Your guide to all the best attractions in Tacloban. Tacloban City is home to some of the best attractions in the Philippines.
There's more to see and do in Tacloban City than you can possibly imagine. Explore the possibilities!
GEN. DOUGLAS MACARTHUR LANDING MEMORIAL
LOCATION
MacArthur Landing Memorial Park, at the Red Beach in Candahug, Palo, Leyte; can be reached by public transport or private vehicle
DESCRIPTION
Spacious parking space; garden with a variety of Philippine flowers and shrubs; beautiful landscaping
ATTRACTION
This is the site where the Liberation Forces led by Gen. Douglas MacArthur and Pres. Sergio Osmeña landed during their return to the Philippines together with the Philippine and American military forces after a period of exile in 1944.
Making good his famous promise "I Shall Return...", he did made a comeback to redeem the Philippines from the Japanese Imperial forces during the World War II.
A Monument marking where the Liberation Forces led by Gen. Douglas MacArthur and Pres. Sergio Osmeña landed on Oct. 20, 1944 at the Palo Red Beach.
The statues of the liberators stand 1.5 times bigger than life-size. The annual Leyte Landing Anniversary is being celebrated on Oct 20th every year.
SAN JUANICO BRIDGE
LOCATION
Crossing over San Juanico Strait, connects Brgy. Cabalawan, Tacloban City (Leyte side) and Sta. Rita town (Samar side) approximately 10 minutes from Tacloban City; accessible by passenger jeepneys, buses, motorcabs and private vehicles.
ATTRACTION
Longest and most beautifully designed bridge in the Philippines; picturesque San Juanico Strait with a thousand whirlpools; lovely islets; picturesque views.
The San Juanico Bridge connects the islands of Leyte and Samar. Even though the bridge is on the very edge of Tacloban city limits, it is considered to be one of the city's most prominent landmarks.
STO. NINO SHRINE AND HERITAGE MUSEUM
LOCATION
Real Street, Tacloban City
ATTRACTION
Paintings of the 14 stations of the Cross done by Filipino artists, wooden bas-relief of the legend of the First Filipino man-woman (Si Malakas at si Maganda); tastefully decorated guestrooms of varied Filipino motifs; image of the Holy Child; a collection of original paintings by Fernando Amorsolo; spacious ballroom; priceless collector's items.
>> Click HERE for more about the Sto. Nino Shrine
LEYTE PROVINCIAL CAPITOL
LOCATION
Cor. Sen. Enage St. and Magsaysay Boulevard, Tacloban City
DESCRIPTION
Built in 1907, it is the seat of the provincial government of Leyte
ATTRACTION
Viewing of historic murals depicting the first Christian Mass in the Orient and Gen. Douglas MacArthur's landing
DESCRIPTION
Became the seat of the Commonwealth Government of the Philippines from October 23, 1944 to February 27,1945 when President Sergio Osmeña, Sr. came in 1944 with the WW II Liberation Forces of Gen. Douglas MacArthur.
CAP BUILDING (FORMERLY PRICE MANSION)
LOCATION
Justice Romualdez Street, Tacloban City
DESCRIPTION
An example of the American colonial home built in 1900.
ATTRACTION
Sturdy mansion where General MacArthur put up his official headquarters and residence during the liberation of the Philippines in 1944.
MacArthur stayed for three months at the spacious Price Mansion (now the College Assurance Plan Building), along Justice Romualdez Street, an American colonial house built in 1910 by American businessman Walter Price.
Here, the general escaped injury when a Japanese bomb penetrated the roof over his room but failed to explode. The building suffered a direct hit from a bomb dropped by a Japanese warplane. The hole left by that attack can still be seen.
TACLOBAN CITY HALL
LOCATION
Atop Kanhuraw Hill, Tacloban City
DESCRIPTION
Landscaped garden with concrete tables and chairs; canteen; function hall; City Tourism Office.
ATTRACTION
Seat of the City Government of Tacloban since June 12, 1952; overview of Tacloban City, Cancabato Bay, San Pedro Bay, San Juanico Strait, Cataisan Point and Samar Island; surrounding Philippine-Japan peace memorial markers.
MARIA KANON MADONNA OF PEACE SHRINE
LOCATION
At the foot of Kanhuraw Hill, Tacloban City
FACILITIES
Benches, lamp posts, altar for offerings.
ATTRACTION
Situated on a tranquil little valley you can find this landscaped garden with a statue of the Goddess of Peace called Maria Kannon donated by the Japanese people.
The Madonna of Japan sits in what is sometimes known as the Japanese Peace Park. This statue was a gift to the Philippines from Japan as a symbol of peace and friendship.
The statue was fashioned by a Jappanese sculptor from a solid piece of rare miyagi rock; scenic view of Samar Island and Kankabato Bay.
STO. NINO CHURCH
LOCATION
Corner Real and Zamora Sts., Tacloban City.
FACILITIES
Catholic Church with daily masses; conference room where religious meetings are held.
ATTRACTION
The Sto. Niño Church which is also known as the Church of Liberation is considered the most important religious site in the province. It houses the infant Jesus, Señor Sto. Niño de Leyte, Tacloban City's patron saint. Its orange-painted belfry is instantly visible from the plane as it approaches the airport. Masses are held daily both in Waray (local dialect) and English.
CRUCIFIED CHRIST AND THE MAP OF LEYTE PILGRIM MONUMENT
LOCATION
Kanhuraw Hill, Tacloban City.
