Must-See, Man-Made Attractions of the Philippines

Behold the wonders of Pinoy ingenuity and culture.
by Tynne De Leon | September 13, 2016

Filipinos have always been aware of the natural wonders in our country, and that is why we’ve always been proud to show off to tourists how much more fun it is here. We’ve since added many more sights, crafted by hand and sweat, to showcase our culture.

Here are some of the best, man-made sights we have.

Hanging Coffins of Sagada

While Sagada is now known as a place “where the broken hearts go” (courtesy of the popular movie That Thing Called Tadhana), there are certainly a lot of unconventional spots here than what you might expect.

Perhaps one “attraction” that makes the place known long before its movie setting stint is the Hanging Coffins in the Lumiang Burial Cave. From the word itself, the coffins are stacked on the high rock formations beside a cliff, a burial tradition practiced by the ancient Igorots to honor their family.

According to local tourist guides, the coffins are positioned significantly depending on how they were valued by their loved ones, the highest being the most valued, since it is the one “closest to heaven”.

A proof of the rich culture of the old Filipinos, this old tradition is completely fascinating, as it showed how much they care for the dead in the ancient times, to make such complete effort in pinning their coffins near the edge of a cliff.

To history junkies, this place is worth the visit despite its somehow spooky background because it says a lot about us as Filipinos and it’s a tale worth passing to the next generation.

Click here if you plan to visit.

Corregidor Island

While the island is entirely a natural spectacle, some underground caverns in the place are man-made, making it an ideal spot for adventure seekers. Strategically located at the entrance of Manila Bay, Corregidor is formerly the headquarters of the allied forces during the Japanese Occupation era; hence it was named a naval landmark.

But aside from its rich contribution to our history, it’s a great adventure place for adrenaline junkies as it has hosted its own version of the Amazing Race, clearly an excellent choice for activities like rock balancing, camp adventure, and island runabouts, among others.

Check out this primer to get a view of the activities and accommodations.

Bangui Windmills, Ilocos Norte

It isn’t a complete trip to Ilocos if you don’t pass by this Instagenic wind farm.

With the province’s close proximity to the ocean, it is no doubt that it is a good spot for wind energy generation, thus giving birth to the Bangui Windmill. Started in 1998 with the help of a Danish firm, the wind electrical powers from the large turbines contribute to nearly 40% of the province’s electrical power. It’s great to swing by the place if you’re visiting the nearby Pagudpud.

Visit this site if you plan to stay a night or two.

Intramuros, Manila

Dubbed Manila’s Walled City, Intramuros by far is still one of the man-made spectacles that figures in much of Philippine history. Dating back to the Spanish colonial era, the story goes that it was built by Filipino and Chinese workers, has more or less stood the test of time, bombings during WW2, and man-made disasters and was restored in the 1980s. Being one of the oldest districts of Manila, it is really worth the visit if you want to escape the bustle of the metro without actually leaving it.

There’s always a lot to do in Intramuros aside from the cliché calesa ride. You can visit its museums, try the art and culture activities, join a parkour group, learn photography, explore the place through ecobikes, indulge yourself with great food,  among others.

You can also check out the Intramuros Administration page to know about the activities that best fit your interests.

San Juanico Bridge

This widely-famous bridge connecting sister provinces Samar and Leyte is one of the main attractions of Eastern Visayas and said to be the longest bridge in the Philippines inside a body of seawater.

Formerly called the “Marcos Bridge” since it was built during President Marcos’s time it was also Ferdinand Marcos’s gift to his wife, Imelda, a native of Leyte. Your Eastern Visayas experience wouldn’t be complete if you haven’t passed by this majestic bridge, as it offers a great view of the narrow San Juanico strait, especially during sunset and sunrise. If you fancy a long road trip with plenty of fresh sea air, you need to put this on your bucket list ASAP.

Know any other obscure man-made attractions in the country? Share them below!