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DAVAO CITY
- City Town, the city center, has two main thoroughfares: San Pedro St. and Claro M. Recto Ave..
- The old City Hall, along San Pedro St., was the old municipal building built in 1926.
- The new City Hall is located within Osmeña Park, formerly known as the Plaza, was the site of the settlement of early Davaoeños.
- Camp Domingo Leonor, along San Pedro St., was the quarters of the Spanish and, later, of American soldiers in the 1920s.
- The Monument of Peace & Unity, along San Pedro St., was unveiled during the celebration of the Philippine Centennial in 1998. It depicts the peaceful relationship of the migrant and indigenous inhabitants of Davao in the last 100 years.
- The Battle Memorial, a historical marker at Mintal Elementary School, commemorates the longest-fought battle between the troops of the American forces and of the Japanese Imperial Army which took place in Mintal, Tugbok District.
- Fort of Datu Bago, at the junction of Washington St. and Quimpo Blvd., was the site of the bastion of the Muslim hero Datu Bago who lorded over the Tagloc River, the old name of Davao River.
- Old pre-World War II Japanese houses, warehouses and the site of abaca processing plants are located in Daliao, Toril, 12 kms. from downtown.
- The Bago Oshiro Experimental Station, in Mintal, is located 14 kms. from the city. It features projects involving cross-breeding of native fruit trees, along with orchids, ornamental species and abaca plantations.
- Japanese Peace Memorial Shrine, at Mintal, is where Japanese war veterans and their kin take a pilgrimage to visit this memorial shrine.
- The Japanese Peace Memorial and Cemetery, in Brgy. Catalunan Grande in Mintal, is located 9 kms. southwest of the city. Big groups of Japanese war veterans, widows and their kin visit here held in August during Annual Reunion for Peace and the Obon, Japan's version of All Souls' Day.
- Memorial to a Brave Son, a memorial marker at Gov. Generoso Bridge, was built in recognition of the gallantry of Armando Generoso, who died at the very site of the bridge while defending it from the Japanese invaders during World War ll.
- Caroland Resort, in Inigo Farms, Bago, is located 13 kms. south of the city. This 60-hectare bird and wild duck sanctuary is dotted with abandoned huts and is also noted for its fruit orchards and multi-colored carp. It offers horseback riding, boating and fishing in a hyacinth-filled pond. It also has tent grounds for mountaineering groups climbing Mount Apo like the National Mountaineering Foundation. 8-1651, 7-8074.
- The 4.5-hectare Davao Fish Port Complex, at Sitio Daliao, Toril, serves as the center for the collection, processing, storage and packaging of fishery and marine products for distribution to Davao City's area of influence and to the export market. It is the only transshipment point in the Philippines and is a center of trade within the East Asian Growth Area (EAGA).
- The 5.4-hectare Crocodile Park, along Diversion Road in Maa, shelters over a hundred of the country's two crocodile species: Crocodylus mindorensis and Crocodylus porosus. They range from foot-long juveniles to a full grown 18-footer named Pangil (probably the country's largest living crocodile in captivity). The crocodile farm and nature park also houses rare birds of different colors as well as hawks, wildcats, snakes (including an 11-foot Indian python named Buloy), and monkeys.
- Marilog District, known for its rugged beauty, is a popular locale for agricultural and eco-tourism. Located 4,200 ft. above sea level, it has lush ethereal forests and vegetation, amazing caves, waterfalls, rivers and mountain trails for the adventure travelers. Baganihan Caves, located here, has huge chambers abounding with stalactites and stalagmites. Small lakes can also be found inside.
- The Mt. Apo Science Foundation, in Brgy. Eden-Bayabas, Toril, is an Asia Foundation and University of Mindanao-supported college located 27 kms. from the city. Its sprawling campus is located high and cool on the foot of the mountain and offers good birdwatching and a fine view of Mt. Apo.
