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by dakilanglaaganFebruary 5, 202011:31 amMay 24, 2020

Discover Philippines: UNESCO World Heritage Sites that you can visit!

UNESCO World Heritage Site
Mt. Hamiguitan - Here's what you have to know about this UNESCO World Heritage Site
Mt. Hamiguitan – Here’s what you have to know about this UNESCO World Heritage Site

Did you know that there are actually six UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Philippines? Yes, out of the 1,121 World Heritage Sites scattered around the World, three cultural and three natural sites are found in the country. Aside from these six sites, there are 29 other sites that are also in the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List in the Philippines.

If you are looking for an interesting quest to do around the country (aside from the 81 provinces challenge, top 10 mountains, and best beaches), you might want to try visiting all six UNESCO Heritage Sites and get to know more about the rich historical, cultural, and geographical identity of the Philippines.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Philippines

UNESCO World Heritage Sites are specifically selected spots by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization that have high significance in the world and are legally protected by international treaties. Here are UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Philippines that you should not miss visiting!

Cultural Sites

  1. Baroque Churches of the Philippines (1993)

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Paoay Church | Photo by Pierre Venice Binondo

Churches play a vital role in the history of the Philippines. As the only Catholic nation in Asia, it is but proper for the country to have preserve its baroque churches that were built during the Spanish era and have stood the test of time up until today. In 1993, these churches were identified in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list and are now considered as national treasures for their historical and cultural value. These Baroque Churches include Paoay Church in Ilocos Norte, Santa Maria Church in Ilocos Sur, San Agustin Church in Manila, and Miag-ao Church in Iloilo.

ALSO READ: The Unconventional Trip to Iloilo
  1. Vigan City (1999)

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One of the best-preserved colonial towns in Asia is the City of Vigan in Ilocos Sur. Up until now, the architecture of the town has been maintained from the time of the Spanish colonization in the 16th century. The influence of the Spaniards can be easily observed in the old structures and cobblestone streets of the city; hence, it got its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. At present, it is one of the most popular tourist destination among tourists as it is easily access by bus from Manila.

ALSO READ: Palawan and Ilocos Travel Journal
  1. Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordillera

rice

Another UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Philippines is the Banaue Rice Terraces which has been recognized for its cultural importance in 1995. And while most tour organizers would bring guests at the main viewpoint in Banaue along the highway, there are actually five rice terraces that are included in the UNESCO inscriptons that are located in the province of Ifugao: Nagacadan in Kiangan, Hungduan, Mayoyao, Batad, and Bangaan Rice Terraces.

These rice terraces have been showing the manual method of farming employed the native Ifugaos who lived in the area. According to reports, the rice terraces took 2,000 to complete as these are carved out of the slopes of the mountain ranges of Cordillera.

Natural Sites

  1. Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (1999)

palawan

In 1999, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its natural importance. Often referred as “The Underground River”, the national park is found within a cave that can be accessed by a small boat. It is made of river channels, rock formations, and deep water holes. The Subterranean River has also been recognized as part of the “New Seven Wonders of Nature in 2011”.

READ: Palawan-Ilocos Region Travel Journal
  1. Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary

Mt. Hamiguitan - Here's what you have to know about this UNESCO World Heritage Site
Mt. Hamiguitan – Here’s what you have to know about this UNESCO World Heritage Site

In 2014, Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary made it to the list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites for its natural importance. It has been a home to diverse and endemic flora and fauna species of the country. It is located in Davao Oriental and has been dubbed as the province’s “crowning glory”.

Standing at a height of 1,637 meters above sea level, Mt. Hamiguitan is one of the dream mountain of many hikers as plenty of natural resources can be seen in the rich biodiversity of the mountain range. Aside from being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is also declared as part of the ASEAN Heritage Sites. Hikers who plan to hike this mountain must coordinate in advance with the DENR’s Protected Area Superintendent’s Office in San Isidro, Davao Oriental.

  1. Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park (1993)

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A post shared by little.ocean.mel (@little.ocean.mel)

Ticking the UNESCO World Heritage Site bucketlist remains a dream to many because of the Tubbataha Reefs – the most difficult and expensive site to visit among all six. It is located at the heart of the Sulu Sea near Palawan with an area of 97,030 hectares. The islands found within the area are uninhabited as these serves as breeding place for many marine animals and several species of birds. Tubbataha is the ultimate dream of many divers for its pristine coral reef system.

Through the years of traveling, I have recently realized that the Tubbataha Reef remains the only UNESCO World Heritage Site that I haven’t been to. I hope to get there someday (and to learn to dive as well). Truly, the Philippines is such a beautiful country with amazing cultural and natural destinations to choose from.

