DiscoverVigan City
Discover the natural beauty, culture and heritage of Vigan City.
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Top 10 Reasons to Visit Vigan City
Reason 01
A Sneak Peak into Vigan City
- The thing is to envision a soft light of sunrise painting the colonial walls with the golden shade, which almost feels like magic, before you step onto the cobblestone streets of Vigan.
- The streets of the city are crowded with crafted carts made of wood and every cart has fresh products, which smell of potential and make one want to take a further adventure.
- When you imagine about where to spend your holidays to Vigan City, it is best that you imagine going along the old schoolhouse, breathing in the fresh air full of the smell of old books.
- One may hear the sound of far-off church bells and every now and then the laughing of children, which is a kind of soundtrack that narrates a storey of a hundred years ago.
- Vigan is an example of a place that gives a picture of its past in every part and the air itself is filled with the pride of its citizens that have managed to maintain the identity through generations.
- When the day of exploration is over you will discover a quiet place where you can sit down, breathe and consider the rich tapestry that is around you.
- Capital: Vigan City is the capital of Ilocos Sur province, Ilocos Region
- International airport: Laoag International Airport, about 80 kilometres north
- Currency: Philippine Peso (PHP)
- Time zone: UTC+8 (Philippine Standard Time)
- Driving side: Right side
- Main electricity: 220 volts, 60 Hz
- Official languages: Filipino and English; Ilocano is spoken naturally by locals
- Major religion: Predominantly Roman Catholic, like Northern Luzon, typically
Reason 02
Highlights
- Calle Crisologo, the principal avenue, is a museum of its own; the adobe houses of the avenue gleam in the sun and each window presents one or other of the past.
- The Bantay Bell Tower, which sits on a hill, is the place where one can view the city panoramically and the effort of climbing the stairs is completely justified.
- The Dancing Fountain is a magical sight of light and water located in the busy Plaza Salcedo and pleases people of any age.
- A visit to the colourful marketplace where local craftsmen showcase their products in form of handmade hats and pottery created by them should be one of the first places to visit when you think of holidays to Vigan City.
- Its spires soaring high, the Vigan Cathedral is the tribute to the strong faith of the citizens and the beauty of architectural design of the city.
- The Syquia Mansion Museum which was a family house now demonstrates the way of life of the Filipino nobility in a one hundred year old environment.
Reason 03
Seasons to Travel
- Ideally the season in between November and April is the dry season and the sky is clear and the streets crisp and inviting.
- The summer is hot, but the rainfall is periodically bringing a cool shower to the historic gardens of the city, making it a fertile background.
- Visiting shoulder months, either in May or September, would ensure lower crowd levels and you will be able to enjoy the tranquilly of Vigan.
- The wet season introduces a dramatic shade onto the city colonial buildings, which are transformed to a dramatic film set.
- One will be able to experience a rich mixture of music, dance, and traditional costumes during festival season, particularly during the Vigan Autumn Harvest Festival.
- The evenings of late November are very mysterious as lanterns move over the canals and the waterways are covered with shining lights.
Reason 04
Worth A Visit
Calle Crisologo
- The houses of the Spanish period remain and decorate this well known lane making it a standard brand of what the Philippines had to offer.
- Each step you make on its cobblestones reverberates the footsteps of colonial traders and explorers.
- The wooden carts of the street, with their fresh local products, form a living marketplace which seems both old-fashioned and modern.
- A small cafe at the centre of Calle Crisologo serves as a good place to taste classic Filipino hot chocolate that is also a perfect match to the sight.
- The architecture of the lane reflects the local style of Vigan combining bricks, wooden beams, and complex carvings.
- At dusk, the buildings are lit by the streetlamps, and their image gets a cosy and nostalgic effect, which is much loved by photographers.
Bantay Bell Tower
- Located at a strategic hilltop, the tower offers stunning panoramas to its visitors of the skyline of the whole of Vigan.
- It is a symbol of the strength of the city because its stone front has survived centuries of weather and war.
- The sound of the bell reverberates along the streets in recognition of the hours in a practise dating back to the 16 th century.
