[Philippines World Heritage Sites] List of 6 spots!

The Philippines is a popular overseas destination for foreigners. In this article, we will introduce all six World Heritage Sites at once: three natural and three cultural.
Recently, with budget airlines operating and the cost of living in the Philippines being low, you can enjoy a trip while keeping travel expenses down. When you travel to and in the Philippines, be sure to visit the World Heritage Sites, where you can see beautiful scenery that can only be found here.

1. Baroque Churches of the Philippines

The Baroque Churches of the Philippines, registered in 1993 as the first World Heritage Site in the Philippines, are four Spanish-style churches built in the 16th century, located in the cities of Panay Island, Manila, Paoay, and Santa Maria.
The San Agustin Church in Manila, built in 1571, is said to be the oldest church in the Philippines, and still retains beautiful stained glass windows and murals. The San Agustin Church in Paoay, completed in 1710, is famous for its distinctive appearance. The Santa Maria Church in Santa Maria was built as the Narvacan Chapel. The Villanueva Church in Miagao is impressive with its bas-reliefs.
These four Baroque-style churches from the Spanish colonial era are registered as a World Cultural Heritage site under the name "Baroque Churches of the Philippines". They are beautiful buildings with a sense of history, so be sure to visit them.

2. Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras

The Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras, registered as a World Heritage Site in 1995, are said to be the largest in the world!
The Cordillera Rice Terraces are located in the northern part of Luzon Island in the Philippines, where there are many peaks exceeding 1,000 meters in elevation. Accessing them is a bit challenging, but the beauty of the terraces will surely make you forget your fatigue! Also known as the "Stairway to Heaven," these rice terraces have a long history, having been created by the Ifugao people and other mountain tribes from around 1000 BC to 100 BC.
Why not find healing and tranquility amidst the beauty of the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras, a World Heritage Site where you can enjoy trekking and a peaceful atmosphere?

3. Historic City of Vigan

The Historic City of Vigan, designated a World Heritage Site in 1999, is a beautiful place with many attractions. The streets of Vigan, which still retain traces of the Spanish colonial period from the 16th century, are said to have been influenced not only by Spain but also by China and Latin America.
Similar townscapes existed in Manila and Cebu in the Philippines, but only Vigan escaped the ravages of World War II. Be sure to experience the history and culture of the Philippines in the ancient city of Vigan, a World Heritage Site where you can see attractions such as St. Paul's Cathedral and Salcedo Square!

4. Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park

Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park boasts two large atolls and a coral reef said to be the largest in Southeast Asia. First registered as a Philippine World Heritage Site in 1993 as "Tubbataha Reefs Marine Park," its area was expanded to about three times its original size in 2009 and re-registered as "Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park."
Of the two atolls, the larger one is called Bird Island due to its many seabirds, while the smaller one is called Lighthouse Reef because of its lighthouse.
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is home to over 350 species of coral and endangered species such as hawksbill sea turtles. Diving is a popular activity in the waters where many marine creatures, including sea turtles, live. If you dive into the beautiful waters of this World Heritage Site, you can encounter colorful and cute schools of tropical fish and even manta rays.

5. Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

Designated a World Heritage Site in the Philippines in 1999, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is a national park established to protect an underground river flowing through a cave on Palawan Island in the southwestern Philippines.
This popular World Heritage Site offers tours where you can explore the river flowing through the cave by boat for about an hour. Although the national park is named after Puerto Princesa, it is actually located in Sabang, about a three-hour drive from Puerto Princesa City.
The cave here remains untouched, with no artificial lighting inside. You'll explore the cave relying solely on the boat's lights. You can see a huge space called the Cathedral and stalactites as tall as 10 meters. Ancestors of dugongs from about 2,000 years ago have also been discovered in this cave!
Why not experience the mystical world of the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, a Philippine World Heritage Site and reportedly the world's longest navigable underground river?

6. Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary

Inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 2014, Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary is the most recently registered World Heritage Site in the Philippines. Located on the Pujada Peninsula on Mindanao Island, the second largest island in the Philippines after Luzon, Mount Hamiguitan is home to a variety of plants and animals.
Approximately 1,380 species of wild flora and fauna inhabit this vast wildlife sanctuary, covering 26,000 hectares of World Heritage-listed land. Among them are 341 endemic species of the Philippines, including the Philippine Eagle and the Philippine Cockatoo.
You can see many plants that are not usually seen, such as the pitcher plant, and the endemic orchid species, which boast one of the highest numbers in the world, are also worth seeing! This World Heritage Site offers stunning views of beautiful nature.

◎ Summary of all 6 World Heritage Sites in the Philippines

We have introduced all six World Heritage Sites in the Philippines. Have you found any that pique your interest? Be sure to visit the Philippines, which is full of World Heritage Sites where you can experience nature and history!