Pagadian City, the capital of the province of Zamboanga del Sur, is the regional center of Zamboanga Peninsula. With its combination of urban and rural areas, visitors of the City can enjoy a unique blend of comfortable urban development and a laidback rural community.
To fully enjoy the beauty Pagadian has to offer, here is a suggested list of activities and attractions not to miss when in the “Little Hongkong of the South.”
Ride the Iconic Tricycle
The tricycles have become a Filipino cultural icon. They are the epitome of our ingenuity and creativity. The style and design differ from region to region. The tricycles of Pagadian City have been featured a lot of times because of the unique inclination at 25- to 40-degree angle, which allows the tricycles to adapt to the city’s hilly terrain. The inclination adds stability to the vehicle as it traverses along the steep streets.
Mountain Trekking
For the adventurous travelers, Pagadian has three mountains to boast. There is Mt.Susong Dalaga, which literally translates to “Maiden’s Breast,” in Brgy Lourdes some 32 kilometers from the city proper. There is alsoMt. Pinokis in Lison Valley, which features forests inhabited by monkeys and gorillas. And Mt. Palpalan, at 684 feet above sea level, gives the visitor a sweeping view of urban Pagadian City as well as the neighboring municipalities and the deep sapphire waters of Pagadian Bay.
Hiking and Trail Walks
There are also hills for those who want to climb but are not yet ready for mountains. Dumagoc Hill is a coastal hill that was a former military reservation said to have contours following that of a heart. Bulatoc Hill, on the other hand, provides a breathtaking view of the whole city. It is also very accessible from Poblacion, located just 2.6 kilometers away. There’s also Bogo Hill some 4 kilometers from the city proper. The hill is a haven to agricultural land and offers a panoramic view of Pagadian Bay.
Explore the Beaches
There is also quite a number of beautiful beach attraction in Pagadian City. There is Dao-Dao Islands (Dako and Gamay), Puting Balas (White Beach), Mabait Beach, and Muricay Beach to name a few.
Go Spelunking
Pagadian City is truly an adventurer’s paradise. For those who are into spelunking, there are two caves in the City worth exploring. About 14 kilometers from the city property and 5 kilometers from Brgy Ditoray is Kendis Cave. It is an open-end cave with plants and vegetation with large overhead crevices with two interior chambers. Kendis Cave can be reached on horseback and currently under study. Another cave to explore is Manga Caves, which are twin caves along the two-layered Manga waterfalls.
Go on a Waterfalling Adventure
Pagadian City is also home to many wonderful waterfalls. Some of the known ones include Pulacan Falls located 12 kilometers from the city proper, Lison Valley Falls in the farthest barangay, the two-tiered Manga Falls 7 kilometers from the city proper, Lourdes Falls about 32 kilometers away, and Ditoray Falls 14 kilometers from Pagadian Poblacion.
Experience the Festivals
As a melting pot of rich cultures in the Zamboanga Peninsula, Pagadian hosts festivals throughout the year. It is highly suggested to time your Pagadian City visit with the festival schedules in mind. Annual festivities and traditions include Pasalamat Festival in January, Araw ng Pagadian in June, and Zamboanga Anniversary and Megayon Festival in September.
Check out the Musical and Dancing Fountain
One world-class attraction in Pagadian City is the Musical and Dancing Fountain at the 2-hectare expanse Pagadian City Plaza fronting Rizal monument. It was officially launched on September 23, 2011.
Staycation
For a more relaxed and luxurious stay, tourists may also opt to just stay in and just enjoy the amenities of the resorts and hotels.
Shop for Pasalubong
The best way to end any vacation is to shop for souvenir items for family and friends back home. Dried fish and dried squid top the list of pasalubong items when in Pagadian. Non-food gift options include malong, scarves, and shawls with intricate designs.
