Baguio

This is the Philippine's upland, pine-clad retreat from the heat and dust of the lowlands, albeit not a very tranquil one. Baguio (bah-gee-oh) is a university town that boasts one of the Philippines’ largest student populations (250,000) and is also a crossroads between hill tribe culture and lowland settlers. For most travelers, Baguio serves as the primary gateway to backpacker bliss up north in Sagada, Banaue and Kalinga.

Sadly, thousands of jeepneys, taxis and tricycles are responsible for almost unbearable levels of smog in the city center, and long-time Baguio dwellers wax nostalgic about the days before SM Mall marred every view and traffic-clogged every street. Away from the traffic-snarled city center, Baguio is airy and pleasant. If you’re returning from the mountains, the small-scale urban mayhem, nightlife and burgeoning restaurant scene are actually refreshing.