The architecture of Po Lin Monastery is beautifully traditional—bright red pillars, golden Buddhist motifs, intricately painted eaves, and detailed woodwork. Inside the compound lies the Grand Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas—often referred to as the Hall of Thousand Buddhas. Completed in 2014, this sacred space showcases nearly 12,800 individual golden Buddhas, each positioned in niches along the walls, none exactly alike, creating a vast tapestry of Buddhist devotion.
Category: Wandering
Tian Tan Buddha
One of the most iconic landmarks in Hong Kong is the Tian Tan Buddha, or simply, the Big Buddha, perched high on Ngong Ping Plateau on Lantau Island. Standing at 34 meters tall, this massive bronze statue is visible from miles away, its calm and serene presence overlooking the lush mountains and sea.
Hong Kong Museum of History
Located in Tsim Sha Tsui, the Hong Kong Museum of History has long been a key destination for learning about the city’s unique past. For years, its signature exhibition, The Hong Kong Story, offered visitors a detailed walkthrough of Hong Kong’s transformation from a fishing village to an international city. Immersive displays, such as a life-size fishing boat and a recreated 19th-century street, made it one of the most popular cultural attractions in Hong Kong. However, in recent years, the museum has been shifting its focus, emphasizing Hong Kong’s role within the larger context of Chinese history and heritage.
Victoria Peak
Towering over the city’s skyline, Victoria Peak, or most commonly called The Peak, offers the best panoramic views of Hong Kong Island, Victoria Harbour, Kowloon, and even the distant green hills of the New Territories. It’s the classic postcard shot—but experiencing it in person is something else entirely.
Revisiting Hong Kong Disneyland on its 20th Anniversary
Hong Kong Disneyland first opened its gates on September 12, 2005, on Lantau Island as part of the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. Two decades later, the park has grown in both size and magic, and I had the chance to revisit just in time for its 20th anniversary celebration. My first visit was a long time ago, so this return felt like both a nostalgic trip and a fresh experience.
Laoag Cathedral
The story of St. William’s Cathedral, more commonly known as Laoag Cathedral, began in 1580 when the Augustinian missionaries established a parish in Laoag. The original structure was made of wood and thatch, typical of early mission churches. As the town grew, a more permanent church was planned. The stone foundations of the current structure were laid in 1612, marking the start of what would become a central feature of the city for centuries.
Sta. Monica Church of Sarrat
In the town of Sarrat, Ilocos Norte, the Sta. Monica Church stands as one of the most notable landmarks in the province. Known as the largest church in Ilocos Norte, it is especially recognized for the remarkable length of its nave. Built of red bricks in a mix of Earthquake Baroque and Neoclassical architecture, the church complex also includes a convent, a belfry, and a unique brick bridge staircase called the curillo, which connects the church and convent.
Ferdinand E. Marcos Presidential Center in Batac
The Ferdinand E. Marcos Presidential Center is housed in what was once the ancestral home of the Marcos family. The center is more than just a museum; it’s a walk-through of a highly influential—and controversial—chapter in Philippine history. As I stepped inside, I was welcomed by portraits, personal memorabilia, awards, documents, and even handwritten notes that offered a closer look at Marcos’ rise from a topnotch student and decorated World War II soldier to becoming the 10th President of the Philippines.
Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Assumption in Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur
Perched atop a hill overlooking the town of Sta. Maria in Ilocos Sur, the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption stands as one of the most remarkable heritage churches in the Philippines. Tt was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, included in the Baroque Churches of the Philippines, a collection of four Spanish-era churches noted for their adaptation of European Baroque architecture to local conditions, particularly earthquakes.
St. Anne Church of Piddig
The architecture of the St. Anne Church of Piddig is inspired by the Jesuit Church of Il Gesù in Rome, built in 1568. The baroque-style façade features massive buttresses that serve as columns and volutes adorning the pediment. Inside, the original wooden pulpit remains intact, along with the central retablo displaying an image of St. Anne cradling the young Virgin Mary. Though the bell tower now stands partially in ruins, it continues to add a sense of grandeur to the site.
Chavit Singson’s Baluarte in Vigan
Vigan’s Baluarte is known primarily for its zoological park, which houses a range of animals like ostriches, camels, zebras, ponies, and deer, as well as birds, reptiles, and big cats like lions and tigers. Some of the animals are kept in enclosures, while others roam in more open areas or are featured in scheduled animal shows.
Abolition of Tobacco Monopoly Monument in Laoag
The abolition of tobacco monopoly monument was erected in 1882 by then alcalde mayor (provincial governor) Don Jose Moreno Lacalle. It was built as a gesture of thanksgiving to King Alfonso XII of Spain, who abolished the tobacco monopoly that had burdened many communities in northern Luzon since the late 1700s.
Amoj In Wanderland 