Marawi City is a predominantly Muslim community in the Philippines‘ Lanao del Sur province. Comfortable, high-elevation weather makes this a popular retreat for summer visitors.
Lake Lanao is the main attraction here. It is the deepest lake in the archipelago and is considered one of the oldest lakes on the planet. Ornate mosques dot the shores of the lake, while the surrounding countryside is strewn with farmland and a few ancient torogan houses. These structures have high, sloping roofs.
Feeding the lake is the Agus River, the fastest flowing river in the Philippines. Boating is possible along certain segments of the river, but there isn’t much infrastructure for tourists. The scenery along the river is outstanding.
Moncado Colony is another highlight of Marawi City. Named for an author and humanities professor, the park has a few monuments and sculptures that may be of interest to visitors. More cultural exhibits are found at Aga Khan Museum on Mindanao State University’s campus.
The entire island of Mindanao gets a lot of bad press regarding conflicts between the government and Muslim separatists. While problems are rare, tourists tend to stay away, so that those who do come have the sites to themselves.
Getting There & Away
The closest airport to Marawi is in Cagayan de Oro and operates several flights per day to Manila and Cebu. Minivans and taxis from the airport can be chartered to Marawi. It is also possible to book a ferry from Manila to either Malabang or Iligan City and finish the journey overland.