CNN names Vigan City as one of Asia’s most beautiful towns

Vigan
Horse-drawn carriages among the Spanish colonial era architecture in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur. Picture via Wikimedia Commons.

News network CNN has named Vigan as one of the “most beautiful towns” in Asia for its heritage and Spanish colonial-era architecture.

In a statement today (Wednesday, September 4) the Department of Tourism (DOT) welcomed the selection, agreeing that Vigan’s heritage and food made it “a picture-perfect site and deserving of the spot” in CNN’s list.

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“The CNN citation of the City of Vigan means that sustainable tourism is not just about environmental protection but also the preservation of the country’s history and culture,” Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said.

In its list, CNN described Vigan, in Ilocos Sur, as “one of the best places to experience Spanish colonial-era architecture in Asia”.

The Plaza Salcedo, including the white and yellow Saint Paul’s Cathedral and the Calle Crisologo, were cited as three must-visit areas in the city.

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CNN also mentioned the city’s public market and pottery workshop that gives tourists an opportunity to craft traditional earthen jars.

Vigan, established by the Spanish in 1572, is a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage City.

Selected as one of the New Seven Wonders Cities in 2014, Vigan’s attractions also include food adventures with its established culinary scene that features classic native dishes, such as Bagnet, a deep-fried crispy pork belly dish; Poqui-poqui, a mixed vegetables dish; and Empanada, a stuffed fried pastry.

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As well as Vigan, other picturesque Asian towns included in CNN’s list of 13 were Hoi An in Vietnam, Yufuin in Japan, George Town in Malaysia, Luang Prabang in Laos, Kampot in Cambodia, Phuket Town in Thailand, Sai Kung in Hong Kong, Zhouzhuang in China, Kota Gede in Indonesia, Galle in Sri Lanka, Mawlynnong in India and Ghandruk in Nepal. 

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