Top 10 Things to See in the Philippines

Philippines has seen a steady growth in the number of Indian tourists traveling into the country over the years. The Department of Tourism is confident that this trend will continue as they improve on their aggressive marketing campaigns to attract more tourists from all over the world.

For Indian travelers, the visa application is difficult because it is offline and so whoever wishes to apply for a Philippine visa needs to download the form and submit it to the nearest embassy or consulate along with the required documents. Visa-on-arrival is only available to Indians who hold valid visas for countries like USA, Schengen countries, Australia, Japan and the UK.

This country of more than 7600 islands offers discerning travelers numerous opportunities that are both unique and enriching. Whether you travel for business or for leisure, you will always find something interesting in the country. Here are the 10 must-see places in the Philippines.

1. Bohol – This laidback province is packed with natural historic sites, tiny primates and thousands of hills that look like giant chocolate chips during dry season. Bohol is an all-in-one travel destination because it has everything a traveler is looking for. From beaches to mountains and rivers, Bohol has got you covered.

Don’t forget to try the province’s delicacy, peanut kisses, which is very similar to Hershey’s kisses with a delicious peanut flavor and a distinct shape of its famous chocolate hills.

2. Cebu – Cebu is the queen city of the south and it is very adjacent to Bohol. You can easily combine Cebu and Bohol tours which is perfect for a short vacation.You can fly directly to Cebu and then go to Bohol by ferry which will save you a lot of time and money as no additional flights are necessary. Here, you will find the best roasted pig belly in the country. Lechon and Liempo are two most popular delicacies and are sold anywhere in the country. Cebu is also home to the most colorful festival. Every year millions of tourists from all over the world come to Cebu to witness and partake in the Sinulog festival held on the 3rd Sunday of January.

3. Pampanga – The culinary capital of the Philippines, Pampanga offers numerous gastronomic options for foodies around the globe. Here, you can sample the best sisig (a sizzling local dish made of parts of the pig head and liver seasoned with chili, lime and topped with raw egg) in the country.



4. Cordilleras – The cordillera region is rich in history and culture mirrored by the famous Ifugao rice terraces. The climate in this region is much cooler and so this is the perfect place to buy vegetables and fruits like strawberries and cauliflower fresh from the farms. You can also get inked by the oldest tattoo artist in the world who uses nothing but charcoal, stick and a thorn from a lime tree. This experience is truly one of a kind as you will never get it anywhere else. For more adventure, you can hike the mountains and explore the deepest cave in the country while the ancient coffins hang above your head.

5. Bicol – Another all-in-one travel destination, Bicol is home to the most beautifully-shaped and most active volcano in the country. Apart from its beaches and geological landforms, Bicol is also popular for its spicy foods. As the chili capital of the country, most dishes in Bicol are spiced with chilies and have varying degrees of hotness. Laing and Bicol express are some of the local delicacies that you must not miss.

6. Ilocos Region – Home to one of the New 7 Wonder Cities of the world, Ilocos Region houses Vigan City which is the most extensive and the only surviving historic city that dates back to the 16th century of Spanish Colonial period. When you step inside Vigan city, you will be taken into a different time where horse-drawn carriage was still the form of transport. Cobbled stones and old Spanish houses adorn the streets and local antique furniture is everywhere. Here, you must sample the famous Vigan longganisa (local garlic sausage), empanada, pinakbet (mixed vegetable dish), bagnet (deep-fried crispy pork belly) and Igado (an Ilokano dish made with pork tenderloin and innards with green peas and paprika).



7. Palawan – Apart from the scenic natural wonders of Palawan, it is also famous for its local delicacies and rich culture. Palawan has the best danggit (sun-dried and salted rabbitfish), crocodile sisig, and the exotic tamilok (a kind of woodworm mollusk ceviche served with chili and vinegar). There are also numerous karst limestone cliffs protruding from the waters, Japanese shipwrecks for diving and plenty of secret beaches to explore.



8. Manila – Contrary to what most people would like to believe, the country’s capital is teeming with character, culture and color. When you venture away from the city center, you will find Intramuros – the old walled city in the heart of Manila with all the preserved historical sites. Manila is also home to the oldest and biggest Chinatown in the world where you can sample numerous authentic Chinese cuisines.