FACILITIES
Fountain with wishing pond adorned with floating candles, lamp posts.
ATTRACTION
Near City Hall is a very large piece of artwork of a crucified Christ figure. The artist says that when he saw a relief map of Leyte, that he envisioned the crucified Christ there. The statue has a crucified Christ on one side and a topographical map of Leyte on the other.
CALVARY HILL,
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
LOCATION
On top of the hill above Serin District overlooking Tacloban City.
FACILITIES
Place for prayer and meditation on the Passion of Christ.
ATTRACTION
The 14 Stations of the Cross in more than life-size concrete forms leading to the 18-foot statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
PALO METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL
LOCATION
Palo, Leyte; 12 kms. from Tacloban City.
DESCRIPTION
Catholic Church; landscaped grounds; gold-plated altar and stations of the cross carved by local artist.
ATTRACTION
Converted into an evacuation hospital of the Allied Forces of Liberation and refuge of civilians during World War II. Founded in 1596 by Augustinian friars; view of the famous Hill 522 overlooking Palo.
HILL 522
LOCATION
Palo, Leyte 12 kms. from Tacloban City, plus trekking 522 ft. up.
DESCRIPTION
Clearing site for camporals, picnics and healthful climbing
ATTRACTION
Commonly called Guinhangdan (root word: "hangad"; to look upward) Hill, was the entrance to the first liberated town of Palo in 1944 after having been heavily bombarded to destroy the garrisons built by the Japanese artillery units; foxholes built by the Japanese still exist; memorial marker built by Mie Prefecture.
HILL 120
LOCATION
Dulag, Leyte, 34 kms. from Tacloban City.
DESCRIPTION
Landscaped garden with tropical flowers and shrubs; benches, concrete tables with canopy; restroom, open-air stage where memorial programs are held.
ATTRACTION
Hill where the first American flag was raised by the Liberation Forces of the U.S. Army on October 20, 1944 after the fall of Bataan; Catmon Hill and battle sites of Leyte Valley; panoramic view of Leyte Gulf and surrounding coastal towns.
JAPANESE WAR MEMORIAL
LOCATION
Brgy. San Diego, Burauen, Leyte; 52 kms. from Tacloban City.
DESCRIPTION
Canopy of native design; remnants of airfield built by the Japanese soldiers during World War II; flower garden where the Japanese visitors offer gifts and prayer for their dead.
ATTRACTION
Site of one of the fiercest battles fought in Leyte for the liberation; Japanese cemetery frequently visited by memorial tour groups.
MAHAGNAO NATIONAL PARK
LOCATION
Burauen, Leyte, 66 kms. from Tacloban City
ATTRACTION
Established as a national park since 1937; awe-inspiring craters, hotsprings, multi-colored muds and rocks, lakes, virgin forests with giant ferns and orchids, lagoon, and temperate climate.
TORPEDO BOAT
EXTREME RIDE
LOCATION
Barangay Tenani in Paranas, Samar,
about 100 km from Tacloban City
ATTRACTION
This one-hour boat (21 km) boat ride along Samar's longest river brings tourists back to nature.
What makes the "Torpedo" boat ride truly remarkable is the natural scenery the route provides. The first leg of the boat ride, about 10.5 kilometers downstream, ends up on a secluded, tranquil place that is surrounded by a forest - the natural habitat of exotic flora and fauna.
Torpedo boats are 4-meter long wooden boats without outriggers but have elevated sides to prevent water from getting in and the boat from easily tipping. Each boat has five seats with backrests and inner rails for tourists to hold on as well as to protect their hands from getting hurt when the boat hits a boulder along the way during the challenging trip.
Built especially for river trips, the sturdy Torpedo boats are each powered by a 16-horsepower engine and manned by experienced boatmen. A boatman or stern person stays at the rear of the boat while a "point man" stays in front, at the bow. Both are in-charge of maneuvering a boat and of ensuring the safety of passengers during the trip.
The river boat ride downstream is challenging but not nerve wracking. It starts in calm waters, passing through some waterfalls seen at the riverbanks. Then ripples start to appear, followed by rapids that are encountered especially in shallow and narrow areas like in the place called sinisikuhan, or bended elbow, where the water moves fast at the river bend. Riders have to experience splash of water hitting their faces as the boat speeds away.
But the boatmen - having the skills to run the rapids, the knowledge of river maneuvers and keen eyes to spot obstacles - can safely bring the passengers to their destination despite the fast moving water and the rocks or boulders that sometimes block the way.
LAKE DANAO
LOCATION
Ormoc City, 125 kms. from Tacloban City
ATTRACTION
A violin-shaped lake 2,100 feet above sea level and 3 km long.
Lake Danao is covering an area of 148 hectares in the island of Leyte. The area around it is the 2,193-hectare Lake Danao National Park, which also includes the Amandiwin mountain range.
Hemmed by cloud-capped mountain ranges of undetermined depth, wild animals roaming its surrounding forest, it's a hunter's paradise. The lake is said to be the habitat of a giant eel.
CUATRO ISLAS
LOCATION
Towns of Inopacan and Hindang, Leyte; plus pump boat ride
ATTRACTION
Four lovely isles namely, Digyo, Apid, Mahaba and Himokilan bordered by white sandy shore; surrounded by beautiful coral gardens, the best in Leyte island. A total of 287 species of reef building corals can be found in the islands waters; rich fishing ground. breathtakingly beautiful sunset on summer evenings; museum for specimen on wildlife.
