Vigan is one of the finalists in the New 7 Wonders for 2014. It became the seat of the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia and was called “Ciudad Fernandina” in honor of King Ferdinand. Vigan is also the capital city of Ilocos Sur. It was recognized by UNESCO for Best Practice in World Heritage Site Management recently.

Juan de Salcedo discovered Ilocos Sur in 1572 and decided to establish his headquarters in a settlement along the Mestizo River, then named “Kabigaan” because of the “gabi” like plants abundantly growing by the bank of the river, eventually named Vigan.

As a tourist attraction for both local and foreign tourists, it boasts of the following tourist attractions:

PADRE BURGOS HOUSE: It contains Ilocano artifacts and that of martyr-priest Jose Burgos as well as the ethnic arts of the Tinggians and the 14 Esteban Pichay Villanueva canvasses depicting the 1807 Basi Revolt. The museum is open from Monday to Friday and by appointment on weekends and holidays. Museum hours is 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. then 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

CRISOLOGO MUSEUM: Located along delos Reyes Street in Vigan, the museum houses the memorabilia of the late Congressman Floro Crisologo and original furnishings of a typical Vigan ancestral house. The museum is open from Monday to Sunday and is managed by the Crisologo family.

ANCESTRAL HOUSES: Kamestizoan District in Vigan is replete with ancestral houses with ancient tile roofs, massive hardwood floorings, ballustrades and azoteas in varying Spanish-Mexican-Chinese architectural styles.

ARCHBISHOP’S PALACE: It features sliding capiz windows and cut-out decorations with floral motiffs. Completed in 1793 after a span of 7 years, the palace has a collection of priceless ecclesiastical artifacts and relics from other Ilocos churches. Visits can be arranged from MWF 8-12, 1-4 and on TTHS 8-12, 1-5. The only surviving 18th century arzobispado in the country, it served as headquarters of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo in 1889 and the invading American forces under Col. James Parker in 1899; it was also the official residence of the archbishop of Nueva Segovia.

PAGBURNAYAN: The Ilocano jar called “burnay” used for storing the local vinegar, local wine “basi” and “bagoong”. It's is produced in factories using the pre-historic method in the southwestern end of Liberation Avenue in Vigan.

PAG-ABELAN: The “abel” is one of the oldest traditional craft of the Ilocanos. Products are blankets, table runners & napkins, towels, bags etc. One can see weaving done in barangays Camangaan, Beddeng Dauya, Mindoro, San Pedro and Cabaroan Daya.

MUSEO SAN PABLO: It is located at the back of the St. Paul’s Cathedral and where religious relics and artifacts are displayed. It is the first and only museum in the region committed to conservation through a distinct faith-culture approach.

SYQUIA MANSION: It houses the memorabilia of Pres. Elpidio Quirino. Open from Wednesdays to Mondays 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL: The massive structure was built by the Augustinians in the distinctive Ilocano earthquake baroque architecture in 1574 by Juan de Salcedo. The cathedral is the setting of many religious festivities attended by devotees from outside the province. The three tiered façade shows Chinese influence such as carvings of dogs placed near statues.

BALUARTE: This is the residence of Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson. It features an interactive Mini Zoo, Skeet Shooting Range, Butterfly Garden, Pony Rides and Function Halls.

PLAZA SALCEDO: Located west of St. Paul’s Metropolitan Cathedral, this elevated elliptical plaza highlighting the Salcedo Monument is known to be the oldest in Northern Luzon. It was where Gabriela Silang was executed by public hanging in 1763.

PLAZA BURGOS: Another plaza in Vigan named in honor of the Ilocano-martyr priest Father Jose Burgos. Nearby are food stalls selling native delicacies such as “empanada and ukoy.”

MIRA HILLS: Features a children’s museum, open ampitheater, water tank, picnic sheds and swimming pools surrounded by trees giving it a shady and cool ambience.

HIDDEN GARDEN: A privately owned landscaped orchard and backyard where one can go around and be close to nature.