Description
Summary
Description
Discover Laoag and Paoay's famous landmarks and natural wonders with this whole day sightseeing combo tour. This package will take you to Ilocos Norte’s inland and historical attractions, making it the perfect trip for those who want to take a deeper dive into the region’s rich heritage. It also comes with air-conditioned transportation, hotel pick-up, and drop-off, entrance fees to the attractions, bottled water, and the service of a guide.
Your guide will pick you up from your accommodation in Laoag to kick off your adventure. Once you're settled, you will travel to the first stop of the trip, the Malacanang of the North. This regal home served as the residence of the former Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos during his reign, but it has now been converted into a presidential museum. The museum overlooks the Paoay Lake and houses memorabilia from the Marcos era.
Next, you will head to the Chinese Garden, which is beside the Malacanang of the North. Take in the area's relaxing ambiance as you cross small bridges over calm waters to enter the various traditional Chinese pavilions inside. While the garden's still lakes already make for a great photo, its location also provides a scenic view of the Paoay Lake.
From there, you will make your way to the Paoay Church. This stone wall features massive buttresses and an overall Baroque design that eventually earned it a spot on the UNESCO World Heritage sites list. Enter its spacious halls to look at the intricate details that combined European motifs with local materials. Despite sustaining damage from earthquakes in the past, this grand chapel still holds masses for natives and tourists alike.
Afterward, you will go to the Marcos Museum to learn about the life of Ferdinand Marcos before visiting another museum in the area, the Museo Ilocos Norte. This ethnographic museum houses a massive collection of traditional items from the Igorot, Ilocano, and Itneg people that live in the province. Among them are ceremonial objects, traditional clothing, and household utensils that paint a picture of their daily lives.
From the museum, you will continue to the Sinking Bell Tower. This tall structure stands on a sandy foundation, which is believed to make it sink an inch every year, hence its name. You will also visit the St. William Cathedral. In contrast to the iconic Paoay Church, this cathedral boasts an Italian Renaissance style.
Finally, you will drive to the Tobacco Monopoly Marker as your tour comes to an end. This red brick structure was built to celebrate the end of Spain's monopoly over the tobacco trade in the country.
Immerse in the rich history of Ilocos Norte sightseeing tour of Laoag and Paoay. Check availability by selecting a date.
