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Component city in Negros Occidental, Philippines
Photo: Kguirnela, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Silay City is dubbed as the Paris of Negros because of its European-inspired houses which have been declared historical landmarks, and it is the second museum city in the Philippines next to Vigan. Silay is a center for arts, culture and ecotourism and might be as close as the province can get to the dazzling streets of Europe because of its well-preserved European colonial houses.
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Besides from European architecture, what special about the house is that it has been turned into a museum and displays an expensive doll collection, and century-old objects like telephones, chandeliers, etc.
The ancestral house is home to the world's smallest doll. It also displays ancient artifacts from the 15th century and a collection of Ramon Hofilena.
Home of the French descent family; the Gaston family, who helped in experimenting Sugar cane production in the province. After the death of their father; Victor Gaston, the family abandoned the house and fell into ruins but during the 1970s concerned people showed their support and repaired the house. The architecture is a typical example of "Bahay na bato" or House of stone, with American-European colonial influences. Today it is a museum containing antiques.
The only pro-Cathedral church outside Metro Manila, its birth was in the 1700s, the church was still made of nipa-palm, bamboo and grass, in the 1800s the church was then made into a wood and stone structure, finally in the 1900s the structure was made into what it is now, the architecture; Lucio Bernasconi (an Italian architect) took churches in his native Italy as an influence and model of the church. It was finished on 1927 also inaugurated in the same year.
The center of the city. If you are a family, this place is the best place to walk and enjoy with ease.
A private school.
A hiking/mountain climbing adventure you can experience with some resorts you can stay.
A well-preserved heritage house wherein antique materials can be found.
Inside an old Silay building, serves Filipino/international cuisine (try the lumpiang ubod) as well as offering baked goods like piaya, meringue and barquillos. You can also find the famous Guapple Pie, made of guavas, the local version of apple pie.
Also serves its grilled chicken here, and customers who dine on the second floor get an excellent view of some of Silay's heritage architecture.
The only Japanese restaurant in Silay City, serving sushi and other Japanese cuisine.
8am-8pm
By bus
Silay is about 30-45 minutes away from Bacolod. The Ceres bus is 3 times faster than an ordinary bus.
By taxi
Taxis are the best option for getting around Silay. However, some of them might offer you a fixed price because of distance or because you're a tourist.
By tricycle
Tricycles are small and often cramped for two people; however, they're the cheapest mode of transportation for getting around alone.
By jeepneys
The cheapest mode of transportation if you choose not to travel alone, it is the local version of buses. Don't forget to ask for a discount if you're a senior citizen or a student.
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Bacolod City · International · BCD
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