You’re in Baguio and you’re wondering, “Should I add the Igorot Stone Kingdom to my itinerary?”
Is it a tourist trap?
An authentic experience?
Is it worth the visit?
If you’re asking any of these questions, well…
…you’ve come to the right place!
In this blog we’ll talk about:
- Fun facts about the Igorot Stone Kingdom
- What to expect at the Igorot Stone Kingdom
- How to get to the Igorot Stone Kingdom
- How much you’ll spend at the Igorot Stone Kingdom
- And more!
Ready to go?
Let’s dive in.
Igorot Stone Kingdom Fast Facts
- What: A fun theme park built to commemorate engineer Pio Velasco’s mother and honor the heritage of the Cordilleras people
- Where: 6 kilometers from Session Road, Baguio City
- Who: Great for people of all ages
- How: Best visited by taxi
- When: The opening hours of the Igorot Stone Kingdom are from 6AM to 6PM
Igorot Stone Kingdom Fun Facts: 3 Things To Know Before You Go
First things first!
Let’s get to know the Igorot Stone Kingdom a little more.
Igorot Stone Kingdom Fun Fact #1: It Was Built Because a Dream of a White Carabao
Imagine this.
You’ve dreamed of building a tribute to your heritage and ancestors, but you haven’t gotten started yet.
I mean, it’s a huge undertaking.
Think: a gigantic Stone Kingdom with walkways, caves, galleries, and even an outdoor theater.
But then March 2020 comes.
COVID and lockdown paralyze the entire world.
And one night, you dream of it:
The Igorot symbol for beginning new endeavors, the sign that it’s time to start.
The white Carabao.
This was the story of Pio Velasco, the man who built the Igorot Stone Kingdom.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, he had a dream of the mystical white Carabao, and from there he decided to work on his long-term dream.
Because of this, the majestic stone kingdom stands:
The Igorot Stone Kingdom of Baguio.
Igorot Stone Kingdom Fun Fact #2: The Igorot Stone Kingdom Was Built to Honor Pio Velasco’s Mother
Pio Velasco loved his mother.
In one of the Igorot Stone Kingdom’s many bulletins, she is described as a quiet force, a strong woman whose character prevailed even in sickness.
So the giant rock structures don’t only stand to honor the people of the Cordilleras and Igorot heritage.
They’re also the story of a son’s love for his mother, a lasting memento in life’s turbulence and fragility.
Igorot Stone Kingdom Fun Fact #3: The Stone Structure Is 6,000 Square Meters Large
Yes, this beautiful open-air park of terraces, balconies, and tunnels is not small.
It’s sprawling, languid, sloping gently up and down as it hugs the mountain.
And it’s more than just stone towers.
There’s an art gallery too, where local painters display their latest works and a disabled artist creates stunning portraits using his feet.
There are little shops selling everything from strawberry candies to Igorot-inspired clothing.
There are tiny parks where you can take photos, or simply sit, unwind, and enjoy the largeness of the sky.
The park is substantial, unexpected, a place you can spend an hour or two exploring.
Igorot Stone Kingdom: 3 Things to Expect at This Cordilleras Heritage
Ok, so you’re wondering if the Igorot Stone Kingdom is your kind of thing.
Should you go or not?
To help you out, here’s a little more about the place and what you can expect there.
Igorot Stone Kingdom Things to Expect #1: Stunning Stone Architecture
Yes, Pio Velasco is an engineer, and he knows a thing or two about buildings.
Also, he’s a descendant of the Cordilleras, people who live under the open sky, within winding rice terraces of blazing yellow-green.
The Igorot Stone Kingdom is a feat to represent both.
It was created using Igorot stone engineering, and it’s modelled on the lustrous beauty of the Cordilleras rice terraces.
So if you love history, stories, and engineering, a place like this might be interesting to you.
Igorot Stone Kingdom Things to Expect #2: Fun
Ok, so here’s the thing about the Igorot Stone Kingdom.
It’s not really a serious place.
It’s not a 100-year old heritage composed of stones covered with moss.
Dungeons where real prisoners suffered.
Stone tools used by real natives.
Nothing like that.
What it is?
A fun park.
I might even say a theme park.
Ooops.
But before you get discouraged and cross this out of your list altogether, here’s something else about it.
It’s a fun place to go.
There are costumes you can rent for PHP100, where you can pose on the ramparts pretending to be Igorots in the old days.
