Surroundings of Cebu City

1. Mandaue, an industrial city to the North of the Cebu city. It is the connected to Mactan Island via two bridges, the Mactan-Cebu Bridge and the Marcelo Fernan Bridge. There are conducted tours of the San Miguel Brewery, ending with a sampling session in the reception room at the top of the building, from which there are fine views. As of 2000 census, Mandaue has a population of 259,728. The city was founded by Jesuits at the beginning of the 17th century. The church of San Jose has a painting of the Last Supper with life-size figures, a work unique of its kind in the Philippines. During Holy Week a Passion play is performed in Mandaue. 2. Mactan Island is reached from Mandaue by a toll bridge opened in 1973 from which there is an attractive view of the harbour. The bridge is 864 m long, with a central span of 112 m; the roadway is 23 m above water level, allowing large vessels to pass under the bridge. Mactan Island is also known for its scuba diving and beach site. A road on the right beyond the toll-booth leads in a few minutes to Lapu-lapu, a town of more than 217,000 inhabitants, was founded by Augustinians, under the name of Opon, in 1730. In the market square is a statue (erected in 1933) of the famous native chief who defeated Magellan. In Lapu-lapu and the surrounding area are many workshops, both industrial and family-run, making guitars and other musical instruments, using wood from Mindanao; visitors are welcome to look round the workshops (and of course to buy the products). The island has beautiful beaches (Hadsan Beach, Santa Rosa). To the North is an airport, one of the most modern in the Philippines. On the northern coast, reached by picturesque roads shaded by coconut palms, is the spot where Magellan was killed in 1521, with a commemorative monument erected in 1866; the distance from the bridge is 9 km. 3. North of Cebu. 33 km from Cebu City is Danao City, as 2000 census its population reached at 98,781 founded in 1844. The name comes from the native word danawan (shallow lagoon). Danao is said to have been the first town in the Philippines to have asphalted streets. Its Plaza and City Hall are claimed to be the finest group of buildings in the Philippines. Danao City is well-known for its gun industry. Beyond Danao the road continues, passing beautiful beaches, to Sogod (60 km) and the Cebu Club Pacific, bathing beach famous for its sub-aqua diving site and nude beach. 4. The south and west. On the West coast, 50 km from Cebu, is Toledo City as of 2000 census, it has a population of 141,174. Here can find the headquarters of the Atlas Consolidated Mining Co. Visitors can be shown round the mines. The town was founded in 1853. Located 89 km south southwest of Cebu is the Moalboal which offers white sandy beaches, and popular site for diving. A road runs South across the island via Naga. At Carcar, 40 km from Cebu, turn right on the road to Tangil, which passes the beautiful Mantayupan Falls. Mantayupan Falls in Barili is one of the tallest waterfalls in Cebu.