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CEBU CITY SIGHTS

Cebu takes pride in being the country's oldest colonial city. Many landmarks attest to the richness of its history.

On April 14, 1521, Magellan planted a cross to mark the spot where some 800 natives - led by Rajah Humabon and his wife, Queen Juana - were baptized into the Catholic faith. The original cross is now encased in a hallow hardwood cross and can be found in a roofed kiosk along Magallanes Street.

As a baptismal gift to Queen Juana, Magellan gave a black image of the Infant Child which, on April 27, 1565, managed to remain unscathed after a fire razed Cebu to the ground. The Basilica Minor del Santo Niño was built by Captain Miguel Lopez de Legaspi and Fr. Andres Urdaneta on the spot where the miraculous icon was found. The religious statue has since been enthroned in the basilica, with the original kept inside the convent and a replica enshrined at the church's side altar.

From mainland Cebu, Magellan crossed the channel to the island of Mactan in an effort to spread Christianity. The chieftain Lapu-lapu, together with his warriors, resisted the attempt and killed Magellan as he reached the shore. A monument now marks the site.

Fort San Pedro, located at Cebu City's wharf area, was the nucleus of the first Spanish settlement in the country. The fort has been turned into a museum-park.

Colon, the country's oldest street, was built at the Parian or Chinese District. Located at the heart of downtown, it is a busy commercial center by day and a lively entertainment belt by night.

The seat of the provincial government is an imposing building of pre-Pacific War vintage rising majestically along Osmeña Boulevard.

Located at the center of the boulevard is Fuente Osmeña, named after Cebu's Grand Old Man, the late Commonwealth President Sergio Osmeña, Sr. A favorite strolling park among locals, the circular Fuente becomes even more alive in the evenings. Within the park is a skating rink.

The University of San Carlos was established by the Dominican fathers on the site of the former Jesuit-run Colegio de San Ildefonso, originally founded in 1595. Its museum on P. del Rosario Street has an extensive collection of anthropological and biological artifacts.

The Southwestern University Museum located on the Urgello Private Road, takes pride in its large collection of pre-colonial and colonial artifacts as well as its Filipiniana Research Center.

Casa Gorordo, along Lopez Jaena Street, is the ancestral house of the first Bishop of Cebu and affords one a glimpse of affluent Cebuano lifestyle, circa 1800.

The Jumalon Museum, Butterfly Sanctuary and Art Gallery in the Basak district was the private museum of the late lepidopterist Professor Julian Jumalon. His garden continues to be a haven to thousands of butterflies and his salon features mosaics made of butterfly wings.

The Cebuano's Chinese heritage is very visible and one of the more popular destinations in the city is the Taoist Temple, located at the highest elevation of the Beverly Hills Subdivision.

Devotees, meanwhile, go to the Heavenly Temple of Charity at the Peace Valley in the Lahug district.

Yet another pilgrimage spot is the Celestial Garden where life-size replicas of the 14 Stations of the Cross are spread in a 12-hectare property within Banawa Hills.

Crown Regency Hotel and Towers, Cebu City, Crown Regency Suite, Mactan Cebu

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MUST SEE ATTRACTIONS
Cebu Beaches
Mactan Island - The "diving mecca of the south" and a coral island where deluxe beach resorts are located.
Moalboal, Southwest of Cebu City - White sandy beaches and excellent coral reefs for scuba diving.
Malapascua Island - White sandy beaches and crystal clear waters, also ideal for swimming and snorkeling.
Bantayan Island - Famous for beautiful coral reefs and white sandy beaches ideal for diving.
Camotes Island - Long stretches of white sand beaches plus an exciting waterfall and Bukilat Cavern.
Island Hopping - Motorized outrigger boats take you to (Caohagan, Hilutungan, different islands to bask on white sandy Nalusuan, Cabul-an Islands) beaches or simply explore the sea.

Eco-Tourism Destinations
Olango Bird Sanctuary, Olango, Cebu - Features the largest concentration of migratory birds found so far in the country and serves as a refueling station as well as wintering ground for the birds.
Nalusuan Island & Marine Sanctuary - Famous for astounding presence of marine life and is a superb area for different Olango Reef, Cordova, Cebu aqua sports activities.

Historical Landmarks - Fort San Pedro, Magellan's Cross, Magellan's Marker, Lapu-lapu Monument, Heritage of Cebu Monument, Colon Street, University of San Carlos, Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño, Casa Gorordo Museum, Image of Sto. Niño, Capitol Building

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