A Travel Back in Time

Vigan, the capital city of Ilocos Sur province, used to be a bustling coastal trading post and settlement of Chinese merchants even before Spanish colonization. It was further forged as a trading center under the Spanish rule with its participation to the Manila- Acapulco galleon trade.

Vigan is included on the 1999 Unesco Heritage List for being a well-preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia. Its Grid-patterned streets lined with cobblestones and old Hispanic structures that showcase a unique blend of European architecture with Filipino, Chinese and Mexican design and construction elements, have surprisingly remained intact.

Vigan City is recognized as one of the New7Wonder Cities of the World alongside Beirut, Doha, Durban, Havana, Kuala Lumpur and La Paz.

We’re like time travelers who transported back to the Spanish colonnial period.

The king of the road! Horse-drawn carriages still rule the streets of Vigan to this day.

Night strolling at the Mestizo district, searching out for mestizoes (men of mixed race). 😜

A makeshift shed made out of a calesa (horse-drawn carriage) along Calle Crisologo.

Antique displays, brick walls and wooden furniture complete the hispanic-Philippines ambiance.

Havana oh na na! She’s feelin’ like a latina oh na na!

Souvenir shops line up the streets. Whether you’ll buy or not, don’t forget to take selfies!

Bricks, wood and clay.. Here I am tryin’ to slay!
 
References
http://vigancity.gov.ph/city/
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/502
https://cities.new7wonders.com/wonders/vigan-philippines/