Cebu, which is one of the most developed island provinces of the Philippines, can be found smack dab in the middle of the archipelago that makes up the Philippines. Cebu, which is one of the Philippines’ largest islands and stretches for around 225 kilometres, is surrounded by roughly 167 smaller islands. Its terrain is characterised by high limestone plateaus and towering mountains that overlook expansive coastal lowlands. Cebu has become the country’s primary financial, economic, and manufacturing hub thanks in large part to the island’s abundant natural resources and strategic positioning geographically. A bustling metropolis with startling buildings, nightclubs, retail plazas, and much more can be found in the city that is also known as the “Queen City of the South.”
Cebu has been documented throughout history as a thriving port that served as a stop on the commerce route that connected China, Siam, Arabia, and the Malay Islands. The Spaniards made many unsuccessful attempts to establish a foothold in the province prior to the 16th century. But they were forced to turn around and go back because the people who lived there were staging tremendous fights against them. At the beginning of the 16th century, they were eventually successful in colonising the province. After then, the province fell under the administration of the United States. During World War II, Japanese forces also successfully took control of the province. In spite of the passage of time, remnants of these people’s impact are still visible in the province’s multifaceted cultural landscape.
Main Tourist Attractions of Cebu, Phillipines
Fort San Pedro
The oldest structure still standing in Cebu City is the Fort San Pedro, which is often referred to as the Fuerza de San Pedro. This magnificent example of Spanish architecture was formerly a fortification in the city of Cebu and was constructed by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and the Spanish government. The fort has a space that is 2,025 sq m. The tower in the fort is thirty feet high, and the walls are twenty feet high and eight feet thick. Within the walls of the fort is a museum that has sculptures, antiquities, ceramics, paintings, and armour that date back to the time when it was occupied by the Spanish.
Magellan’s Cross
The tiny building with the Cross of Magellan located near the town hall serves as the spiritual centre of Cebu City. Magellan, a Spanish adventurer who served the King of Spain and landed on the island of Cebu in the early 16th century, was named Ferdinand. The initial cross that was used in the process of converting locals to Christianity is now encased in a wooden cross as a means of protecting it from those who think the cross has supernatural powers.
Olango Wildlife Sanctuary
The Olango Wildlife Haven is well-known across the nation as a sanctuary for birds. There are around 1,600 different kinds of birds that call this area their home, such as owls, eagles, parrots, butterflies, and many more. Migratory birds from Siberia, Northern China, Australia, and other nearby nations stop through the refuge on their way to and from their breeding grounds. These birds go all the way to Cebu in the hopes of finding food and also to get away from the harsh winters there.
Lapulapu Monument
This monument was constructed on the site of the battle that took place on April 27, 1521, between the Lapulapu and Ferdinand Magellan. Magellan was a foreign invader when he arrived on Mactan Island, and Lapulapu was the chief of the island. A heroic figure is shown on the monument, wielding a sword in their right hand and a shield in their left hand. This memorial was built as a homage to the bravery of the Filipino armed forces.
Julian Jumalon’s Butterfly Sanctuary and Art Gallery
The Butterfly Sanctuary maintained by Julian Jumalon is a natural habitat that caters to butterflies. It was founded in 1974 and was given its current name in honour of the painter Julian Jumalon. In the garden, there are many different kinds of butterflies of different colours fluttering about. In addition, this location is home to a diverse selection of edible plants. Because it houses the world’s oldest collection of butterflies, the sanctuary is a popular destination for tourists interested in biology. In addition to the butterfly sanctuary, you may also go to the art gallery, which has a sizable collection of mosaic artworks created using the Lepido technique.
Basillica Minore del Santo Nino
This church once went by the name Santo Nino de Cebu, which literally translates to “holy child of Cebu.” It is one of the oldest churches in the Roman Catholic tradition in Cebu. Around the middle of the 16th century, Spanish people constructed the first version of the church. The painting of the Holy Child was placed in the cathedral by the Portuguese and Spanish explorers who discovered the area. Miguel Lopez de Legaspi and Andres Urdaneta are credited with the church’s reconstruction in the year 1735. In 1965, the church was formally designated as a Minor Basilica of the Holy Child and given the name Basilica Minore del Santo Nino. Many devout individuals may be seen reciting prayers while holding candles in the church on any given day.
Taoist Temple
The Taoist Temple, which is often referred to as the Daiost Temple, was constructed in 1972 and is located in Beverly Hills in Cebu. Lao Tzu, a prominent figure in the history of Chinese philosophy, is honoured by a shrine inside of this temple. On every Wednesday and Sunday, believers of Taoism perform their rituals, which consist of ascending 99 stairs to the temple and lighting up sticks while giving prayers to their own gods. Near the temple, you’ll also find some people who read people’s fortunes.
Casa Gorordo Museum
This museum first opened its doors in 1860 and served as the home of a distinguished family. It is a wonderful example of the architecture of Spain as well as the local building methods. The lowest part of the reef has magnificent Mactan coral walls that are coated with tree sap. Hardwood that has not been treated in any way makes up the top part. The museum has a number of unique artefacts from the Spanish colonial period, some of which are extremely ancient pieces of furniture, a large number of figures of saints, and other religious relics.
Kawasan Fall
Kawasan Fall is a well-known tourist destination that can be found close to the town of Matatinao. The waterfall has three levels of showers with water that is completely transparent. The first and most significant shower will come first. The tranquil environment around the waterfall attracts vacationers who want to unwind during their time away from home. There are a great number of resorts, restaurants, and food courts located in close proximity for you to try the regional cuisine.
Chapel of the Last Supper
It is considered to be one of the most cherished artefacts in the nation. This one-of-a-kind artefact dates back about 250 years and is a full-scale carving. It represents the Lord Jesus and his 12 messengers reclining at a table as they partake in the Last Supper. The relic was found in the Mandaue Church as it was being renovated.
Mactan Island
This is the location where Magellan first made contact with Lapu-Lapu. It is located across the city of Mandaue. This coral island is a well-known location for scuba diving and beachgoing, and it encompasses an area of around 370.6 acres (150 hectares). In addition, Mactan is home to an Export Processing Zone, which is responsible for the employment of more than 37,000 people.
Malapascua Island
This picture-perfect island may be found off the coast of Cebu’s northern tip, around 25 kilometres west of Leyte. The island is famous for its pristine beaches covered with white sand and beautiful seas. The water on the island’s western shore is calm and clear, making it ideal for swimming and snorkelling.
