A natural attraction is an attraction that has been created by nature. These areas have been given a status to protect their environment and provide facilities so that people who visit can enjoy the sites. Natural attractions are also known as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
Located in Southeast Asia with more than 7,600 islands is the country Philippines, blessed with a refreshing atmosphere and pristine beaches which are resided by many indigenous tribes and hospitable locals.
The geographical features of the Philippines ensure that there are natural attractions wherever you go within the region.
Recognized by UNESCO are some gigantic mountains and rice terraces which are also found in the Philippines. The Philippines pack many exciting natural phenomena which attract so many tourists all over the world in this article we will be seeing some interesting natural sites found in this part of the world.
Table of Contents
10 Natural Tourist Attractions in the Philippines
The natural sites include:
- Chocolate Hills
- The Banaue Rice Terraces
- Mayon Volcano
- Boracay Island
- Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park
- Puerto Princesa Underground River
- Taal Volcano and Taal Lake
- Lake Sebu
- Tinuy-an Falls
- Sumaguing Cave
1. Chocolate Hills
The Chocolate Hills is one of the top tourist attractions in the Philippines which is located in Bohol. They are conical and symmetrical Karst Hills that have been used for corals millions of years back.
According to research, it has been known as the country’s third national geological monument which attracts many tourists around the world. Statistically, more than 1,200 hills spread out across a 50-kilometer square, with each standing at a height between 30 meters and 50 meters (98 to 164 feet).
The name, chocolate hills are a result of the changing color of the plantation with change in season, during the wet season, the hills are covered with green plantations while during the dry season the plantation turns brown.
2. The Banaue Rice Terraces
The Banaue rice terraces are located In the middle of the mountainous region of Nueva Vizcaya Ifugao Province made by many tribes hospitable and accommodating, this stair-liked rice fields were carved from mountain ranges by Ifugao tribes without modern tools have been around over 2,000 years ago.
No tourist mission to the Philippines could be complete without having a spectacular sight of Banaue Rice Terraces. This terrace appears to inform of giant steps approaching the sky.
Today, the locals or indigenous communities continue to maintain the traditional farming practices that their ancestors started; however, more young people are migrating to the urban areas of the Philippines, leaving fewer people to work in the fields.
3. Mayon Volcano
This is the most active volcano in the country located in Tabaco City, Albay, Philippines. By occurrence, the volcano has erupted more than 50 times in the past 400 years (four centuries).
Constantly rising to a height of more than 2,400 meters above sea level, this Volcano is significant for its perfectly symmetrical cone shape, which makes the Volcano a significant phenomenon.
Near the volcano, the government built an interesting natural park that serves as a big tourist attraction where visitors can enjoy several activities such as sightseeing, hiking, climbing, camping, photography, etc. On February 1, 1814, the most destructive eruption of Mayon occurred leaving the nearby towns with volcanic rocks and typhoons.
4. Boracay Island
Boracay Island is a small island found in Malay, Aklan, Philippines. It has a total land mass of 25.32 square kilometers with a population of about 37,802(2020) with the Ati people as the indigenous inhabitants of the region.
This lively and primitive island is made up of a stretching white sand coast with beaches and so many land activities. It is significant for its use as a water sports playground. Where so many beehives of sporting activities such as kite surfing, parasailing, cliff diving, windsurfing, motor biking, scuba diving, and horse riding take place.
5. Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is a must-visit natural tourist destination in the country. The Tubbataha Reef is found in the Sulu Sea, which is located in Cagayancillo, Philippines. And is been guided by a marine sanctuary protecting it as the Tubbataha Reef Natural Marine Park.
The reef is made up of two islands, the North Island and the South Island, separated by a deep channel of approximately 5 miles (8 km) wide.
People usually come here to dive as the site has plenty of diving spots with diverse, rich, and stunning marine life under the water. Also found in the reef is the sharks’ resting spot known as the Shark Airport.
