Where Nature and Culture Meet: A Colorful Journey at “Botanical Garden” in Baguio City, Philippines

Hello my dear travelers! Hello to the lovely people of @worldmappin community! It’s me again “LJ” and I will share today the part II of my travel adventure in Baguio City last August, 2022.

This time, I will tour you to one of the most visited tourist attractions in the City of Pines. Welcome to the beautiful place called “Botanical Garden”.

After enjoying the first stop on our Baguio Itinerary which was the "Igorot Stone Kingdom" which I already posted here recently. Our second destination brought us to the famous "Botanical Garden". My coworker and I decided to take a taxi ride going there since we were not too familiar with the jeepney signages around the city. It was the easier choice, and honestly, it saved us from the confusion of figuring out which route to take. The ride itself was smooth and quick, and I think around 10-15 minutes, we found ourselves at the entrance of the garden.

As we arrived, the first thing that greeted us was the stone marker with the words “Botanical Garden” beautifully carved into it. That stone landmark felt symbolic. It immediately gave us a sense of excitement, as if it was warmly welcoming us to a place where both nature and culture meet. I took a moment to snap photos of it since it was too iconic to pass by without a picture of it.

Walking inside, we were embraced by the refreshing cool air and the sight of tall pine trees that towered above us. The garden had a calm and peaceful atmosphere. Every step along the pathways felt like a small escape, allowing us to breathe more freely and take in the natural beauty that surrounded us.

We wandered through different sections of the garden, each with its own charm. There were vibrant flowers that added splashes of color and traditional huts that showcased the culture of the Cordillera region. It was fascinating to see how the place was not only about plants and trees but also about history and local identity.

One of the most surprising and eye-catching sights for me was the huge "elephant statues" inside the garden. Standing beside them made us feel tiny, and of course it became another fun photo opportunity for us. It was unexpected to see such structures in the middle of the greenery, but definitely added a unique touch to the place.

Another highlight of our visit and the best part was when we decided to rent the “traditional Igorot costumes”. At first, we were shy but once we tried them on, it became such a fun and unforgettable experience. We could not stop laughing while posing for photos. I felt like a real “Igorota”(means a woman belongs to the Igorot ethnic group in Northern Luzon, Philippines) that time. The colorful woven fabric, the accessories, props and the outfit transformed our look. It was such a unique and joyful experience.

We continued exploring afterwards, the whole place had a calming effect, almost like the time was slowing down so you could really appreciate everything around.

I realized that our visit to the Botanical Garden wasn’t just another stop in our itinerary. This place simply connects us to the nature as well as to the culture of Baguio City. From the flowers and elephant statues to my “Igorota” moment, every memory we made there was truly special.

Sometimes, the best part of travelling is not about the big touristy things, but the small experiences that we had that makes us smile whenever we remember them. And for me, that day at the Botanical Garden will always be one of those.

That’s it for the Part II of my Baguio trip! I hope you enjoy reading my blog. See you on my part III of my Baguio Adventure! Have a nice day ahead to all of us!

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These photos were taken with my Iphone13pro and edited through Canva.