- Tourists usually go to the top to take pictures of the sunset where the sky turns the city into an oranges and pinks blush.
- The courtyard is a silent place and a meeting spot of the locals who come to exchange tales and this gives them a close cultural experience.
- The nearby gardens consist of native plants contributing to the effect of continuity in history, and thus the climb is interesting.
Vigan Cathedral
- The high, white front of the cathedral gives an atmosphere of amazement and encourages the travellers to go inside and observe its elaborate ornaments.
- Its altar which is made of carved wood is an artistic rendition of the religion of the local people.
- The coloured windows refract the light into a rainbow of colours that play upon the stone floor.
- Frescoes are painted indoors and present a visual account of the lives of Saint Augustine, which is the centuries-old account of devotion.
- The bell tower of the cathedral, which is not part of the main building, gives it a harmonious ring which is audible within the city.
- One of the places where visitors stop to meditate on the spiritual heritage of the city is the serene courtyard, which gives one a peaceful connexion to the past.
Syquia Mansion Museum
- Constructed at the beginning of the 20 th century, this mansion reflects on the luxurious lifestyle of the Spanish- Filipino elite.
- The porcelain and antique furniture it has is a description of a lost age that is so easily available.
- The library has leather-bound books and provides literary enthusiasts with a serene environment to relax.
- The gardens in the mansion with stone pathways and smelly shrubs also give one a serene relaxation of the urban life.
- The interactive screens enable the visitors to know the place of the local aristocracy in the history of the community.
- Guided tours help understand better why the Syquia family was at the centre of maintaining the cultural identity of Vigan.
Reason 05
Discover More
Dancing Fountain at Plaza Salcedo
- The jets of water throwing off the fountain are choreographed to the music and make a spellbinding effect, which leaves children and adults abducted.
- The lights on the water surface projected resemble constellations and this provides the plaza with the feeling of celestial during the nighttime.
- The benches that surround the park are ideal to view the show have a cool breeze.
- The theme of the fountain is also changed periodically, so that a repeat visit will never be the same.
- It is also a perfect location to take photos especially when it involves the tourists sitting before the shimmering water.
- The open structure of the plaza welcomes impromptu dancing, which means that visitors can be involved in the celebration of local exultation.
Hidden Garden
- The garden is huddled down a small Alley and a serene space of greenery and spicy herbs.
- The local people love this sanctuary where they can engage in Zen meditation making it look like a peaceful environment.
- There are also themed areas with tropical Philippine flora that are served by pathways paved with smooth stones.
- A small gazebo purposely in the middle of the garden can be used to conduct intimate discussions and observe a koi pond.
- The area is done on native stone work in its design to give it a rustic and yet pretty look.
- Tourists who roam the area are usually invigorated by the mere elegance of what can be said to be a place that is almost hidden.
Pagburnayan Pottery
- The pottery workshop presents the classic art of hand-baked ceramics, which is also one of the crafts that have persevered over generations.
- Artisans show how clay is moulded into a finished glaze providing a close examination of their expertise.
- Tourists will be able to attend a short workshop, where they make a small souvenir which symbolises the artisan culture of Vigan.
- The storage space of the workshop shows different styles of pottery, utilitarian bowls and decorative vases.
- Every piece conveys a storey, mostly grounded on the local folklore, and the experience was not only educational but also motivating.
- The place of workshop in a serene street makes a visit to it a leisurely experience anticipated to be a time travel.
Crisologo Museum
- The museum boasts of a sizeable collection of artefacts of the Spanish era that trace the history of the city under colonisation.
- It has period pieces that adorn its walls giving a physical feel of the way Vigan used to live.
- It makes the experience interactive and engages the audience by use of audio guides that tell the storeys behind each exhibit.
- The archives of the museum have manuscripts showing the lives of artists, merchants, and religious leaders.
- There is a small court, where guided tours, to explore the layers of history of Vigan, occasionally take place.
- Tourists go away with a better insight on why holidays to Vigan is still a prized cultural heritage.
Reason 06
Culture Traditions
- The people of Vigan are keen to preserve the agile and traditional dance known as the Tinikling, a rhythmic footwork dance.
