Mirador Heritage and Eco Park

Background

Mirador Heritage and Eco Park is a five hectares multi-terrace landscaped park located at Mirador Hill in Baguio City. It offers visitors a panoramic view of Baguio City and its alluring surroundings. The attractions inside the Mirador Heritage and Eco Park are Loyola rock gardens, Archangels garden, Arashiyama bamboo grove, Manresa rock gardens, Our Lady of Montserrat rock gardens, Our Lady of Aranzazu rock gardens, Garden of the Immaculate Concepcion, Ifugao houses, Beatitudes arches and garden, basketball court, forest bathing area, pandemic healing memorial, prayer houses, Jesus Apostles Dap-ayan, La Storta gardens, Blue moon gate, Mirador Peace Memorial, Cafe Iñigo, Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, Kapilya Nina Jesus at Maria, Cordillera heritage garden, Marian Salubong view deck and Christ the Redeemer.

According to its history, Mirador Heritage and Eco Park was once a branch of the Manila Observatory in Baguio in 1901. A few years later, it became a villa house where Jesuits of the Ateneo de Manila took a break during the summer season. As the years passed by, it became a house of studies for the Jesuits of the Far East Province when the communists deported the Jesuits in China. Then in the year 1967, the house was opened for retreats and for gathering of Church groups. Presently, Mirador Heritage and Eco Park is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Baguio City with the vision of preserving the city heritage and its natural beauty.

One of the main attraction in Mirador Heritage and Eco Park is the Mirador Hill Peace Memorial. According to its history, it was inaugurated on December 14, 2020 during the year when the world remembered the 75th anniversary of the explosion of the atomic bombs over the Japanese cities of Hiroshima on August 6 and of Nagasaki on August 9, 1945. Year 1945 was also an eventful year for Baguio and the Philippines. On September 2, 1945 General Tomoyuki Yamashita was captured at Kiangan, then transported to Baguio on the following day for the signing of the instrument of surrender. By December 1945, Baguio and the rest of the Philippines were in the process of reconstruction and healing from war. A reminder of that war, now put to peaceful and even spiritual use is a pair of bells, each one half of an unexploded and neutralized American bomb dropped on Mirador Hill in 1945. One of the bells still hangs along the corridor, but one, the front end of the bomb where the detonator would be, is now hanging in Mirador’s Peace Memorial. It hangs under a Tori gate inspired mount which faces west toward the lowland and Lingayen where USAFFE troops landed in 1945.

Another attraction in Mirador Heritage and Eco Park is the Mirador’s Arashiyama Bamboo Grove garden which is a gift of Caesar and Melissa Wongchuking Family. It was named after Kyoto’s top sight and selfie walk, near the Tenryu-ji Temple, Mirador’s path through its heritage and eco park passes through rows of tall bamboo of the species Phyllostachys edulis “Heterocycla” that grows every now and then “tortoise shell bamboo”. It is called “tortoise” because the lower part of the bamboo from the root to about 60 centimeters can display the habit of shortened internodes alternately facing each other so that the internodes resemble a tortoise shell. It is called “Kikko” in Japanese meaning “tortoise” and is related to the edible Moso bamboo.

Mirador Jesuit Villa’s (MJV) gardeners sustainably harvest tortoise shells as part of its on-going maintenance of the bamboo grove to prevent it from becoming overgrown and unhealthy. Suitable canes are then cleaned, scraped, carved and ornamented while still fresh, then sun-dried for a week or more until the canes harden as moisture evaporates. These are then oil-stained and finished by Mirador Jesuit Villa staff. The tortoise shell staff are available for those who wish to use one while walking the trail of Mirador Heritage and Eco Park and to bring back as a souvenir of a place highlighted by the Department of Tourism (DOT) as one of a number of beautiful destinations in Baguio City. So if you’re planning a trip to Baguio City then don’t forget to visit Mirador Heritage and Eco Park.

Name: Mirador Heritage and Eco Park
Location: Mirador Hill, Baguio City, Philippines
Features: Mirador Hill Peace Memorial, Mirador’s Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto

My trip to Mirador Heritage and Eco Park

Mirador Heritage and Eco Park was not included in my itinerary during my Baguio tour but since I found out that it is roughly four kilometers away from the Baguio City proper and I have an ample time on the weekend I decided to go to this park. As soon as I arrived on the wide parking space, I walked to the right side towards the registration area. At the registration area I can see many tourists lining up to pay for the entrance fee. Then as I wait for my turn, I can see a map of the whole park as well as the many attractions inside.

When I started exploring the place, I easily noticed that the park is well maintained and there’s a lot of signages for different sections which is a good sign for visitors in order to not get lost in the park. Just right after the entrance area, at the left side I walk on the Mirador Arashiyama Bamboo Grove trail which is very similar to those found in St. Francis Xavier Seminary bamboo sanctuary. From here, I stopped for a few minutes to take pictures of the surroundings. Then it came to my mind that when I was a little kid one of my dreams is to visit Japan because of the two popular Anime named Rurouni Kenshin (Samurai X) and Mobile Suit Gundam Wing. One of the renowned scenes from Samurai X is the combat between two samurai in the middle of a bamboo forest. Anyway, it is lively being surrounded by bamboo trees just like in Kyoto Japan and from my perspective this is a perfect place for relaxation and reflection.

