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Introduction
One of the cleanest and greenest cities in the
country, Baguio is made for sightseeing. And for
strolls and boat rides and gentle trots around
the park. And for golf. Kennon Road, completed
in 1905, opened Baguio to tourism. The zigzagging
path previews the scenic highlights of the city.
Along the 32-kilometer highway are the Bridal
Veil and Colorado waterfalls.
Synonymous with Baguio is Burnham Park. Located
in the heart of the city, the park's features
include a man-made lagoon ideal for boat rides,
a skating rink, an athletic field and stadium,
basketball and tennis courts, a biking zone, tree-and-flower
lined promenades, and a plant market.
A popular golfing destination, the city takes
pride in its Baguio Country Club and Camp John
Hay. What used to be the rest-and-recreation base
of American military personnel, the Camp is being
transformed into a world-class resort and is also
Baguio's biggest pine tree conservation area.
Its newly refurbished 18-hole golf course rivals
that of the Country Club which has pretty garden-patched
cottages surrounding its fairways.
Ornate iron gates open to the Mansion House,
the official summer residence of Philippine presidents.
It offers tourists with great photo opportunities
with its rectangular reflecting pool along a tree-lined
walkway. It also houses a museum of presidential
memorabilia. Near the Mansion House is Wright
Park where neophyte riders can trot around an
oval track guided by trainers who lead horses
with a hand-held leash. At the Mines View Park,
tourists can have a panoramic view of the old
mines of Benguet. At the park entrance is a flea
market for souvenir items.
Sitting on top of a hill in Upper Session Road
is the twin-spire Baguio Cathedral, a city landmark.
Another pilgrimage site is the Grotto of Our Lady
of Lourdes which sits on top of Dominican Hill.
Devotees prefer to climb the 252-step ascent than
drive through a winding road to reach the shrine.
Bell Church holds a religious service of mixed
Buddhist, Taoist, Confucian and Christian dogmas
but tourists come here to have their fortunes
told.
Located on an elevated pine-forested ground is
the Philippine Military Academy, the country's
foremost military learning institution. Its Saturday
morning Parade in Review by cadets in full regalia
never fails to attract visitors. Also within campus
is a Military Museum.
A cultural haven established by noted Baguio
artist BenCab, Tam-awan Village recreates a typical
ethnic village in the Cordilleras with authentic
tribal homes uprooted from their original locations
and re-set on similar terrain. There is also an
art gallery-cum-coffee shop.
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