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Take a break at the Majestic System of Waterfalls in La Union


The rustic province of La Union is gifted with majestic waterfalls surrounded by a foliage of forest and a canopy of trees that greet visitors with a warm and sweet charm.

by Jane Dacumos on June 21, 2012

The rustic province of La Union is gifted with majestic waterfalls surrounded by a foliage of forest and a canopy of trees that greet visitors with a warm and sweet charm. For tourists who want a thrilling adventure, you can drop by the Tribal Hall for information from the tribal leaders and barangay officials. You can have a worthwhile trek where miniature waterfalls await you.

The sound of flowing water will give you a feeling of excitement. Here are some of the magnificent waterfalls that La Union is very proud of.

1. Going to the east, you will see the Zim-sim-ug Twin Falls which has an estimated height of 20 feet and a basin depth of eight to nine feet. Zim-sim-ug got its name from the Kankanaey dialect which in Iloco means Timtim-ug. In Filipino, it is translated to "nag-uumpugan" which literally means "banging of heads". Locals said the falls was named by their ancestors because of the rocks that collide at the common basin of the rare twin waterfalls. Zim-sim-ug Twin Falls helps the farmers in irrigation.

2. Going down southwest, another must-see falls is the Pad-tok Falls. Its name originated from Kankanaey dialect again, which means lagto. In Filipino, it means "talon" or "jump". The falls was named that way because of the rocks that were falling from the top of the falls down to the basin. Although it has an estimated height of 22 feet, it has a shallow basin because of the usually weak flow of water.

3. The combined water of the falls all meet in one main waterfall called Tekdag-aso which is located west of the bedrock. In Ilocano, Tekdag-aso means "Hulog-aso" in Filipino. According to elders, it is a perfect trap for dogs, a favorite local delicacy. Once a dog falls into the deep, circular, and high primary basin made up of solid rock, the poor victim can no longer escape and will eventually die of drowning. Going down the falls will let you see the wide and enchanting basin which is perfect for swimming.

4. The enchanting Tuddingan Falls in the Municipality of Naguilian, promises a fantastic view, showcasing clean and strong water. This towering beauty of about 70 feet has a man-made pool-like base which makes it more tempting for swimmers, especially for those who love to make daring dives by jumping from its perfectly formed multi-layered rock strata. Visitors have the luxury of walking on a 700-meter cemented pathway with grills beside Bagulin Road up to the hill overlooking the waterfall.

5. Lon-oy Spring is located between Barangay Lon-oy and Barangay Bayabas of San Gabriel, La Union, having an area of approximately 10 hectares. The spring consists of numerous natural springs, three deep waterfalls, and pristinely clear and invigoratingly cool waters.

6. Anito Falls is a unique waterfalls located in Santol, La Union. It is an enormous waterfall which is one of the prided attractions of the province. It cascades into a very deep water called ban-aw, having the depth of about 20 meters. Be careful when clinging around the falls because the sides are so steep.

How to get to La Union?

From Manila, there are various bus lines that offer trips to La Union. Air conditioned bus firms (Dominion Bus Lines, Philippine Rabbit, Partas, Fariñas, Maria de Leon, and Viron) depart from terminals in Manila bound for Ilocos. The destination can either be La Union, Narvacan, Vigan, Laoag, or Abra.

San Fernando City, La Union's capital, lies 273 km. from Manila. Travel time is about 5 hours by land and 30 minutes by air. Also, it is about an hour’s drive from Baguio City.

Getting around La Union! You can take jeepneys and mini-buses with fixed routes at a minimal fare. Tricycles (motorcycles with sidecars) are commonly used to access must-see places in between towns. Rented transportation that plies this town is also available, which will bring you to the city proper.

Nearest Accommodations: There are many inns, pension houses, and hotels located in and around San Fernando.
•    Oasis Country Resort - Sevilla, San Fernando City, La Union, La Union, Philippines
•    Thunderbird Resorts - Poro Point Poro Point Freeport Zone, San Fernando, La Union, La Union, Philippines
•    China Sea Beach Resort - China Sea Beach Resort
•    Hotel Ariana - Paringao, Bauang, La Union, La Union, Philippines
•    Bali Hai Beach Resort - Parungao, Bauang, La Union, La Union, Philippines

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