Benguet is a highland province at the southern tip of the Cordillera Administrative Region in the Philippines. The landlocked province is also known as the Salad Bowl of the Philippines since it is a good producer of upland vegetables.
The province of Benguet has a cool climate with an average record low temperature of 13.3 degrees Centigrade during the month of January. During this month, crops in high altitude towns are damaged by the seasonal frost.
Agriculture, mining and tourism are the major industries of this province. Horticulture and floriculture are popular in Benguet. The province supplies flowers to areas as far as Metro Manila. Roses are produced in abundancy in Bahong, La Trinidad which earned itself the monicker of being the Rose Capital of the Philippines.
Benguet is also considered one of the country’s leading gold producer through Benguet Corporation, the first and oldest mining company in the country.
The province of Benguet is predominantly mountainous and is situated within the Cordillera mountains. The highest mountain in Luzon, Mt. Pulag, is found in Kabayan, Benguet. There are multiple natural lakes within the hinterlands of Benguet.
Baguio, most popular city in Benguet Province
The highly urbanized city of Baguio, popularly known as the Summer Capital of the Philippines, is located in Benguet. However, Baguio is administratively independent from Benguet Province.
Benguet has a booming tourism industry, with Baguio as the premier tourist destination of the province. Baguio is home to popular places like Burnharm Park, Mines view Park, The Mansion, Wright Park, and the Philippine Military Academy to name a few.
Where to travel when in Benguet
Every island in the Philippines has something more to offer the enthusiastic travel nomad and adventurer. Here are just some of the places worth visiting when you’re in Benguet.
Kapangan town
This town is endowed with a wide assortment of caves, historical sites and ancient ruins.
Historical sites includes Camp Utopia in Sagubo which serves as the camp of the 66th Infantry Battalion during World Ward 2.
The Guerilla Saddle in Atok is the place where thousands of soldiers died during the Japanese occupation.
Kaliwaga Cave is where British fortune hunters and soldiers of fortune were buried during the 15th century.
The Darew Ancient Ruins is located at the top of a mountain west of Kapangan. Burial grounds and ancient artifacts are found in this ruins.
La Trinidad
La Trinidad is the provincial capital of Benguet and is situated adjacent Baguio city.
This place has numerous coconut tress and has many strawberry fields. Visitors can pick strawberries from different farms. Amazing strawberry products such as strawberry ice cream and strawberry jam are also available. The municipality has a Guinness World Record for making the world’s largest strawberry shortcake.
La Trinidad is also a famous supplier of cut flowers such as roses.
BenCab Museum
The expansive museum in Tuba, Benguet is managed by National Artist for visual arts, Benedicto Cabrera.
The museum has an extensive art collection for contemporary art and indigenous objects from the Cordilleras. It also housed several art pieces from the maestros of the country.
Mount Pulag National Park
The park is known to many avid mountain climbers. Mount Pulag is the third highest peak in the Philippines. The mountain is bordered by the provinces of Benguet, Ifugao and Nueva Vizcaya.
The park is inhabited by many tribes such as the Ifugaos and the Ibalois. The sacred mountain has 528 documented plant species and is the natural habitat of the endemic Dwarf Bamboo. It is also home to many threatened mammals such as the giant bushy tailed cloud rat, the long haired fruit bat and the Philippine deer.
Find out more places to go in Benguet on your future travel destinations.