Butuan City sights and landmarks guide

Much is expected to see when a place is recognized to be highly urban and seat of trade. Butuan City will take you to a tour to its famous historical landmarks, breathtaking islands and commercial avenues to make your trip worthy of your time and money.

You can start the day by viewing some pre-Hispanic artifacts at the National Museum that has two exhibit galleries. The Archaeological Hall displays the metal crafts, coffins, pots, stone and metal crafts, and gold. The Ethnological Hall exhibits the cultural communities of lowland Butuanons, Higaonons, Mamanuas and Manobos. The Balangay Shrine Museum in Libertad and Private Antique Collections will also allow you to discover the old boats called balangays and antiques that were important in the past.

The landmark of Butuan City, Mt. Mayapay is also a must-see. It’s a 700-meter tall mountain that gives you a wider view of the lowland assets, the Agusan Valley, Agusan River and beach resorts like Tubay Mountain Beach Resort, Inland Resort Hotel and Almont. It’s named after Madjapahit Empire that left a mark of influence to Southeast Asia in the 11th century.

 After nature’s appreciation at Mt. Mayapay, you can drive yourself to your next pit stop, the Diocesan Ecclesiastical Museum at St. Joseph Convent. If you must, you’ll appreciate a collection of liturgical arts used by Catholic missionaries who settled in the country thousands of years ago.

If you have ample time, you might want to eat brunch or early lunch yet not until after visiting Sto. Niño Diocesan Shrine. It was in this church that Portuguese world explorer Ferdinand Magellan brought the Holy Child image called Senor Santo Nino before it was brought to Cebu City. A festival called Kahimunan is celebrated every third Sunday of January on the same date as Sinulog Festival of Cebu City. If you’re touring at this time, it will be more fun as you witness street dancing and parade of colorful floats. If you’re traveling in August, make sure to set it in time for the Adlaw Hong Butuan Charter Celebration so that you can enjoy street parties and the so-called Palagsing Festival. A day-long Abayan Festival is also an exciting happening you should see every last Sunday of July. 

Besides city landmarks and beautiful resorts, your trip to Butuan City will be a festive getaway. To make sure of that, visit during the third week of January or first week of August.