Known around the world as one of the most exotic places on Earth, the Philippines archipelago is indeed home to some of the most amazing natural treasures you’ve ever seen. From perfectly shaped active volcanoes, to underground rivers and mysterious geological formations, the Philippines sports a variety of tourist attractions, just waiting to be discovered. With 7,107 islands making up the Asian archipelago, one can only fantasize about discovering all the Philippines’ wonders, but you can certainly focus on its most impressive:

Mayon Volcano

Photo by glorius

Towering up at 2,642 meters, Mount Mayon is the most beautiful and, at the same time, dangerous volcano in the Philippines. Known as the “perfect cone” thanks to its almost symmetrical cone shape, Mayon Volcano was named after the legendary heroine Daragang Magayon (Lady Beautiful).

Photo by 13763480@N03

Filipinos from the province of Albay have always been fascinated by the beauty of Mount Mayon, but they’ve also feared its destructive power. The volcano’s first eruption was recorded in 1616, and since then, it has gushed out lava 47 seven times, the worst one being in 1911, when the town of Cagsawa was buried, and 1,300 people died.

Chocolate Hills

Photo by 28674126@N02

Beautiful, mysterious and romantic, the Chocolate Hills of Bohol Island are one of the most memorable sights in the Philippines. Concentrated mainly in the center of the island, the 1,268 cone-shaped hills range between 30 m and 120 m in height, and got their unusual name from the brown color of the vegetation that covers them.

Photo by paw_con

There are many theories regarding the formation process of the Chocolate Hills. Some say the results of coral deposits rising, while others suggest they were shaped by winds and erosion, but most people choose to believe the legend of two fighting giants, who threw boulders at each others, in ancient times.

Banaue Rice Terraces

Photo by Magalhaes

Often referred to, by Filipinos, as the “Eighth Wonder of the World” the 2,000 year old Banaue Rice Terraces were carved into the mountainside of Ifugao, with rudimentary equipment, often only by hand. Covering an area of 10, 360 km, at heights of 1,500 m above sea-level, the ancient Banaue Rice Terraces are a truly breathtaking sight.

Photo by JohnMarcel

Supplied, with water, by an old irrigation system connected to the rainforests above, the rice terraces of Ifugao are still used to plant rice and vegetables. But, with the popularity of the terraces as tourist attractions, is ever growing, most of the younger Ifugao folk opt to work in the tourism business, rather that farm. Sadly, without proper care, many steps of the terraces are constantly eroding.

Hundred Islands

Photo by kamoteus

Spread over an area of 4,557 acres, Hundred Islands National Park consists of 123 small islands scattered throughout Lyngaien Gulf, in the Pangasinan Province. Millions of years old, these marvelous islands are actually ancient corals, shaped like mushrooms, by the constant ocean waves.

Photo by Emir214

Only three of the islands, from Hundred Islands National Park, have been set up for tourists, with cozy guesthouses and nipa huts, but you can find a variety of cheap hotels in the nearby Alaminos City.

Puerto Princesa Underground  River

Photo by Paul Chin

Also known as Palawan Underground River, because of its location on the island province of Palawan, Puerto Princesa is the world’s second longest underground river and the main attraction of the Puerto Princesa Underground River National Park.

Photo by Handtell

The 8.2 kilometers of navigable underground river winds through chambers and corridors filled with formations of stalagmites and stalactites, and just before it flows into the Sea of China, the Palawan Underground River passes through a cave. In recognition of its beauty and unique characteristics, the underground river of the Philippines was added to the UNESCO Heritage Sites List.

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