Exploring the best spots in PH’s Summer Capital

After such a busy holiday season, many of us are raring to escape the city to rest and recharge. One top-of-mind destination is Baguio City, with its crisp mountain air, delectable fare and places to explore.

Inquirer Property lists down some spots you might want to include in your itinerary when you drive to the Summer Capital of the Philippines.

BenCab Museum

A 15-minute drive from the center of Baguio City, the BenCab Museum is an absolute must-visit. Established by National Artist Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera after whom the museum is named, the four-story building houses several galleries that showcase his works, Cordilleran indigenous art, as well as those of other local artists.

The BenCab Farm and Garden, which demonstrates Ifugao, Kalinga and Bontoc architecture, surrounds the museum. Overlooking the forest and duck pond is Café Sabel, where visitors can enjoy dishes made with fresh produce from the garden. Don’t forget to savor a cup of BenCab’s brew, the cafe’s signature blend made from coffee beans sourced from the farm.

BenCab Museum is located on Km. 6 Asin Road, Tuba, Benguet. Visit www.bencabmuseum.org for information on museum hours, admission fees and visitor guidelines.

Bamboo Eco Park

If a visit to Japan’s famous Arashiyama Bamboo Grove in Kyoto has been on your travel bucket list, you’d definitely want to swing by Baguio’s Kawayanan or Bamboo Eco Park. The nature sanctuary features a walking trail that is lush with various species of bamboo, considered to be the world’s fastest growing plant.

The eco park, located at the St. Francis Xavier Seminary in Pacdal Litteng, is open only on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There is no entrance fee but visitors are encouraged to donate whatever amount they can. The place is pet friendly so you do not have to worry about visiting with your fur babies.

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Mirador Heritage and Eco Park

Sitting on Mirador Hill is the Mirador Heritage and Eco Park. This sprawling 5-ha parkland is nestled within the Mirador Jesuit Villa where the famed Lourdes Grotto also lies.

Here, you can go through an invigorating forest bath at the bamboo grove and explore the rock garden’s different natural stone formations. Further up is the Peace Memorial, where a torii gate with bell stands. It is said that the bell was fashioned from an unexploded bomb that was dropped on Mirador Hill during World War II. Today, the Japanese symbols are meant to stand for peace and reconciliation.

Mirador Heritage and Eco Park is open every day from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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Igorot Stone Kingdom

Soak up some local culture at Igorot Stone Kingdom, a 6,000-sqm park built to portray the values, traditions and way of life of the people of the Cordillera. Among the park’s main attractions is a tower that illustrates the lore of Gatan and Bangan; a fertility stone tower; and a tower of the Igorot god, Kabunyan.

Igorot Stone Kingdom, located along Long-long Road, Pinsao Proper Village, is a showcase as well of the locals’ rock-laying skills and the Igorot ingenuity in creating stone walls similar to the rice terraces in Banaue.

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Easter Weaving Room

Our Cordillera weavers create some of the finest and most exceptional textiles. See them in action at Easter Weaving Room, one of Baguio’s oldest weaving centers located at 2 2600 Easter Road, Guisad.

Aside from allowing visitors to watch how traditional handwoven fabrics are made, Easter Weaving Room also offers these textiles for you to take home, as well as other handicrafts such as wood carvings, rattan and paper baskets or bags, artworks by local artists and local delicacies.

Sources: Inquirer Archives, Baguio City Guide (baguiocityguide.com), BenCab Museum, Mirador Jesuit Villa (miradorjesuitvilla.com), Philippine News Agency, Easter Weaving Room (easterweavinginc.com)