6. Puerto Princesa Underground River
This is a nature lover’s paradise which is Located on the northern coast of the island of Sabang, Palawa. This underground river known as the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River has been said to be one of the most world’s unique natural phenomena.
The subterranean cave system, which is 8.2 kilometers long, flows directly into the South China Sea which can only be explored with a boat and is filled with unspoiled landscapes that are rich in wildlife.
This natural wonder is known as the world’s longest navigable underground river, created millions of years ago and stretches 24 kilometers beneath the mountains. Guided paddle boat tours show intriguing rock formations and fluttering bats.
Inside the cave, you will see waterfalls seeping through the cave walls, 20-million-years-old fossils, and a tiny passage leading to a room full of crystal
7. Taal Volcano and Taal Lake
Taal Volcano is known as the smallest volcano in the world, located in Talisay, Philippines. It was formed as a result of a large eruption between five to one century back. In as much as it is named the world’s smallest volcano, it is also on the list of one of the world’s most dangerous ones and destructive volcanoes.
It has about 40 craters and 40 maars. On the other hand, Taal lake which was formerly known as Bombon Lake is a freshwater caldera lake found in Batangas on the island of Luzon, Philippines.
Inside the Taal volcano is found the Taal lake which is also known as the Vulcan Point. The interesting sight of Taal Lake makes it one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations which is thirty miles from Manila.
8. Lake Sebu
Lake sebu is a natural lake, known as home to the T’boli tribe in the Philippines who believe in food as a Basket given by God, having a population of about 81,221 people. It is located in South Cobato.
This lake serves as one of the most important watersheds in the country, supplying water to the provinces of South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat.
The lake is surrounded by rolling hills and mountains covered with thick rain forest having an area of about 354 hectares with a height of approximately 1000 meters (3,300 feet).
On the South-Eastern watershed of the lake, a bamboo plantation was established by the Philippines government as a means of protecting the landscape.
The lake offers ravishing and abundant landscapes that are lovely to behold, a place worthy to be taken into consideration for a visit during the holiday, this is because of its virgin forests, abundant biodiversity, lush, rich diversities of the culture of the native tribes as well as the kindness and the hospitality of the people.
9. Tinuy-an Falls
This fall is located in Bislig, Surigao del Sur, southern island of Mindanao Philippines, With a height of 55 meters (180 feet) and breadth of 95 meters (312 feet), and has been discovered to be the widest waterfall in the Philippines.
It is a multi-tiered waterfall because it flows in three distinct levels with the fourth tier insignificant out of sight. Which no wonder makes it spectacular, thereby earning the name “Niagara Falls of the Philippines”.
10. Sumaguing Cave
Sumaguing Cave is located at South Road, Sagada, Philippines. It is also known as the Big Cave because of its massive chambers, which make it the largest among all of Sagada’s caves.
It is a popular site for trekking, spelunking, and recreational cave exploration and the most popular tourist attraction in Sagada town.
In the cave, there is a man-made staircase from the roadside that leads to the entrance of the cave. Which makes it more manageable to go down, as the more one look ahead and looks down the easier it is. The Sumaguing cave is about 1 hour and 16 minutes from the town of Sagada.
Conclusion
As a result of the enormous islands and natural phenomenon, the Philippines offer a huge opportunity for vacation ideas and tourism for travelers. Though the encompassing Islands make the country prone to earthquakes and typhoons.
These natural attractions leave the country with enormous natural resources and biodiversity, which helps in the building of the country’s economy due to the presence of visitors around the world.
As statistics show that the country host about eight million tourists annually and has been listed among the top visited countries in the Asian continent alongside China, Thailand, and India.
For most visitors, Philippines holidays include kite surfing, spelunking, volcano hiking, mountaineering, sightseeing, etc.
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Ahamefula Ascension is a Real Estate Consultant, Data Analyst, and Content writer. He is the founder of Hope Ablaze Foundation and a Graduate of Environmental Management in one of the prestigious colleges in the country. He is obsessed with Reading, Research and Writing.