The summer capital of the Philippines

Baguio City is a highly urbanized city and is actually located within Benguet province. In the early 1900’s, it was provincial capital. However, since then, the administration has been independent.

Baguio is situated at an altitude of approximately 1,540 meters (5,050 feet). Located in the Luzon tropical pine forests ecoregion, it has become a very popular tourist destination at summer time. Due to its altitude, many people flock there to escape the heat in the lowland areas. As such, it has become known as the “Summer Capital of the Philippines”.

Baguio has also become a thriving center of business, commerce, and education in northern Luzon. It is also the seat of government for the Cordillera Administrative Region (C.A.R.). It is without doubt one of the most important cities in the whole C.A.R.

Baguio festivals and points of interest

One thing worth checking out is the Panagbenga Festival, which is a month-long annual flower festival held every February. The festival includes a variety of activities including street dancing, and a large display of flowers from all over the region, and is well worth a look.

Other points of interest include Burnham Park Lake, Camp John Hay, Façade of Laperal House, The Mansion, Mines View Park, Roman Catholic Diocese of Baguio, Baguio Cathedral, Diplomat Hotel and Teachers Camp.

Baguio is the lone Philippine destination in the 2011 TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice Destinations Awards, Asia category, with the city being among the top 25 destinations in Asia (source: Wikipedia).