Laoag Sightseeing

As the capital city of Ilocos Norte, Laoag City represents the best that the island province has, especially with respect to tourism. As you take a tour of the city and the places in the vicinity, be sure to drop by the following places.

Cape Bojeador Lighthouse

If you drive approximately 27miles (45 km) north away from Laoag City you’ll end up in Cape Bojeador, where one of the oldest and tallest lighthouses in the Philippines can be found.

The lighthouse, built in 1892, faces the South China Sea, and if you are on a ship passing by the area, you will still see it giving out signals, a glorious reminder of ancient days gone by.

St. William’s Cathedral

Constructed in 1612 at the behest of the Augustinian friars, the cathedral is widely recognized and praised for its architectural design, which bears a strong resemblance to the works of the Renaissance masters.

Right beside the entrance of St. William’s Cathedral is an image of San Guillermo, the patron saint of Ilocos Norte. Although it sustained heavy damage from a fire in the 1700s and an earthquake in the late 1900s, it has been extensively rebuilt. One of its most notable attractions is the Sinking Bell Tower, which lowers into the ground at about an inch per year.

Gameng Museo Ilocos Norte

Ilocos Norte has always been recognized for its diverse culture, which have given it a unique heritage and history. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the Gameng Museo Ilocos Norte, where all the cultural variety come together.

The location itself is historical, as it is set in Tabacalera Warehosue in Laoag City, which used to be the hub of the tobacco industry during the Spanish period. Once inside you will see that the various local tribes, from the Isnegs to the Igorots, are well represented.

There are artifacts galore from all the towns, including Laoag, from local handicraft, clothing, jewelry, and more. The focus of most attention is on the ancestral house. As an added bonus, you can purchase souvenirs from shops nearby.

The Tobacco Monopoly Monument

Adjacent to St. William’s Cathedral is the Laoag Plaza Complex, where the monument is found.

The edifice was built in 1882 by the local populace as a tribute to the Spanish monarch, king Alfonso the 13th, who eliminated the Tobacco Monopoly, which had been a constant source of suffering for the people. Aside from admiring the statue, one can also find some irony in the sense that the industry is still a powerful
source of livelihood among the people today.

Paoay Church

Not far from Laoag City is the town of Paoay, where you will find the Paoay Chruch, which has been duly recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Its formal name is the St. Augustine Church, and it has become very popular among travelers owing to its structure, a mix of the Oriental, Baroque, Renaissance and Gothic elements. Its complex design meant hard work; indeed this cathedral took more than a century to fully complete, commencing in 1704 and finalized it 1804.

Not far from the church is a historic bell tower, which played a pivotal role in the Philippine Revolution as it served as a watchtower of the freedom fighters.

The Bacarra Bell Tower

Any visitor to Laoag should take advantage of the opportunity to check this man made wonder out. It is called the bowing acrobat tower of Southeast Asia, and is famous not just in the capital but the whole province.

The tower itself was built in the 15th century and suffered extensive damage when an earthquake struck in the early 1900s. Despite the damage, the bell is still perched on the tower, a sight to behold.

The Bangui Wind Farm

Another popular attraction of Laoag City and Ilocos Norte is the Bangui Wind Farm. It is a place you will definitely run into, as it is only a few minutes away from the world famous Pagudpud beaches.

The town of Bangui itself is quite beautiful, and its history and location are reasons enough to visit. Today however, the development of 15 wind turbines, towering over 70 meters (230 ft) is drawing even more people in. It is not unusual to spot tourists having their pictures taken near these massive structures.