- Nenita Stock Farm, in Marapangi, Toril District, is locally called Pork's Park. Located 18 kms. from the city, this livestock farm, one of the biggest in the country, breeds pigs, cattle and racehorses on the lower slopes of Mt. Apo. It also has fruit orchards, organic gardens and offers artificial insemination and hog raising lectures and seminars, horseback and trail riding, fishing and 4 x 4 offroad trailing. Its Muslim-inspired Malayan House, built in the 1960s, has a panoramic view of the city, Davao Gulf, Mt. Apo and ramie/sorghum plantations. Visit by arrangement with DOT. Davao City sales office: Damosa Complex, Lanang. Tel: 234-0582. Fax: 234-0581. Manila sales office: 411 Quirino Ave. corner NAIA Road, Parañaque City. Tel: 833-3988. Fax: (632) 833-6285.
- The 80-hectare Eden Nature Park and Resort, in Brgy. Eden-Bayabas, Toril, is located in the southern part of the city, 2,630 feet above sea level towards the foot of Mount Talomo. It has towering pine and fruit-bearing trees, a cool climate plus a spectacular view of the city, Davao Gulf and beyond. It also shelters a number of deer, monkeys and Indian peacocks. Tel: 299-1020, 296-0791 and 299-0313. Fax: 299-0313.
- The sprawling Malagos Garden Resort, at Malagos in Baguio District, is nestled on rolling terrain 1,000 feet above sea level. It has a butterfly sanctuary, natural lagoon, fishpond, a showcase of National Artist Napoleon Abueva's sculptural artworks (Abueva in the Gardens), tall durian trees and rare orchid garden. Open 8am-5pm. 226-4341 & 560-5129. Fax: 560-5128. Davao City sales office: Puentespina Orchids and Tropical Plants, Bolcan St., Agdao. Tel: 295-0393, 221-1545 and 227-2288. Fax: 221-1395. Manila sales office: Puentespina Orchids and Tropical Plants, Scout Bayoran St., Quezon City. Tel: (632) 924-2730, 929-9306 & 926-0159. Fax: 924-1271.
- Riverford Nature Park, located beside a river in Catalunan Grande, has picnic huts, flower graden, gazebo and rest rooms. Tel: 224-1835 and 227-1096.
- The San Pedro Cathedral, built in 1847, has Islamic elements incorporated into its design. The old altar, featuring antique images of St. Peter and different saints, is preserved at the cathedral's right wing.
- The Shrine of the Holy Infant Jesus of Prague, at Matina Heights in Matina, is located six kms. west of the city. It stands on a hill behind the Davao Memorial Park and contains an open-air chapel, the altars and replicas of sacred images from Prague and Fatima, restaurant, retreat house, seminar hall, pilgrim's hall, children's playground, canteen and souvenir shop. To get there, take a 10-min. Matina-bound jeepney.
- Lon Wa Temple, along J.P. Cabaguio Ave., is located 3 kms. in the direction of the airport. The biggest Buddhist temple in Mindanao, its gold, bronze and Italian marble altars, houses the Buddha with the Thousand Hands, a magnificent statue of the Buddha and his life depicted in wood carving. A monk will read your fortune from slips of paper, determined by a numbered stick you draw from a container. It is set amidst a landscape of candle trees and bamboo.
- Magsaysay Park Complex, along Sta. Ana Ave., is located near the wharf beside an authentic Muslim village with Badjao houseboats and suite houses. It has an amphitheater, skating rink, children’s playground and restaurants and kiosks. Tel: 221-7123 and 221-6279.
- Clifford Park, along Roxas Ave., is located beside Marco Polo Hotel
- Millennium Park, along Roxas Ave., is located beside Ateneo de Davao University
- Rizal Park, along San Pedro St., is fronting City Library
- The five-hectare Greenhills Orchid Farms, at Yuhico Orchid Garden, at Catalunan Pequeño, is the biggest in the city. Tel: 299-1063 to 65.
