Out of Town Blog
8 Interesting Places in Cebu that will take you Halfway Around the World
Go on a trip without needing your passport or visa!
Explore the world without leaving Cebu’s borders, where you experience the timeless charm of European gems like Amsterdam, Spain, Greece, and London to vibrant Asian jewels of Japan, Indonesia, and Vietnam, even Turkey–which straddles the two continents! All of these without the need for plane tickets.
With the right angle and outfits, you can get Instagram-worthy photos that make you feel like you traveled worldwide.
Let us give you a tour around the world in Cebu through these photos.
Cebu Safari and Adventure Park = San Diego Zoo
When business tycoon Michel Lhuillier visited the famed San Diego Zoo, he was inspired to bring the concept to Carmen to maximize his land surplus. The property is a sprawling 170 hectares that is home to a thousand animals from 120 different species from all over the world, where they recreated their natural habitats to preserve some of the endangered species for generations to come and educate the visitors about the living and breathing exhibits inside the safari. It also has a vehicle tour, a first in the country inside an African Savannah, and a flora walking trail that showcases 1 million different variations of orchids.
Best visited when you are in your camos or khakis to bring out the adventurer in you.
Temple of Leah, Busay = Parthenon, Athens, Greece
In a testament to everlasting love, the Temple of Leah was built in Busay in 2012 under the visionary of Mr. Teodorico S. Adarna. Crafted as a homage to his beloved wife, Leah Villa Albino-Adarna, this architectural marvel is a timeless symbol of devotion.
Mr. Adarna adopted an architectural and structural design that can withstand time, ensuring it stands as a beacon for future generations of the Adarna lineage. Its halls unfold a glimpse of Mrs. Adarna’s life through her cherished collections, meticulously curated across 24 chambers, inviting family members to reconnect with their heritage.
A personification of true love cast in stone, its structure reminds you of Athens’ Parthenon, while its story is quite similar to that of India’s Taj Mahal.
Ka Treasure Water Terraces, Argao = Pamukkale, Denizli, Turkey and Saturnia Hot Springs, Italy
Ka Treasure Water Terraces Mountain Resort is known for its natural water terrace formation that resembles Cordillera’s rice terraces but with fresh water from a nearby spring cascading down like mini waterfalls. The inviting pools of turquoise water with mountains’ backdrop make a perfect summer destination.
The resort was open to the public in 2021 when young owners traded their urban life for the mountains. It started as a DIY project by improving the limestone terraces and clearing the area to make it more accessible.
Sachiko’s Little Kyoto, Busay = Inari Taisha Shrine, Kyoto, Japan
It’s Japan on a budget! Located in the highlands of Barangay Babag Uno, adjacent to Busay, this Japanese-themed tourist attraction gives you a glimpse of Kyoto.
Traditional torii gates are vibrant red in Sachiko’s Little Kyoto (FB Page). These gates are usually found at Shinto shrines, acting as a bridge or boundary between the sacred space of the shrine and the ordinary world. The Geisha Gallery showcases photos of beautiful Geishas in their kimonos, traditional hairstyles, and oshiroi make-ups walking along the streets. You can even rent your kimono and go around the place for a good photo angle.
There’s even a depiction of a lying Buddha statue, daruma (an ancient Japanese doll), maneki-neko (lucky cat), and even a dog statue of Hachiko!
Sirao Flower Garden, Cebu = Amsterdam, Netherlands
In the highlands of Busay, flower farms and vegetable plantations are a regular sight. However, in 2015, someone took a shot of beautiful rows of red and yellow celosia blooms, which made their way to the Internet. The owners even have windmills to complete the whole Netherlands theme. It was the peak of posting Instagram-worthy destinations during that time, instantly making it a popular tourist spot!
The celosia flower is not native to the Philippines. These vibrant blooms found their way to Cebu when they were brought home by Cebuanos, who went to the Netherlands in 1991, thus earning the nickname “Little Amsterdam.” The name celosia translates to “burning” in Greek, a fitting description of its fiery color petals blossoms.
Bamboo Forest, Medellin = Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Kyoto, Japan
The bamboo forest in Barangay Luy-a, Medellin, adds to the roster of Japan-inspired attractions; just like how Sirao Flower Farm was ‘discovered,’ the bamboo haven quietly thrived in the corner of a sugarcane plantation until a local took a photo and uploaded it on social media. And the rest is history.
Owned by wealthy hacienderos, the Bamboo Forest brought opportunities to the place, and the owners decided to develop, maintain, and open it to tourists who traveled three hours all the way from the city.
Its Instagram-worthy backdrop is perfect for prenuptial shoots. They even have kimonos on rental for a complete “I’ve been to Japan or Korea” photo experience.
Labyrinth, Toledo, Cebu = Crystal Palace Labyrinth, London
A 25-meter-diameter hedged pathway with a complicated design is my love life. Compared to other labyrinth gardens, this one has a smaller hedge bush that lets you see the whole labyrinth. At the end of the maze is the statue of the Virgin Mary cradling Baby Jesus in her arms.
It takes about the same time to navigate through the maze as it does to finish saying a rosary, which is why it was built. The labyrinth is located beside Capilla Sta. Ana has a museum that houses religious relics and paintings from the owners’ travels.
La Vie Parisienne = Paris
La Vie Parisienne (FB page) brings a slice of Parisian life, transporting you to the streets of France with its French bistro-inspired ambiance, vintage architecture, and visual aesthetics. Among its features is its picturesque wine cellar, reminiscent of a charming wine shop tucked away in the heart of Paris. As classical French opera melodies gently fill the air, the experience is similar if you wander through the streets of Paris, enjoying every sip of timeless elegance and romance.
And that ends our world tour in Cebu (on a budget). No need to spend too much; just work on your OOTD and model-pose skills to get instant likes and hearts on social media!
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Read:
- Temple of Leah in Cebu: Leaving a Legacy in the Queen City of the South
- Busay Waterfalls in Santa Elena, Camarines Norte
- Bicol’s Best of 10: The Southern Path to Summer Fun
- KAMBAL BUSAY FALLS in Bulusan, Sorsogon
8 Interesting Places in Cebu that will take you Halfway Around the World
Kate Biol
Out of Town Blog