Laoag Sights and Landmarks Guide, Philippines

Laoag city has much to offer visitors and tourists, alike. Its rich history predates the Spanish colonial times and is very much evident in the city’s architecture. A vacation in Laoag city is a trip into the history of not just the city, but of the entire Philippines.

A fascinating tourist attraction in Laoag is the Tobacco Monopoly Monument that is located in the city. This memorial was built to commemorate the lifting of the tobacco monopoly by the Spanish government in the year 1881.

One can trace the history of tobacco and its impact in not just the Philippines but in the entire world while visiting the Tabacalera Museum located in the city. Here you can find antique tobacco and cigar making machines used by the Spanish. You can also see a vast array of pipes made from rare materials like gold and silver to beautifully crafted horn and hardwood pipes.

Another unique place to visit is the Sinking Bell Tower located in the heart of the city. This was originally built by the Spanish friars in the resettlement of the city. This is termed as the sinking tower because it is slowly sinking into the earth because of its foundations. The Acrobatic Bell Tower located in Bacarra is also another sight one must see. It suffered damages during an earthquake in the 17th century resulting to its unique structure. Even with the damages, the bell tower has not collapsed even after this time, thus giving it the name The Acrobatic Bell tower.

The memories of the regime of dictator and former President Marcos are very much evident in the province. Here you can find the ancestral home of the Marcoses in Batac called “Balay Ti Ili”. It is here that you can also find the famed summer house of the Marcos family called Malacanang of the North or the White House of the North. This is a grand palace that overlooks the Paoay Lake and was one of the 29 summer houses built by Ferdinand Marcos at the height of his power. Here, the family entertained guests in lavish parties, water skiing or golf. At present, this is now a museum that showcases the late president’s memorabilia.

If you want to see a spectacular view of the surrounding areas, visit the Cape Bojeador Lighthouse in Burgos. Built during the Spanish colonization period, this is still operational until today. One can climb to the top to take in the scenery and to snap a couple of photos as souvenirs.