Nestled 5,000 ft. above sea level atop the Grand Cordillera Mountain Range is Baguio City, the highest city in the Philippines. Located in the heart of Benguet Province, it enjoys political autonomy being a chartered city since 1909.

The city enjoys a climate that is typically cooler by about 10 degrees centigrade or more than the lowland temperature. The average temperature is 16 - 24 degrees centigrade (60 - 75 degrees Fahrenheit). The city has an area of 57.49 square kilometers. It is accessible by air for 45 minutes and by land for 5-6 hours from Manila. 

Today, the city is  home for some 252,386 (as of May 2000) individuals from all walks of life. This indicates a 10.19% increase over its actually recorded population of 226,883 persons in 1995. As an international melting pot, the city caters to a population that is highly diversified in culture, religion, race and creed. Iloco is the dominant vernacular, although English remains as the medium of instruction in most cities. 

Baguio today, is a city teeming with the bustle of urban life. Despite the complexities of rapid population growth and environmental change, it continues to live up to its name as the "Education Center of the North", "The Garden City", the "Summer Capital of the Philippines" and the "Regional Administrative Center of the Cordilleras." It still holds the honor as the "City of Pines", and lately as the pioneer Hall of Fame Awardee as the "Cleanest and Greenest City" among Highly Urbanized Cities nationwide. 

Attractions

Burnham Park

Burnham Park is centered on a man-made lake located at the heart of the city. The park is a favorite place of local residents and visitors alike. There are different facilities for recreation and relaxation that are found within the park like tennis and basketball courts, restaurants, outdoor kiosks, a children's playground, and an orchidarium.

You can have a boatride, a picnic, watch a concert, a football game, bike, or just take a leisurely stroll around the park.

Rizal Park 

Between Burnham Park and the City Hall of Baguio is a rectangular piece of city property known as Rizal Park. The park was erected in honor of Dr. Jose P. Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines and is similar to numerous other parks that are found in towns and cities all over the Philippines, which are also named in his honor.  It is on this site that the annual celebration honoring Rizal every 30th of December is held.

Mines View 

There is no doubt that the Mines View Park is one of the most popular and most visited parks in the city. From the observation deck of the park a breathtaking panoramic view of Benguet's gold and copper mines and the surrounding mountains unfold before you. It is a spectacular sight to behold and should not be missed when visiting Baguio.

 The park is usually the next stop taken by most visitors after seeing the Mansion or Wright Park. To reach the observation deck, you need to go down a winding stone-covered stairway, which is just close to the parking area.

The Mansion Park

A long stairway leads to the "Pool of the Pines", a 100 meter long pool of water lined on both sides by the famous Baguio towering pine. Native handicrafts are also sold at the Mansion end of the park by a few Igorot peddlers 

The imposing and majestic Baguio Mansion House has housed a long list of Filipino presidents and American governor-generals. It has an elegantly structured building and guesthouse. Its gate is patterned after that of London's Buckingham Palace.

Botanical Garden

Also known as the Igorot Village, the Botanical Garden features native huts typical of the type of Igorot dwellings found in the Cordilleras. The village is said to capture the ethnic spirit and cultural legacy of the Igorots. Being tranquil and quiet, it is a place where one can just sit down and relax, take a leisurely stroll along its narrow and winding pathways and also enjoy the landscape.

 

Good Shepherd Convent 

The store is popularly known for the different products made by the Good Shepherd nuns. Visitors coming up to the city who are familiar with items sold in the store always make it a point to buy something to take back home. Among the popular items are fruit preserves, strawberry and ube jams, cashew and peanut brittle, and coco jam. Most of their products are also sold in different stalls in the Baguio Public Market and in various other outlets within the city.

The money generated from the sale of their products is used for the different charities sponsored by the Good Shepherd nuns and also for the maintenance and upkeep of the convent.

Aguinaldo Museum

The larger-than-life size statue of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo and the museum beside it is an interesting Baguio landmark, which could be found at the upper end of Gen. Luna Road in a vicinity referred to by local residents as Jungletown.

The museum was erected to house personal memorabilia of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo which include the different uniforms and barong tagalogs he once wore, his photographs and those of his family, a work desk, and the wheelchair which he used when he was confined at the Veterans Memorial Hospital. Also on display is a three-dimensional miniature scene depicting his inauguration as president and a replica of the Philippine flag, which was originally designed by the general with revolutionary words, embroidered on it

The Baguio Cathedral

 

This is one of the most familiar landmarks in Baguio. The structure with its twin spires and one hundred steps sits on top of a small hill in the heart of the city, offering churchgoers and visitors a chance to get a bird's eye view of the entire commercial hub.

The Bell Church

This cluster of temples is located on the border of Baguio City and Trinidad Valley. Its exotic oriental architecture features pagoda roofs, an ornate gateway, dragon ornaments and Buddha guarded windows that gaze from atop a hill.

 The Bell Temple priest practices a mixture of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and Christianity. One may even try having his fortune read. 

Lourdes Grotto

This is a religious shrine housing the image of the Lady of Lourdes. About 252 steps lead to this shrine where pilgrims brave the steep climb to offer sacrifices, devotion and prayers. One is also regarded with a beautiful panoramic view of the city.

Dominican Hill

When it was still accessible and opened to the public, Dominican Hill was usually the next stop for visitors who go to the Lourdes Grotto since it was just nearby. The hill was well visited not only by local and foreign tourists but also by the residents of Baguio because of the panoramic view it provided of the city. The view from the hill is without doubt breathtaking and about the best there is to see and experience.

Tamawan Village

The Tam-Awan Village is found in the northwestern part of the city. There are a number of Igorot huts within the village, which will allow you to see how the homes of the mountain people really look like. You do get a chance to climb up the wooden ladder and see what is inside each hut.

 This will give you a chance to feel what it is like to be living in one of these huts. Since these huts were set up on different locations on a hillside, visitors have to climb up the steep pathways to go from one hut to another. One will surely find a need to rest at each hut just to catch his breath before climbing further up. 

The Philippine Military Academy

The Philippine Military Academy is the Philippine's premier military institution. True to its mission to "instruct, train, and develop the cadets so that they shall possess the character, the broad and basic military skills, and the education essential to the pursuit of a progressive military career", the PMA,

as it is more popularly known, has honed the best military officers in our country today. It has complete training and educational facilities to mold the future officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Kennon Road

Kennon Road is the shortest and the most scenic highway linking Baguio and the lowlands. This was named after Col. Lyman W. Kennon who was its final builder. The industrious Cordilleras and foreign workers assisted him. The road was substantially finished in 1903.

Lion?s Head Park

The Lion's Head Park along Kennon Road is the undisputed landmark that is synonymous to Baguio City. It is commonly said that a trip to Baguio City would not be complete without taking home a souvenir photograph with the famous lion head, which serves as the backdrop on Kennon Road. Lions Club members of Baguio City thought of creating a symbol that would proclaim the presence of the group in this mountain resort city.

Mount Sto. Tomas 

A trek up to the Mount Sto. Tomas is a hikers' delight. The peak is 7, 500 feet high and commands a majestic view of mountain, sea and valley. The mountain can be reached by foot or by vehicle.

Wood Carvers? Village

Along the way to Asin, about 5 kms from the city, is an Ifugao woodcarving village, which sells beautiful carved curio items at very low prices.

Asin Hot Spring

This Resort is located16 kilometers northwest of Baguio. The resort's main feature is a swimming pool surrounded by thermal springs, vegetation and several hanging bridges. It is an ideal respite for travelers.