Ilocos Norte. The treasure awaits.

Ilocos Norte , Philippines is a sunny treasure trove of white sand beaches, tropical rainforests,
centuries-old churches, traditional crafts, and exotic cuisine. Left relatively unnoticed by tourists
for ages, Ilocos Norte is fast becoming a favorite vacation destination.

On the northern tip of Luzon island stretches the province of Ilocos Norte. The long, narrow
strip of land rises from the sea to a coastal plain and shoots up to mountain ranges.
This unique land feature gives tourists the chance to enjoy both the sea and the mountain in one vacation.
Ilocos Norte promises a vacation to be treasured forever.

North Ilocos Norte

A trip to the northern parts of Ilocos Norte offers treasures mostly related to water.
Ilocos Norte's northern coast boasts of breathtaking beaches, dramatic expanses of highways,
many waterfalls, and beautiful structures dating back to the Spanish and American eras.

Our four-hour sight-seeing trip will take us to five of the eight towns forming Northern Ilocos Norte.
These towns are Bacarra, Pasuquin, Burgos , Bangui , and Pagudpud.

Bacarra is the third oldest town of Ilocos Norte. It was founded by Agustinian friars in 1572.
The town is believed to be named after a big basket used to keep rice. This basket is called bacar.
Another legend says that the town is named after a fish call bacbacarra. The fish is plentiful along
the town's coast. A third legend says that the town's name comes from the Spanish word for cattle, vaca.
The eastern parts of the town used to be pastureland for cattle.

Bacarra today looks basically the same way as it did during the Spanish era. Its layout still
follows the original Spanish system, and most of its colonial buildings are still present. Many colonial
houses still stand and are scattered all over the town. Most of these surround the town plaza and
date back to the Spanish and American eras.

The ruins of the town's municipal hall is a curious structure dating back to the Spanish era.
What makes it curious is that it was designed to look like a church and not a municipal building.

Of the old buildings, most impressive is the Bacarra Church complex and its famous bell tower.
This bell tower has a strange name among the locals. It is called the 'acrobatic bell tower' of Bacarra.
A series of earthquakes has reduced the size of the acrobatic bell tower. The current tower
now stands without its topmost level, which collapsed during the violent earthquake of 1983.

Pasuquin is a coastal town and is best known for its salt and biscocho. Biscocho is a delicious treat
made of sweet crunchy bread. This famous bread is baked in a single bakery that bears the town's name.
The secret recipe is well guarded and has been handed down from one generation to another.

Salt, on the other hand, is a traditional product of Pasuquin. Whole families boil large quantities of seawater
in wood-fired vats. The result is fine table salt. These are sold in colorful plastic bags on roadside stalls.

Pasuquin's town plaza is lined with stately acacia trees and is surrounded by buildings dating
back to the Spanish and American eras. Most interesting of these structures is the ruins of the
Catholic church.

As a coastal town, Pasuquin is blessed with beautiful beaches. Most popular is Sexy Beach
with its fine white sand. Another site popular among visitors is Pasuquin's pebble beach.
The pebbles come in all colors of the rainbow and are sure to delight.

Near the coast stands an ancient stone watchtower. It is believed to have been built to
guard the coast against pirates who used to attack the town in pre-colonial times.

Like Pasuquin, Burgos , is a coastal town. The most popular tourist spot in Burgos is its lighthouse.
Standing 160 meters on top of Guia de Nagpartian hill, the lighthouse is a graceful gem
of colonial architecture and engineering. The lighthouse was built in 1892 and lights the way for
ships leaving the Babuyanes Channel on their way to Hong Kong. The lighthouse was built by
Guillermo Brockman based on the design drawn by Magin Pers y Pers.

Those who climb all the way to the top of the lighthouse get breathtaking 265 degree views
of the underlying countryside and the fantastic Burgos coastline.

Across the highway from the lighthouse are curious rock formations. These karst limestone
formations were carved by the sea and the wind when the sea level was much higher than it is now.

Burgos is also blessed with waterfalls. Most popular are Caangrian Falls and Capurpuraoan Falls.

Rivaling the beauty of the view from Burgos lighthouse is the view of Bangui Valley from the
Bangui viewdeck. The viewdeck has refreshment stands so tourists can have a snack while
admiring Bangui Valley. The valley is carpeted with lush farms and plantations. In the afternoon
flocks of cranes fly above the valley and look like clouds flitting from one farm to the next.

There is no other Ilocos Norte town more popular for its beaches than Pagudpud. This coastal
town boasts of crystal clear waters and white sand beaches. Pagudpud is fast becoming a haven
for water sports enthusiasts. Sail boarding is best in Mayraira Cove in Pagudpud where the steady
northeast monsoon rips landward at an average of 20 knots per hour at an amazingly consistent 70
percent of the time. Jet skiing, sea kayaking, and other sports are offered by resorts and inns
dotting the towns coast.

Another popular tourist activity in Pagudpud is driving along the Patapat Aqueduct.
This magnificent causeway burrows through forested mountains and soars above the sea as it hugs the
coast. The view is fantastic as it allows the tourist to enjoy both the mountain and the sea at the same time. Nature lovers will be delighted by the number of wild birds that soar from mountain to sea and back.

Travel accommodations in Ilocos Norte are not a problem. Hotels, resorts, and inns are found
all over the province. Public transport is available between the municipalities, and private vehicles
are available for hire, so mobility is easy.

With daily direct flights from Shanghai to Ilocos Norte's capital, Laoag, discovering Ilocos Norte's
northern treasures is now within your reach.