The waves at Bacnotan beach are perfect for beginner surfer. (Photo by RUDY LIWANAG)

Just like any coastal province in Northern Luzon, La Union owes its thriving tourism industry to its fine shoreline facing the South China Sea. But what sets this foot shaped province apart from its neighboring provinces is the diversity of attractions found in its pristine beaches and high peaks. 

A place where rolling terrains of lush greens converge with coastal waters teeming with marine life, La Union is a hub for swimming and surfing, diving points, verdant hills, and even a seven-hectare man-made botanical garden. With such a range of activities in sight, tourist can look forward to a different experience in each town.

La Union, which is six hours north of Manila, was formed in 1850 when the Spanish colonial government merged the southern towns of Ilocos Sur, northern towns of Pangasinan, and the western towns of Benguet.  The name, La Union, ‘The Union’ or ‘the united’ was derived from the union of towns from these provinces.

During our recent visit to La Union to attend the golden canonical coronation anniversary of Our Lady of Namacpacan, we had the chance to drive around La Union to check out some of the tourist spots the Ilocanos are so proud of.

Surfing Capital of the North

A trip to La Union is never complete without trying the world-class surf waves in the towns of San Fernando, San Juan, and Bacnotan. The crashing waves of Urbiztondo, San Juan are a favorite of professional surfers and a number of local and international surfing competitions are usually held here. As for the amateurs and first timers, calmer waves perfect for surfing tutorials can be found in Cabaroan, Bacnotan.

According to our (nice and patient) surfing instructors, the secret to La Union’s surf breaks are the abundant corals near the shoreline. The best season to enjoy the perfect waves is between November and February or a week after a strong typhoon.

Surfing in La Union started in the early ‘60s when American servicemen from a nearby base station started riding their boards along with the local kids on the shore. Seeing it as a potential source of revenue, local officials soon introduced La Union as the nearest surfing capital from Manila.

Pebble picking in Luna

Famous for its colorful and polished pebble stones of various shapes and sizes, the coastal town of Luna offers a more laid back and serene activity with pebble picking.  It is believed that the stones are gifts from the miraculous Lady of Namacpacan to the faithful people of Luna as a source of living and as an alternative to fishing.

What’s more fascinating is that although generations of stone pickers have constantly harvested the shore’s treasures, including the large scale quarrying in the ‘80s, the supply of the stones seems to be endless.

Apart from the pebble beach, Luna is also home to the century-old Watch Tower, a pre-Spanish defense post situated right by its shores.

La Union Botanical Garden

For nature lovers, the seven-hectare La Union Botanical Garden is a must see. Seven kilometers east of the capital city of San Fernando, the facility is situated on a forested mountain 9,000 feet above sea level.

The sprawling garden showcases various pavilions such as the Fernery, Palmery, Fragrance Garden, Sunken Garden, Evergreen Garden, Arid Paradise, and a Shade Garden. The park enclaves and nooks of secluded flora is a perfect place for family picnics and recreational outings.

Ma-cho Temple

This beautiful Taoist Temple is another important tourist attraction in La Union. Located on a hill 70-ft above sea level overlooking San Fernando Bay, the Ma-cho temple was constructed on September 11, 1975 through the efforts of the local Chinese community in La Union.

Ma-Cho, a revered Chinese deity was said to be born in 960 AD during the Sung Dynasty and according to legend, she actively participated in the rescue operations of distressed fishermen, thus earning herself the titles, “Goddess of the Sea” and “Queen of Heaven” among others.

The eight-inch wooden statue has a striking similarity to the “Virgin of Caysasay” who is enshrined at the Basilica of San Martin in Taal, Batangas. Every September 21-26, celebrations are held in honor of the deity and the Virgin which devotees believe are one and the same.

Pindangan Ruins

The Pindangan Ruins is the vestige of the oldest church in La Union that was built in May 6, 1786 that symbolizes the union of two sitios, San Vicente de Balanac, a coastal village, and San Guillermo de Dalangdang, a village at the foothill of mountains. The name Pindangan was derived from the Ilocano word Pindang, a traditional method of drying fish in the locality. The church was damaged due to an earthquake that occurred in the year 1892.