Cebu didn’t always have all the buildings that we see today, just like how plain the area around the Cebu Provincial Capitol was.
Now, buildings and infrastructure stand among the tall trees in Cebu.
There is more to be expected. More people, more infrastructure, more cars. There is a price for more things to be made, though. More people means less space. More buildings means much more competition. More cars means more traffic. It is no joke when they say that change is constant. It is real, and a glance around the Cebu City view can justify that statement.
Years before the places to travel in Cebu were opened, the city was a sleeping giant waiting for its chance in the spotlight. The Queen City of the South and its neighboring areas were seen as business sectors on the rise. Companies took a gamble and opened offices in Cebu, and they are now staples in the city’s commerce industry.
There are beautiful places that are now considered iconic, which were only disseminated through word-of-mouth. The rise of social media has made making itineraries when visiting Cebu much easier.
If you travel back to Cebu after a long tenure abroad, you will be surprised with its changes. A sleek and modern terminal is now built at the Mactan-Cebu Airport, and more hotels situated nearby. A new mall by the sea, one of the biggest in the Philippines mind you, has been set up and running. There’s even more places for leisure activities like amusement parks and photogenic hangout spots.
Time flies fast and Cebu isn’t that bench player waiting for his chance to play anymore. He is now a bonafide starter.
This is how the center of Cebu was before all the buildings were erected.
There are a lot of plans for infrastructure projects at South Road Properties.
Infrastructure
The construction of many high rise buildings around the city is one factor that changed everything. If you noticed in the earlier times, there weren’t as many businesses operating on the island. There were some buildings, but they weren’t that tall. As time went on, things either got bigger or changed completely.
It’s not going to stop there, with so many projects still in the works that both locals and foreign tourists are all excited to experience. You can expect several new places to open where you can shop, dine, and celebrate.
We already have two big infrastructure projects in South Road Properties, SM Seaside Cebu and Cebu Ocean Park, but there are more coming, as there are plans to create a new business sector near Il Corso with the Isla de la Victoria. Targeted to be finished by the end of 2021, this project aims to bring a new business sector for Cebuanos and tourists alike.
This could be the biggest project in SRP in terms of activity, but the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) could change transportation in Cebu as we know it. This 8.5 kilometer highway aims to link Cebu City with the municipality of Cordova in the north. This makes it easier for travelers to get to the northern countryside. The project is also slated to be finished by the end of 2021, and it is said that you will be able to have a view of this new spot from any Cebu skyline near SRP.
These projects are expected to be finished anytime soon. In the meantime, there are still several high rise buildings within the city. There’s the Crown Regency, a tall hotel found in Osmeña Boulevard for those who want to have a good Cebu aerial view. This building is special for its height at 160 meters (520 feet), and it offers several services that cater to those bird’s eye view enthusiasts.
Cebu City is finally turning into Central Visayas’ concrete jungle. Day and night, it’s now a city that never sleeps. Different places are filled with the lights and sounds of cars and passengers. Cebu has definitely awoken from its slumber.
The streets of Cebu Business Park are filled with the lights and sounds of buildings and cars.
The streets of Cebu Business Park are filled with the lights and sounds of buildings and cars.
Province and Mountain Barangays
Cebu City is still a very busy place with tons of people around. For a simpler, quieter setting to bask on the city’s landscape, the countryside is always a perfect alternative. You can get away from the many streets and highways covered with speeding cars and loud commuters. It is usually the places that are hard to get to that are the most peaceful.
Going to provincial areas is still one of the best things to do in Cebu, considering that most of them are covered in mountain ranges and white sand beaches. There are also all kinds of hills and mountains where one can go camping and trekking.
The view in these places are very different, though, as you will see more trees and vegetation. You won’t be able to find business sectors here as the provincial side is for those who want a relaxing time or an Instagrammable vacation. This makes any provincial area the best place to unwind in Cebu.
For places that are near several business sectors, there are those in Cebu City that have less traffic and more fresh air. Mountain barangays are known to have beautiful views where you can get your fix on the city’s horizon. Some of these places are more expensive to go to, and there are places that cost less, but it will be worth it when you get to the peaks of some of the most trek-friendly mountains in Cebu.
These places are a major throwback to simpler times. In the early 1900s, Cebu was more flora and fauna than streets and infrastructure. Places like Mango Avenue were home to mango trees before Mango Square came to be. It may be hard to believe, but there was a time when there was no traffic in the city, and it was just as quiet as the places you pass by the national highway.
You can find a view of the city when passing by the Marcelo Fernan bridge that leads to Lapu-Lapu City.
Where to Find a Good Cebu City View
There are many options if you want to find a good view of the city. You can be inside a car or just walking on a sidewalk, yet there are many places where you can witness the city’s incredible beauty. Some may need a considerable amount of effort to get to, but there are also places that won’t cost so much and are only a ride away to experience.
For the most cathartic and immersive experience, you can set yourself up for an adventure and climb up to overlooking places in the city. Barangay Busay is very popular with its iconic Top of Cebu. This is a restaurant that overlooks the city, giving you a beautiful view of the city and its neighboring places. The view you’ll get here is something you won’t be able to witness if you just look out the window of the highest building. Being at one of the highest peaks in the city gives you the chance to see an almost panoramic view of the entire city.
You can also go to San Carlos Heights in Barangay Quiot if you want somewhere more accessible, though it is a place that is more ideal for jogging than dining. The overlooking view is still one of the best looking ones, so it will be worth it. You’ll be able to see the ocean at South Road Properties, putting it in the running for the best sunset view in Cebu City.
Road trips are also very fun for sightseers. A great place to see the Cebu skyline is the Marcelo Fernan Bridge. These are the two bridges that connect Mandaue City and the separate island of Lapu-Lapu. Though the traffic in the area is bad, you will be able to appreciate the view while you are up there. There are very few places elsewhere that give you that much access to a view of the city.
A quick trip to Cebu, arguably one of the busiest sectors in Central Visayas, won’t be complete without an overhead view of the city. The provincial side has its natural landmarks, and the city has its tall establishments. Find a peak, climb it, and witness the juxtaposition of the busy and the peaceful. The Cebu City view was once filled with trees and land, but those have changed throughout the years to make Cebu a more modern looking place for people to live and work in.
Buildings stand tall among the many houses and trees in the city.