Then as I continue to roam around, I feel that the weather here is not too cold but I can feel a cool breeze around. After a few minutes, I reached the colorful Manresa Rock Garden and for some instance, I have a good view of the hills and valleys of Baguio City. Also to my surprise, I can see the seating areas around the park and for this reason I take a quick rest. Aftward, I continue going up the trail and three minutes later I have a nice overlooking view of the surroundings. Then I said to myself that this eco park is a great place to reconnect with God through his wonderful creation.

As I climb higher, I find the Jesuit Villa and Retreat House and along the trail I can see several statues of Catholic saints on top of the rock formation. Also, I was welcomed by lush greenery on both sides which was so relaxing and a few moments later I saw an Ifugao house where tourist can take pictures. In my opinion, the retreat house provides visitors a placid sanctuary for divine nourishment.

Then as I continued trekking uphill, I noticed that the park has so many Instagrammable spots where tourists can enjoy the breathtaking view and the peaceful ambiance. Subsequently, I am very near the famous Mirador Hill Peace Memorial so I climb faster and afterward I can see lot of couples and families lining up just to get a photo with the famous Japanese Torii gate. It is so windy there but the weather is so good and the view is exceptional. I can see the western section of Baguio City as well as the Lingayen Gulf.

To my way of thinking, this is the place where the awe of nature and the works of mortal hands meet in harmony. No wonder it’s one of the most photographed spots in Mirador Heritage and Eco Park. Then as I walk further to the right side, I can see an exit gate going to the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto. But before I went to the Catholic shrine, I took a break from all the walking and have snack at the Cafe Iñigo which is located at the top of the Mirador Heritage and Eco Park. The cafe has a great view of the city as it offers alfresco dining. 

After that, I walk towards the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto and to the left side I can see many visitors and devout Catholic light candles and offer flowers. To the right side, I found out that there’s a small chapel just beside the grotto where tourist can have a silent prayer. Without a doubt, the spiritual ambiance makes it a serene and reflective spot. Then after staying for ten minutes, I descend the 252-step stairway. Overall, my trip to Mirador Heritage and Eco Park is so worth it as I experience a Japan vibe in Baguio City. Every route goes to a different picture-taking spot and its an ideal place to unwind and exercise.

How to Go to Mirador Heritage and Eco Park

By commute

1. From Baguio City proper, ride a jeep at Kayang Street near the city market and tell the driver to alight you near the Dominican-Mirador Barangay Hall. The approximate travel time is twelve minutes and the jeepney fare is eleven pesos. 
2. From Dominican-Mirador Barangay Hall, walk your way towards the Mirador Heritage and Eco Park.

By private car

1. Open your Waze app or Google Maps on your cellphone and pin Mirador Heritage and Eco Park. 
2. From Burnham Park, take the Queen of Peace Road and Dominican Hill Road and later park your car at the designated parking area near the Mirador Heritage and Eco Park.
   
   
   
   

Reminders and Tips:

• The entrance fee in Mirador Heritage and Eco Park is 100 pesos per head. Note: senior citizen have a discounted entrance fee and children 12 years old and below is free of charge.

• Mirador Heritage and Eco Park is open daily to the public from 6 am in the morning up to 6 pm.

• Register with the guard before you follow the trail. Always follow the signs, and stay on designated trails within the park. Also, watch your step and if possible use walking sticks when you explore the rock gardens. Note: Mirador is not liable for any injury.

• Bringing pets are not allowed in the eco park.

• Mirador Heritage and Eco Park is a non smoking zone.

• Please observe proper decorum and solemnity of this sacred site by praying for peace and by keeping the place clean. Note: the ringing of the bell is reserved only for authorized persons on designated dates of the year.

• Throw your trash in the proper places and pick up any trash you find. 

• Do not eat in the park because this is a place for reverent prayer. Let God’s beauty feed you and the hunger of your heart.

• Bringing your own food is strictly prohibited inside the park. However you can bring your water and buy snacks, pastries and specialty drinks at Cafe Iñigo located at the top of the park.

• Wear comfortable hiking shoes because the walkways are rocky and a lot of uphill and downhill climb in the whole park.

• Your donation is for the maintenance of Mirador Heritage and Eco Park. Thanks for your generosity.

• There are designated restrooms and parking areas in the eco park. Please turn off engine while parked. Note: the parking fee is 25 pesos. 

• Check the weather forecast in Baguio City before visiting this place to have a great view.

• Last but not least, to avoid the long line of tourists waiting for their chance to take solo pictures at the Mirador Hill Peace Memorial, I suggest you go there early in the morning.
  
  
  

There you have it, lovely people. Every photo, every click, and flash on your camera has its own story. People give off a different kind of glow when they’re at a place where they can do what they love to do. On the whole, I hope that this blog has been gratifying to you. Enjoy your trip and stay safe.