9. Batangas – Just two hours away from the capital, Batangas is a significant part of the country’s history as it is home to some of the most famous and well-respected heroes of the revolution against the Spaniards. Batangas boasts of the biggest Catholic Church in Asia and its people are incredibly religious. Some of the local products that you must try are bulalo (bone marrow soup with corn, potatoes and cabbage), lomi (savory noodle dish), panutsa (sweetened peanut much like the peanut brittle), barako coffee (strong coffee for brewing from Liberica variety and tawilis (a freshwater fish only found in taal lake).

10. Pangasinan – This is not a very popular tourist spot internationally but Pangasinan is a gem on its own. It is where you can find the locally sought-after hundred islands national park - a place you can very easily tour on your own. Only 6 of these islands can be explored though. Pangasinan is the milkfish capital of the country and here you can join the Bangus Festival known for the longest barbecue grill event in the world. It was previously featured in Guinness book of world records and they also have more than a thousand ways of cooking their favorite fish – the milkfish.

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Top 5 Favorite Activities in the Philippines

The archipelago of Philippines owing to its volcanic nature and tropical location is home to so many gorgeous sights and rich adventurous experiences. While most of the tourists to the Philippines head to Manila for its night life and shopping malls, to Boracay and nearby islands for its beach parties, white sandy beaches and emerald waters, to Bohol for its chocolate and green hills and to Cebu for a larger island experience, I prefer a slightly different trail in the Philippines. My favorite 3 islands in the Philippines are Luzon, Palawan and Mindanao, but as Mindanao is not considered very safe, I am listing below my top 5 favorite things to do from the islands of Luzon and Palawan.

1) Hiking in the Rice Terraces of Banaue



A fantastic tropical atmosphere, dense greenery, misty mountains, cooler climes, tribal culture and lots of hidden beauties…that is Banaue for you. This is one of my favorite places to hike in the Philippines. I absolutely love hiking over the rice terraces from village to village, coming in close contact with the local people, understanding the Ifugao traditions and seeing a natural wonder up close. And the rice wine here is something special and a perfect way to relax after a long hike in the mountains.

2) Exploring the world’s longest underground river at Sabang



It is believed that millions of years ago, the island of Palawan was connected to Borneo and hence the nature, flora and fauna bear more similarities to Borneo than to the rest of the Philippines. A fairly under-developed part of the country, Palawan has many special attractions. One of its more famous ones is the Puerto Princesa underground river, which has been classified as one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Located near Sabang, this river is the world’s largest underground river and offers everything from an awesome cave experience, rich jungle experience, fantastic birdlife, a remote beach and the absolute awe of one of mother nature’s special creations.

3) Island Hopping off El Nido



Located in the northern part of the Palawan island, El Nido is a perfect destination for off-beat adventure. Dirt biking, mountain biking, jungle trekking, ATV rides, remote waterfall hikes, island hopping, cave diving and so much more is on offer here. While Nacpan beach, Duli beach and Dagmay beach are three remote pristine beaches located in this region, the highlight of an El Nido experience is its island hopping. Located a short boat ride away from El Nido are stunning limestone karsts, blue lagoons, underground cave systems, blow holes, remote beaches with nothing but a green mountain around it and basically things that all adventure lovers and water babies will drool over.Snorkeling, Scuba diving, discovering underground caves, fishing, eating the fresh catch, climbing misty mountain tops on these remote islands and lots of swimming are on the menu here. While the days are loaded with activities and things to do, EL Nido nights are more laidback parties with great food and alcohol. They are the more subdued version of the Boracay parties.

4) Tropical Trekking near Batad



The stone walled rice terraces of Batad are like the eighth wonder of the world for me. While most travelers see these rice terraces and then leave, the best option is to stay here for a longer while as this region has so many rich tropical sights that will blow your mind away. You have tropical treks, green horse shoe bends, mighty waterfalls in the middle of dense green mountains, misty mountain top trekking trails and many other jungle trails for all kinds of hikers. And to top it all, the countryside experience is way more different than the rest of the more touristy places. The locals here are real friendly, but they take some time to warm up to strangers, so it might be prudent to spend some time here for a thorough experience.

5) Scuba Diving off Coron Island



Located north of Palawan Island, Coron island is known for its colorful coral reefs and rich marine life. One of the underwater biodiversity hotspots of the Philippines, scuba diving enthusiasts and researchers used to frequent this island many years back. Today, more mainstream scuba diving organizations are present to enable regular travelers to experience this rich underwater beauty. Be it wreck diving (from the world war days), cave diving (this is a specialty here), coral reef diving or lake diving, this place has all the secret ingredients to blow the minds of even the most accomplished of scuba divers.

