Cebu City is the capital of the Province of Cebu and is the oldest city in the Philippines. Its boundaries are Mandaue City and the Municipality of Consolacion in the north, Toledo City and the Municipality o fBalamban in the west, Talisay City in the south and the Mactan Strait in the east. Known as the Queen City of the South, Cebu City is an important center of commerce, trade and industry in the Visayas and Mindanao.

How the city and the province got its name remains a puzzle for most historians. In fact there are a lot of theories how Cebu came to be known as Cebu.

Aside from being an important center for trade, commerce and industry, Cebu is also an important center for culture and the arts. Here are some of the exciting places to see when you are in Cebu City.

Magellan's Cross - Magellan Street (Downtown Area)
The Megellan's Cross is a replica of the original one, which was planted by Magellan during his arrival in 1521 to mark the spot where the first Christian Filipinos, Rajah Humabon, Queen Juana and their followers were baptized by Father Pedro Valderama.

Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño - Osmeña Boulevard (Downtown Area)
The Basilica del Santo Niño, which was built in 1565 by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Father Andres de Urdaneta, houses the oldest and most celebrated Christian relic in the country - the image of Señor Sto. Niño de Cebu (Infant Jesus). The image was given by Ferdinand Magellan as a gift to Queen Juana during her baptism in April 21, 1521. Afte being destroyed by fire, the structure was rebuilt in 1602 and then rehabilitated in 1740. Thousands of devotees gather at the basilica every Friday for the Novena and also during the Sinulog celebration.

Colon Street - Parian District (Downtown Area)
The Colon Street is considered as the oldest street in the Philippines. It was built by the Spaniards during the time of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. Named after Christopher Columbus, it is the heart of downtown Cebu, throbs with people from all walks of life and despite being highly-urbanized, there are still remnants of its beauty from the olden times. At present, it is lined up with shopping malls, restaurants, and other business establishments. An oelisk detailing its historical significance was constructed on its northern end along with the various markers placed in areas pinpointing sites o fhistorical and cultural significance on Colon Street.

Fort San Pedro - Plaza Independencia (Pier Area)
The Fort San Pedro is the smallest and oldest triangular bastion in the country, which waas built in 1565 and completed over a century and a half later. This fort was built primarily to protect Spanish settlers from the attacking pirates in the area. It has also witnessed the different changes in the history of Cebu island until much of it was destroyed during the Japanese occupation when it served as a prison camp.

Fort San Pedro National Museum - Plaza Independencia (Pier Area)
Located inside the Fort San Pedro, the museum displays the artifacts taken from the old Spanish Galleon, San Diego within the deep sea of Fortune Island off the coast of Nasugbu, Batangas. Artifacts excavated within the fort premises are also on display. Other artifacts on display include Ming porcelain pieces of all sizes, coins, lockets, sword fragments, cannons and helmets. Well-kept flower beds, cannons, lush vegetations and neat pathways align its interiors.

Heritage of Cebu Monument - Parian District (Downtown Area)
Located on the original Plaza Parian, the Heritage of Cebu Monument showcases the significant and symbolic events in the history of Cebu from the time of Rajah Humabon to the recent beatification of Cebuano martyr Pedro Calungsod. The monumental sculptural tableau is the work of national artist Eduardo Castrillo. It was constructed in July 1997 and inaugurated in December 8, 2000.

Taoist Temple - Beverly Hills
Taoist Temple is a concrete reminder ofthe well-established Chinese Community in Cebu City, who has contributed much to the industrialization of Cebu. The temple ws built in 1964 and is a classic example of Chinese architecture which houses the teachings of Lao-Tse, the 600 B.B. Chinese philosopher.

Casa Gorordo Museum - 35 Lopez Jaena Street (Downtown Area)
The museum is home of the first Filipino Bishop of Cebu - Juan Gorordo (1862-1934). Atour inside this residence is a brief journey into a Filipino lifestyle in a particular period between 1860 to 1920. The place presently features noted paintings, museum relics, a courtyard, antique household itmes and furnitures.

President Osmeña Memorabilia & CAP Art Gallery - 60 Osmeñna Street (Uptown Area)
Contains an estimated 500 personal belongings abd documents worthy of remembrance of the Grand Old Man of Cebu, made possible by various donations of generous friends and relatives of the former president.

Julian Jumalon Butterfly Sanctuary & Art Gallery - 20-D Macopa Street, Basak, Pardo (South District)
The country's oldest butterfly collection and Butterfly Santuary with live immature and adult stages of local butterflies in their natural settings. It also houses the Lepido Mosaic Art Collection of Dr. Julian Jumalon which utilizes butterfly wings as its medium for making eautiful and intricate artworks.

In April 2006, construction for the substructure began and work on the superstructure itself which was entirely made up of structural steel and aluminum cladding began three months after. The center was finished four months later sometime late November and was officially inaugurated on December 6, 2006.

The convention center features on International Media Center, a large Plenary Hall, an Exhibition Hall, and several Meeting Rooms equipped with world-class facilities.

Being an important center for trade and commerce, Cebu City is also teeming with hotels, pension houses, restaurants serving various cuisine and shopping centers. Among the famous hotels are Cebu City Marriot Hotel, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino, Holiday Plaza Hotel, Midtown Hotel and the Marco Polo Plaza. The shopping malls, such as the Ayala Center Cebu and the SM City Cebu, also offer a variety of restaurants aside from specialty boutiques.

Aside from tourist destinations, Cebu also offers prime properties for investors through the 300-hectare South Road Properties (SRP). The SRP is located a few meters off the coast of Cebu's central business district and has been declared a Special Economic Zone by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority. The reclamation project was designed for mixed land use and can accommodate establishments that cater to manufacturing, commercial, tourism, IT and other service enterprises. Abutting the SRP is the South Coastal Road, a 12-kilometer 4-lane highway, which makes the reclamation project accessible either through Cebu City or the southern cities and municipalities of Cebu province.

Getting There in Cebu City Philippines

Cebu City is accessible by land, air and sea travel. Buses bound for Cebu leave the terminals in Dumaguete, Oriental Negros and Bacolod, Negros Occidental every hour. There are also daily flights to Cebu via the Mactan-Cebu International Airport from the key cities in the country, as well as scheduled flights from Hongkong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Doha in Qatar, Narita in Japan and Incheon Korea. Inter-island sea vessels from key ports in the country also have daily trips to Cebu City.

Getting around Cebu City is very easy. Colorful jeepneys are the most common and affordable means of public transport. Taxicabs are also widely available. Tricycles or motorcycles with sidecars, habal-habals or motorcycles-for-hire and trisikads or bicycles with sidecars, are popular in the different barangays. Tartanillas or horsedrawn carriages can also be found in the Carbon Market area.

See also the Flight Schedules of Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Air Philippines from Cebu to Manila, Bacolod, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, Kalibo, General Santos, Puerto Princesa, Zamboanga and Davao and vice versa.

Philippine Tourist Destination