Dubbed the ‘Little Hong Kong of the South’ for the mountains that hem in the city, Pagadian is capital of Zamboanga del Sur Province in the Philippines. This is an area with few tourists and plenty of natural beauty.
Most of the local attractions center on the landscape, and tourists will find that there is not much in the way of facilities. Popular destinations include islands and secluded beaches backed by mountains. Hiking and horseback riding are popular ways to explore the countryside.
The volcanic activity of the Philippines has opened up craggy rock faces, deep caverns and hot springs, all of which are popular sightseeing attractions. The city itself has basic facilities, including an array of budget and mid-range hotels along Napsallys Street.
Getting There & Away
Pagadian serves as gateway to the region, with SEA Air and Asian Spirit flying in from Cebu and Manila. The port receives a small amount of passenger traffic, but the vast majority is set aside for shipping. Buses connect to Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga among other major cities on Mindanao.
Things to Do
Pagadian Attractions
- Twin Caves
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This is an up-and-coming tourist attraction with caverns and two tiers of waterfalls.
- Mt Palpalan
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Looms 684 feet above the city and offers panoramic views of the entire area. bulatoc hill is another place to get an elevated perspective on pagadian.
- Boating
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Tourists can charter a boat and visit white beach (a five-minute ride) or dao dao islands (a ten-minute ride).
Side trips from Pagadian
- Lison Valley
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A popular picnic spot, this valley boasts a waterfall within 25 miles of the city proper.
- Hot springs
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There are two popular places to enjoy the springs, namely springland resort and lourdes hot and cold spring.