land area of 5.5 hectares and has a current population of about 500 animals. Manila Zoo also houses several endemic and indigenous species of animals like the bearcat, long-talied macaques and crocodiles. It also has a kinder zoo where children can pet animals.

Manila Ocean Park

The Manila Ocean Park is an oceanarium located behind Quirino Grandstand at Rizal Park. It is the largest aquarium facility in the Philippines. Inside you can find a variety of marine creatures such as sharks, rays, and other fishes that is found in the Philippine waters. The main attraction of the park is the 25 meter long walkway tunnel with 220 degree curve acrylic walls. It is such a great experience to walk by that tunnel and just seal all the fishes swimming around you.

Top Tourist Spots in the Philippines:

Natural Wonders

1.  Puerto Princesa Subterranean River

Declared as one of the United Nation’s World Heritage sites, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park features a spectacular limestone karst landscape with an underground river. The river’s distinguishing features is that it emerges winds through a cave before flowing directly into the South China Sea. Major formations of stalactites and stalagmites, and several large chambers are also a highlights in the river. The stalactites and stalagmites formation resembles amazing images shapes like “banana blossom”,”bell pepper”, “corn”, “mushroom”, and the “nativity”.The area also represents a significant habitat for biodiversity conservation. The site contains a full ‘mountain-to-sea’ ecosystem and has some of the most important forests in Asia.

2. Banaue Rice Terraces

Considered to be the 8th wonder of the world, the Banaue Rice Terraces are 2,000-3,000 year old terraces that were carved from the hillside by the tribes people of Ifugao. The tribes people did this with their bare hands to level the steps where they plant their rice, which is what makes this wonder so attractive, aside from the fact that the rice terraces are still used today. The rice terraces are likestepping stones stretching towards the sky, where some of them reach almost 5,000 feet in altitude and cover about 4,000 square miles of land.

This is considered to be one of the greatest engineering feats of mankind, because if each one were connected end to end, then they would reach halfway across the globe or be 10 times as long as the Great Wall of China. On 1995 the Banaue Rice Terraces were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

3. Chocolate Hills

Spread over the municipalities of Carmen, Sagbayan and Batuan, the Chocolate Hills is Bohol’s signature attraction. It consists of approximately 1,268 cone shaped hills with heights ranging from 40 to 120 meters. Formed centuries ago by tidal movements, the hills are considered as a National Geologic Movement. During the dry season, the grass covering the hills dry up and the brown earth is exposed, transforming the area into seemingly endless rows of chocolate Hershey’s “kisses”

4. Taal Volcano

Reputed to be the world’s smallest active volcano, it is a volcanic island at the middle of a lake in the Southern Tagalog province of Batangas. Inside the volcano is the Crater Lake, and inside this lake is yet another volcanic island called Vulcan Point. A magnificent view of Taal Lake and volcano can be seen from the nearby Tagaytay highlands. Visitors need a boat ride from the shores of the big lake to get to the volcano, and horses are available for rent to explore the island.

5. Hundred Islands 

The Hundred Islands are a group of 124 islands scattered along Lingayen Gulf covering an area of 4,557 acres in the northern Philippine province of Pangasinan. They are believed to be about two million years old. Only three of them have been developed for tourists: Governor Island, Quezon Island, and Children’s Island. The islands are actually ancient corals that extend well inland, in an area previously comprising the seabed of an ancient sea

6. Tubbataha Reef

Measuring 99,600 hectares in size, the Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park is made up of 2 atolls rising in the middle of the Sulu Sea. A Study by Conservation International has confirmed what Scientists long theorized, that it is the nursery for fish and coral larvae that populates the Sulu-Sulawesi Triangle – an area that not only covers the most important and productive fishing grounds of the Philippines but extends as far south as Malaysia and Indonesia. So important is this submerged structure in the balance of the underwater eco- system that UNESCO declared it a world heritage site as far back as 1993.

7. Pagsanjan Falls

Considered as the Philippines most popular waterfalls, it is situated in the rugged highlands of Cavinti in the Tagalog province of Laguna. The base of the Pansanjan falls is a natural pool, allowing great swimming and diving. There are some caves to explore around the area which are known for their acoustics. Behind the waterfalls there is also a small cave which you can enter. To reach the waterfalls, visitors ride upstream on bancas (local canoes) handled by skillful boatmen. Many smaller waterfalls are visible on the way to the main falls especially during the rainy weather. The ride downhill is a swift one where visitors get to shoot 14 roaring rapids in less than an hour.

8. Mayon Volcano

Famous for its almost perfect conical shape, Mayon Volcano is one of philippine’s top tourist destination. Even with the fact that it is the most active volcano in the country does not stop tourist from taking a glimpse on this majestic volcano. Towering 2,462 meters above sea level with a jagged crater, the Mayon Volcano have unleashed its power and fury in almost 50 recorded eruptions since 1616. Its volcanic activity is regularly monitored by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology at their provincial headquarters.

Sources: http://philippinetouristspots.net/

http://www.wowphilippines.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&layout=blog&id=2&Itemid=30
http://visitpinas.com/