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Top Things to do in Philippines

Considered as one of the most awe inspiring places in the world, Philippines is more than just an island with beautiful beaches. On my trip to one of the cheapest holiday destinations in the world, every penny I spent in Philippines during my Philippines Holidays was worth the time spent there. With the perfect and the most beautiful beaches, awesome local food and the friendliest people, this country is gradually cementing its place in the chart of the most preferred holiday destinations in the world. If you are looking for reasons that help you know more about how to spend your holiday in Philippines, my experience through this article will tell you a few of the hundreds of things that can be done there.

Friendly locale

The people in Asia are considered to more friendly and compassionate in comparison to the locales in other countries. Due to this, the hospitality of Philippines is something that you would love. Since the people here are very friendly and curious you would not face any problems related to security or ill-treatment.

Beautiful beaches

The beaches in Philippines are more than just beaches. When you spend some time there, you feel that it is nothing less than a paradise. Philippines have around 7000 islands and the natural beauty here will leave you astonished. For instance, the white beach in boracay belongs to the category of the top ten beaches n the world. With this fact, you can realize the beauty of the country. With crystal like white sand and the clear waters every beach will look like a dream come true.

Handicraft shopping
For all those people and specially the ladies who feel that a holiday is incomplete without shopping; you should consider visiting Philippines once. The giant shopping stores and malls in manila will leave you a lot of room for shopping for your favorite products and brands. Apart from the malls, the country is also famous for its street markets and handicraft markets as well. Depending upon your budget and choice, you can get a lot of things that you would simply love.

Safari and deserted islands

If you love nature and have a special inclination towards the flora and fauna, you would love Philippines. The widest and the most diverse range of birds, sea creatures and plants, Philippines are a proud country to be known as the home of to a lot of distinct species. Going scuba diving, watching and playing with the white whales and sharks and visiting safari and deserted islands will make you realize that your holiday will give you memories for the entire life.

Finger licking food
The local food and the drinks of the Philippines are very famous. Your holiday here will be incomplete if you don’t try the local food served by the most authentic restaurants. The rice terraces, the underground rives, funky, bumpy and unique modes of transportation are some of the other things that you surely should go for.

Well, the list won’t end as there is so much that Philippines has to offer to all the visitors. It is an assurance that once you visit the country, you will thrive to visit the country yet again just like I would be doing. Maybe this is the time to book your Holiday as well!!

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Temple-Hopping in Southeast Asia

The wealth of beautiful sights and fascinating histories supplied by the temples of Southeast Asia will be enough to dazzle even the most seasoned traveler. No expense or time was spared in creating these monuments to spiritual belief, and their tremendous variety means there’s always something new to discover. 

Traveling in Southeast Asia
     

Most Southeast Asian countries are very welcoming to Western visitors and, because prices are low, they are a popular choice with backpackers. Many people choose to start in Pattaya, Thailand, where there are plenty of low-cost places to stay, and where the friendly locals guarantee a warm welcome. Once the journey starts in earnest, long-distance buses make it easy to travel between tourist sights, though some people prefer to hitch and get to know the locals, while others opt to cycle or ride motor scooters. While this article looks at some of the most spectacular places to visit, there are many smaller ones, including local village shrines dating back millennia.

When visiting temples, it’s important to note that many remain active places of worship, of deep importance to local people. One should normally remove one’s shoes before entering and make sure upper arms are covered, and women should be careful not to make physical contact with monks, even brushing past them, as this can be seen to compromise the monks’ religious purity.

Angkor Wat, Cambodia
     
 

Probably the most famous temple complex in the region, Angkor Wat is built on ruins thought by some to be as much as 13,000 years old, one of the oldest manmade structures in the world. It was significantly extended in the 12^th century on the orders of King Suryavarman II and is the largest religious monument anywhere in the world, so it can take days to explore it all. Although it may not feature the gold or bright colors of other temples in the region, its distinctive Khmer architecture has majesty of its own, looking particularly impressive at dawn and dusk.

Batu Caves, Malaysia
Hewn out of a limestone hill just north of Kuala Lumpur, these remarkable cave temples are really something different. They’re presided over by a towering golden statue of the war god Murugan (an avatar of Kartikeya) and entered via an equally towering set of steps. Inside, the immense caverns house a temple devoted to the monkey god Hanuman, and the Ramayana Cave has murals depicting the story of Rama. The best time to visit is during the festival of Thaipusam in late January or early February (heralded by the full moon), when local Tamils celebrate Murugan’s vanquishing of the demon Soorapadman.

