A Gardenscape: What to See at the New Baguio Botanical Garden

After our quick tour of the Mines View, we headed directly to Botanical Garden. However, we decided to park at Wright Park under a shade of a tree and walked our way to Botanical Garden. It was just a 10-minute walk.

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_{Related blog:
A Panoramic Mountainous and Lush View at Mines View Park, Baguio City}

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I prefer it that way since I enjoy walking to a place full of swaying trees and a cool breeze brushing through me. The sidewalk and the highway are clean. What amazes me is the patterned yellow grooved lines at the center of the sidewalk, it is for blind people. It was my first time seeing it. Or maybe I've seen it somewhere else but didn't get the chance to be curious about it. While walking, I couldn't help but think how nice it would be to live in a place like this.

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BAGUIO BOTANICAL GARDEN

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Baguio Botanical Garden may not be the first on the list when it comes to going to Baguio, but it definitely must be on the list when going there. Aside from Pines, Baguio is known for its Panagbenga Festival or the Flower Festival.

The Botanical Garden has been closed to the public for 10 months and underwent renovations. But early this year, it was announced to be opened to the public once again.

Just a few meters from the entrance, I can tell the place was crowded. People were lining up to take pictures of the wall with huge signage and beside it was carved pictures of the indigenous people of Baguio City.

Though the place had a cool breeze, the sun was at its peak at that time since we arrived four minutes before noon. I didn't get a chance to take a whole photo of the gate with the signage and the carved art because of the crowd. We immediately lined up to pay for our entrance worth 10 PHP only (5 PHP for kids).

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CENTENNIAL GARDEN

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The first thing I saw upon entering the gate is a bronze sculpture of four people helping together to somewhat look like trying to move the four big rocks. It is situated right past the gate and at the center of nicely trimmed grass. The tourist can't go near the sculpture since there's a "Keep off the grass" sign.

The work-of-art bronze sculpture is created by the renowned Filipino artist Ben-Hur Villanueva. The four people depict the original builders of the city who worked together. It is composed of Cordillera natives, Americans, Chinese, and Japanese. _Source

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SUNFLOWER GARDEN

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On the left side, facing the sculpture, there is a rectangular arc of flowers, which shows that it's the start of our long walk. There's a small coffee shop on the right side, and I regret not ordering one. On the left side is a map containing the different sections of the garden and the variety of flowers in it.

Beside the map is the sunflower garden, which, unfortunately, wasn't in full bloom. Sunflower is my favorite flower, and I was disappointed to see less than five only.

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DAHLIA GARDEN

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The Dahlia garden is in front of the Sunflower garden. It feels like it has grown just recently since the majority are like bushes, whereas some sprout much taller. It was my first time seeing so many Dahlias - it was beautiful and delicate to look at.

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ARBOR

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Instead of going straight from the Sunflower and Dahlia garden, we took a right turn and walked our way into an arbor. It was a challenge to take a photo with no photobombers. The entrance was filled with green vines, and the ceiling was filled with hanging white vines.

As you go further, another set of vines hangs from the ceiling. I tried looking for their names and it says Spanish Moss (the first one) and Scarlet Clock Vine (the second one). While walking, I imagined how romantic it would be to walk here at night with lights all over the arbor.

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CITY OF VAUGHAN FRIENDSHIP GARDEN

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For me, this part of the Botanical Garden has the very definition of flower fields. The Dwarf Cosmos surrounded the trees and the Twin City marker. And behind the marker, just a little over to the left side is the Pagoda or view deck, which is also surrounded by the flower field.

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THAILAND FRIENDSHIP GARDEN

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Taking the left turn, it's another garden and spot to see, which is the Philippine-Thailand Friendship Garden. There are statues of elephants with a marker behind them: Thai Elephants in Baguio. These elephants are surrounded by Yellow Marguerite flowers and the behind them are towering trees.

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CACTUS AND SUCCULENTS

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Following the pathway, we reached the cactus and succulents area. They were placed inside a greenhouse. The area is not that big, but it was maximized and filled with different kinds of cacti and succulents.

This is where I took my time to capture every nook and cranny. When I came out, my phone was superheated and I was drenched in sweat.

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CORDILLERA VILLAGE

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Aside from the plants, Botanical Garden has a Cordillera Village, wherein the tourist can experience how to dress like the indigenous people. Nipa huts are also in this section.

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ORCHIDARIUM

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My attention span is limited only. Even though there were signs and took a picture of them, I tend to forget them easily when someone caught my attention. While Mik and I were on our way to the exit at the souvenir shop, I saw this semi-bulb-like form structure. The two boys were waiting at the souvenir shop, so I had a little detour and went to the orchidarium.

There were different kinds of orchids on the wall and hanging from the ceiling. There's wood in the center filled with orchids and other plants that were organized neatly. And aside from that, it was surrounded by benches, where you can stay a little longer and enjoy the view.

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WHAT DID I MISS?

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I was supposed to walk farther as I saw a Kung Fu panda statue and food stalls when I went out from the orchidarium. Too bad, it was past 1:00 PM and they were hungry already. With that, we missed going to a couple of landscapes in the Botanical Garden.

• Mini Bamboo Walkway
• Korea Garden
• Japanese Tunnel Walk
• Japanese Garden
• Fil-Chinese Friendship Park
• PMSEA Botanic Park

I had regrets that we went there a few minutes before noon. The vast place requires a lot of walking and sweating. I would recommend going there early in the morning in your most comfortable clothes and footwear, and also, bring an umbrella. There are many benches and picnic areas where you can rest.

While writing this, my urge to visit Baguio City again heightened because I missed some spots. Hopefully, it will be a three days and two nights vacation.

Next, I'll be sharing with you the scrumptious lunch we had in one of the restaurants near the Botanical Garden.