- The city also has workshops of Bayanihan where tourists get to learn about the spirit of collaboration that has been used to complete community projects.
- The tourists can experience the traditional Sinukuan weaving classes where they can attempt to create local textiles.
- Local crafts people display the process of making Patadyong which is the dyeing of fabrics that give out the bright coloration that is incorporated in the Filipino clothing.
- Lacong sa puso, a communal meal, is still being practised by a significant number of families and helps to strengthen connexions between the old and the young.
- The city is packed with festivals whose cultural calender is rich in celebration of the Filipino heritage and visitors are welcome to experience the fun.
Reason 07
Food Fun Fashion
Food
- The indigenous food has the local cuisine of Longganisa that is cooked using a combination of spices resembling the Spanish touch in the city.
- The sticky rice desserts known as kakanin are served in hot bowls, which brings a pleasant flavour of home tradition.
- This dish is served in a hearty meal at the Bacalao stands, which consists of potatoes, onions and salted cod.
- Empanada are lining up the streets and in every bite of it, the fillings are savoury, with a crunchy pastry.
- The sweet flaky pastry that is stuffed with caramelised sugar-filled fresh Piyaya is popular among locals and tourists alike.
- When the sun goes down, the fragrance of the kalamay of the roadside stalls will beckon you to take the sweet, sticky rice cake in its humble though tasting guise.
Fun
- The interactive Murang-Kita play area at Vigan encourages children to play through interacting with local legends reflected in the games.
- The Viva Vigan bike tour allows tourists to see the streets of the city on bikes as they are given a guided tour.
- The cultural night quiz night lasts every Friday, and it allows visitors to be aware of the history of holidays to Vigan by having refreshments.
- The Sunset Carousel is a dreamy ride, where the melodious music plays a role in making the ride more enjoyable to a family.
- The tours of the Street Art will present the murals of the past of Vigan which provide the creative eye with a visual feast.
- The Vigan Rooftop Cinema presents vintage Filipino films on the roof, thereby, forming a distinct, shared entertainment affair.
Fashion
- Holidays to Vigan is home to the colourful patterns of the so-called Patadyong cloth, which is woven in Vigan.
- The local boutiques present Batik clothes that incorporate the traditional designs with modern design styles.
- The caps are made by hand, using coconut husks and thus provide a natural and environmentally friendly design.
- Sandal shops are also selling well carved footwear that is very durable and fashionable.
- Every year, the city hosts its own fashion walk known as Fashion Walk where the designers are inspired by the colonial architecture in Vigan.
- The visitors are allowed to design their own personalised outfits to leave their mark on this historical city in a very unique way.
Reason 08
Nature Safari
- The nearby Baluarte Forest is an easy getaway and the view is surrounded by limestone cliffs that border the ocean beyond.
- A mangrove guided river cruise, along the Ilog Santa Maria, features aquatic life along the river and ecosystems.
- The perfect hiking trails are the "Baclayon Hills, which offer scenic views of the neighbouring countryside.
- The bamboo construction in Vigan farms which are known as Kawayan gives us a glimpse of how sustainable construction can be through bamboo farming.
- The migratory species are present in the so-called Coastal Bird Sanctuary, where the visitors will have an opportunity to observe some rare birds.
- The town has plantain plantations, which yield aromatic, ripe fruits, which are consumed and also used as natural perfumes.
Reason 09
Events Fiestas
- Holidays to Vigan Autumn Harvest Festival is a festival of plenty of harvest produce in the area; it is celebrated by a series of parades, music, and other artistic performances.
- The kagitingan fireworks demonstrate the spectacular lighting, which covers the night sky over the historic centre of the city.
- The cultural pride of the city is emphasised in the Crown of the City parade where dancers wear traditional costumes.
- The rituals of centuries-old, such as the Pasko sa Vigan lantern procession, come to Christmas in Vigan.
- The scene of countdown of the New Year Eve is held in Plaza Salcedo where Dancing Fountain provides glittering ending to the party.
- Every year, there is the Sustainable Agriculture Expo where the innovators demonstrate environmentally friendly agricultural methods that can help the surrounding people.