Have you been to these places as well? Where have you been to? Share your thoughts and answers down below or thru Facebook and Instagram! See you on trails!


FRIENDLY REMINDER: Always be a Dakila. Be a responsible hiker. Be a responsible traveler. Let’s follow the LEAVE NO TRACE Principles and keep the integrity of creation. Let’s stop the hate; rather, let’s educate. See you on trails!


Also read other Fun Facts about the Philippines here:

  • What are the Top 10 Highest Mountains in the Philippines?

  • Miss hiking? Watch these documentaries about Philippine Mountains

  • Hungry? Here’s Philippine’s Classic STREET FOOD Favorites

  • Philippine’s Most Beautiful Crater Lakes

  • I wish I had more time…

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Tagged with: #dakilanglaagan #travel adventure calle crisologo davao fun fact listicle mt. hamiguitan palawan paoay church philippines rice terraces tubbataha reef underground river unesco unesco philippines unesco world heritage site vigan city

dakilanglaagan

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Hello there! I am Marjorie and welcome to my backpack reflections. Dakilanglaagan contains my thoughts and sentiments about traveling, hiking, and adulting. I'm not really a superb writer, but I write nonetheless. Life is too short to be consumed by other people's comments. Let's pursue what keeps us sane.

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13Comments

Add yours
  1. 1
    edomar on February 5, 2020 at 12:29 pm
    Reply

    Ang ganda ng Pilipinas!

    LikeLiked by 1 person

    • 2
      dakilanglaagan on February 5, 2020 at 12:38 pm
      Reply

      Sobra! 😍😍😍

      LikeLike

      • 3
        edomar on February 5, 2020 at 12:49 pm
        Reply

        Ok nga. Mabuhay!

        LikeLike

  2. 4
    maristravels on February 28, 2020 at 9:12 am
    Reply

    I’ll need a long time in the Philipinnes to cover all these sites.

    LikeLiked by 1 person

    • 5
      dakilanglaagan on February 28, 2020 at 11:14 am
      Reply

      All the more reason for you to come back 😊😊😊

      LikeLike

  3. 6
    I should’ve paid a little more attention to History – Dakilanglaagan on April 25, 2020 at 8:23 pm
    Reply

    […] UNESCO World Heritage Sites that you can visit! […]

    LikeLiked by 1 person

  4. 7
    Can you guess what country has the most number of islands? – Dakilanglaagan on May 24, 2020 at 6:17 pm
    Reply

    […] Discover Philippines: UNESCO World Heritage Sites that you can visit! […]

    LikeLiked by 1 person

  5. 8
    Hungry? Here’s Philippine’s Classic STREET FOOD Favorites – Dakilanglaagan on May 24, 2020 at 6:25 pm
    Reply

    […] Discover Philippines: UNESCO World Heritage Sites that you can visit! […]

    LikeLiked by 1 person

  6. 9
    Philippine’s Most Beautiful Crater Lakes – Dakilanglaagan on May 25, 2020 at 2:34 pm
    Reply

    […] Discover Philippines: UNESCO World Heritage Sites that you can visit! […]

    LikeLiked by 1 person

  7. 10
    Project 81 Provinces: Ilocos Norte Travel Guide – Dakilanglaagan on June 8, 2020 at 11:20 am
    Reply

    […] ALSO READ: Discover Philippines: UNESCO World Heritage Sites that you can visit! […]

    LikeLiked by 1 person

  8. 11
    Project 81 Provinces: Ilocos Sur Travel Guide – Dakilanglaagan on June 16, 2020 at 9:52 am
    Reply

    […] is interested with – but, for sure, Vigan City will always ring a bell among Filipinos. This UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Ilocos Sur is part of the New Seven Wonder Cities – which I have been dreaming to see […]

    LikeLiked by 1 person

  9. 12
    Here are 10 of the Most Amazing Trees in the World – Dakilanglaagan on November 2, 2020 at 10:43 am
    Reply

    […] DISCOVER PHILIPPINES: UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES THAT YOU CAN VISIT! […]

    LikeLiked by 1 person

  10. 13
    How I Traveled from Cebu to Guimaras to Iloilo and Roxas City in One Day – Dakilanglaagan on January 31, 2021 at 9:53 am
    Reply

    […] the epic journey began. Honestly, I didn’t do my assignment on this journey to the renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site. I just checked Google Map and upon seeing that the place is “just nearby” the city proper, I […]

    LikeLiked by 1 person

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