Pura Luhur Uluwatu, Bali


Perched on a precipice above the breaking surf, Pura Luhur Uluwatu is visible for miles around. It was built in the 11^th century, along with eight other temples, to protect Bali from evil spirits. The coral walls of its interior are covered in animal carvings (with both real and mythical beasts), and the Hindu people who worship there show respect for the local wild animals by bringing them food. Visitors are often invited to feed the monkeys. At sunset, people gather to watch the traditional Kecak dance in the temple grounds.

Shwedagon Pagoda, Myanmar
     
 

Dominating Yangon, the golden stupa of Shwedagon Pagoda, set atop Singuttara Hill, is an awesome sight and is surrounded by porticos of gold and white, each with its own elegant spire. It incorporates 90 tons of gold in all, plus a spectacular diamond. Inside, it’s just as magnificent, with many small but elaborate shrines and smiling Buddha statues, and it houses sacred relics of the Buddhas. At 2,600 years old, it is thought to be the oldest surviving pagoda in the world.

Wat Arun, Thailand


The magnificent stepped pyramid of Wat Arun (also known as the Temple of Dawn) is covered in intricate carvings and surrounded by several galleries from which one can look down to the Chao Phraya river below. Brightly-colored porcelain tiles line its many roofs and prang (spires) and look dazzling in the sunlight. Its central Buddha, in the ordination hall, was created by King Rama II and guards his ashes. Below, six Chinese-style green granite pavilions welcome visitors who have crossed the water while, above, the seven-pronged Trident of Shiva pierces the sky.

Văn Miếu, Vietnam
     
 

Also known as the Temple of Literature, this Confucian shrine remains an island of peace in modern Hanoi, its five courtyards are the perfect place to rest or simply to gaze in wonder. Less elaborate than the other temples listed here, it is no less impressive thanks to its elegant design, with red brick roofs curving like wings and long, low walls perfectly complemented by the surrounding foliage. It was built in 1070 to replicate the birthplace of Confucius, the Qufu temple in Shandong, China, and over the centuries it has served as a university for the religious and social elite. The best time to visit is at Tết, Vietnamese New Year (in late January or early February), when it fills up with calligraphers writing wishes as beautiful works of art.

Miagao Church, Philippines



This elaborate Baroque church, now listed as a World Heritage Site, represents the collision of Christian architecture in one of its most dramatic forms with the very different but equally magnificent traditions of Filipino art. Also known as Santo Tomas de Villanueva Parish Church and as the Fortress Church (since it was used to defend the town against Muslim raids), it was built in 1787 and has since survived full scale war, earthquakes and a massive fire. Inside is a gold-plated sanctuary that recalls the Buddhist and Hindu temples of the region.

Wat Rong Khun, Thailand


Looking like an elaborate snowflake, Wat Rong Khun is a modern structure very much in keeping with the spectacular tradition of temples in the region. It is almost entirely built of mirror glass and it sparkles a dazzling white, topped with intricate structures that give it an ethereal quality. It is entered via a bridge over a gleaming lake. Designed by the esteemed painter Chalermchai Kositpipat in 1997, it is dedicated to the Buddha but draws inspiration from a wide range of sources, with interior murals depicting Batman, Superman and scenes from the Predator movies.

Wherever you choose to go, there is no shortage of beautiful temples to discover in Southeast Asia, and visiting them will give you fresh insight into the dynasties and empires that have shaped this remarkable part of the world.

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Travel Photo: Beautiful San Agustin Church from Intramuros, Manila

The Intramuros area on the outskirts of Manila is such a far cry from this bustling Asian metropolis. There are no loud jeepneys or typical mad crowds of Manila. Instead there are pedi cabs, lesser vehicles and lesser people. This is the UNESCO World heritage area of Manila and is home to some stunning structures from the colonial era. It is home to the largest church of Philippines, the oldest church, a large river side fort, a very scenic golf course and a historic museum.


One of the top sights in this area is the San Agustin church, the oldest church of Philippines and a stunningly well decorated church. Its prayer hall, its inner chambers, its paintings, wood work and much more are worth admiring. The frescoes on the ceiling of this old church is a sight to remember. Have you visited this side of Manila?

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