There are Igorot dances performed by local schoolboys.
There are tons of snacks, from juicy, sour green mangoes with salt and chillies, to banana chips.
So sure, it’s not some serious, colossal structure that has been there for centuries.
It’s a fun park that’s also quite beautiful in its own way.
So if you’re on a trip with the kids or love to pose for photos?
This place will be enjoyable to you.
Igorot Stone Kingdom Things to Expect #3: Some Cool, Hidden Nooks
Spend enough time in the Igorot Stone Kingdom, and you’ll find a few hidden gems.
Like the cave in the image above.
The eerie amber glow of the torches on either side of the passageway.
Or the statue of the white Carabao, a close likeness of the one Pio Velasco saw in his dream.
Or a number of placards and bulletins offering fun facts about the Igorot people and their rich history.
Think of this place as a museum of sorts, where you can learn a thing or two about different people and their ways of life.
If you’re the type who likes to explore and find little interesting nooks and curiosities, you will enjoy your time at the Igorot Stone Kingdom.
How to Get to the Igorot Stone Kingdom
The Igorot Stone Kingdom is located 6 kilometers from Baguio City’s main center, Session Road.
The best way to get there is by taxi.
Here’s a tip for you, though.
When travelling to the stone kingdom, it’s a good idea to ask the driver if he’s willing to wait as you explore, then take you back to the city.
Why?
Because the Igorot Stone Kingdom is a bit isolated, and you might not easily find a ride back to your hotel.
Besides that?
It’s pretty easy to get to the stone kingdom.
All Baguio City drivers know where it is, so all you have to do is find a taxi and hop in!
The fare will be PHP150-200.
How Much You’ll Spend at the Igorot Stone Kingdom
Quick answer: not much.
However, like all touristy places, the more you do the more you spend.
Also, keep in mind that (also like all touristy places) things here are a bit overpriced.
So here’s a quick idea of the things you might spend there:
| Item | Price |
| Entrance Fee for Adults | PHP130 |
| Entrance Fee for Kids | PHP100 |
| Igorot Costume Rental | PHP100 |
| Fruits (Sold in Plastic Tubs) | PHP100 |
| Photography | PHP100 |
| Souvenirs | PHP200-1,000 |
No, you won’t spend too much at the Igorot Stone Kingdom.
But it’s a good idea to bring some cash, as most of the vendors don’t have the means to process cards.
Another tip: small bills are perfect!
Is the Igorot Stone Kingdom Worth a Visit?
OK, now it’s time to get really honest.
Is the Igorot Stone Kingdom really worth a visit?
I’ve been thinking about it, and here’s my answer:
It depends!
I mean, everything in life “depends.”
Right?
Better question: Do I regret visiting it?
No.
It was a fun experience, and I like knowing what it’s like there.
I now have some memories that will never fade (laughs, the bite of cayenne pepper sprinkled on sour mango slices, the purple mountain air beneath pines, the light sweat and cold air).
Another question: Would I go back there?
Also, no.
It’s not a place to keep returning to.
It’s the kind of place you visit once, think, “AH, so this is it,” and never again return to.
Now, for a trickier question.
If I had known what it was like, would I have scratched it off my list and done something else?
My answer: Maybe.
The reason is because it’s not really my kind of place.
I like old, wild places.
Places with a lot of history.
With moss covered stones touched by tribesmen who have been under the earth for hundreds of years.
With ghosts and memories.
This theme-park like memento was, to me, created for someone else entirely.
But hey, you’re not me.
Maybe you like theme parks.
They’re a lot of fun, plus you brought the kids along and you want them to experience something new but also kid-friendly.
By all means, go!
So really, there’s no one answer to whether or not the Igorot Stone Kingdom is worth visiting.
It all depends on who you are, what you’re looking for, and what type of experiences you enjoy.
Igorot Stone Kingdom: Ready for a Visit?
Ok, so you’re in Baguio.
You searched on Google, and one of the places that popped up in suggestions:
Igorot Stone Kingdom.
Ready for a visit?
Yay!
Go on, then.
Bring a sweater for the cold mountain air (but don’t forget that you’re also going to sweat a little as you make your rounds of the place).
Get ready to take some photos (local artists do have some fine art displayed there).
Stuff your wallet with small bills for the photo on the walls wearing the striped red-and-black costumes the Igorot people love, or the small bag of pomelo slices with biting salt and cayenne pepper.
And most of all…enjoy!