- At the back of Assumption School, along Bolcan St. in Agdao, is Puentespina Orchid Gardens. Tel: 295-0393, 221-1545 & 227-2288. Fax: 221-1395.
- Worldwide Derling Orchids, at 17 Olive Road, Bajada, is located 12 kms. southwest of the city. Tel: 221-3688, 221-3588, 221-6455 & 291-0770.
- Chua's Orchid Garden (Rubia St., Mintal)
- Gumban's Orchids (Liceralde Village, Lanang)
- Mindanao Federation of Cutflower and Plant Growers (Minflo Mart, Brgy. Pampanga, Sasa)
- The two-hectare Sul Orchids (Luzviminda Village, Ma-a, tel: 244-0653, 244-1229 & 293-0036).
- Gray sand beaches are located two kms. from the city center. Its length curves around the city's coastline. Talomo Beach, in Talomo, is located 8.5 kms. south of the city center. It was the landing site of Japanese and American forces during World War II and sunken vessels, awaiting exploration, lie beneath its murky waters. It has a number of resorts.
- Bago Aplaya Beach, located 12 kms. out, also has a number of resorts hugging its fine sandy shores. Times Beach, in Matina, is located 4 kms. south. It bustles with Sunday picnickers.
- Bonguyan Beach
- Guino-o Beach (Sitio Binugao, Toril)
- St. John's Beach (Sitio Binugao, Toril)
- The Philippine Eagle Sanctuary and Wildlife Preserve, at Malagos Gardens, Baguio District, near Calinan, 36 kms. northwest of the city, is a nature park spread over a large forest preserve and planted with different fruit-bearing trees. It is home to 14 endangered Philippine eagles (Pithecophaga jeffreyi) as well as other indigenous birds (serpent eagles, Brahminy kites and cockatoos) and wildlife (tarsiers, wild deer, pythons). Tel: 224-3021. 224-3022. Open daily, 8am-5pm. To get there, take a 1-hr. drive or a jeep to Calinan from Bankerohan Market. At Calinan Public Market, take a 30-min. (5-km.) tricycle ride to the center. You can also take a 45-min. airconditioned bus ride from Aldevinco Shopping Center.
- The Children's Museum, at the corner of Tulip Drive and R. Quimpo Blvd. in Matina, was designed for children to experience, explore and learn the world of modern technology. It has a computer center, speech center, television and recording studio, library and resource center, mini-theater, mini botanical garden, souvenir shop and canteen.
- The Dabaw Museum, at Insular Village I, Lanang, is located next to the Insular Century Hotel Davao. It features dioramas of the Mansaka and the Bagobo, photographs of the city's historic events and history of its pioneering families; ethnological maps, ethnic artifacts from the region's numerous tribes such as weaves, musical instruments, basketry, burial, wedding and war implements, souvenir shop and a gallery of paintings, sculptures and ceramics. Open Mondays to Saturdays, 9am-5pm. Tel: 235-1876.
- The Davao Historical Society Museum, at Door No. 7, Magsaysay Complex, features the historical and indigenous collections of the Davao Historical Society such as ethnological artifacts, paintings of local artists and various memorabilia of Davao’s pioneering settlers.
- The Japanese Museum, in Calinan, 30 kms. southwest of the city center, is a repository of Japanese art and culture. It features historical accounts of the Japanese community residing in Davao before and during the war including their tools which they used in the abaca plantations (including a vintage abaca stripping machine), currencies, publications, among others.
- The T'boli Weaving Center, formerly the Mandaya Weaving Center, is a traditional T'boli shelter located behind the Davao Insular Hotel. It showcases the T'boli highland tribe's lifestyle. Here, women in colorful tribal attire demonstrate their traditional skills in dyeing dagmay (abaca fibers) with root and mud dyes, weaving native cloth (t’nalak) and decorating textiles with intricate figures and patterns depicting the folklore and religion of the tribe. Tel: 7-6061.
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