People's Park in the Sky in Tagaytay City

I can't count the number of times since 2010 that I've been to the People's Park in the Sky or formerly called the Palace in the Sky in Tagaytay.  It was built in 1981 by the Marcoses to accommodate the visit of Pres. Ronald Reagan but the construction and Reagan's visit didn't push through because of the People's Power Revolution. So now,  what remains at the summit of the highest peak in Tagaytay - Mount Gonzales is a dilapidated, scary, filthy and obviously not maintained mansion on a government property but still a tourist attraction with a P30 per head entrance. They didn't even replace the lost letters in the Hollywood sign of the People's Park.  Where do you think the money goes? Hmmm.

Hollywood sign in 2011

Hollywood sign in 2013

At the entrance

The incomplete mansion

So what keeps me (and other tourists) coming back to the People's Park? Being at the highest peak in Tagaytay, you will enjoy a 360 degree view of the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas and Rizal and on a clear day, you can see the Sierra Madre Mountain Ranges, Mt Makiling and Mt Banahaw from afar. And just below it, you can see the Tagaytay Highlands. So just imagine the breathtaking view and the fresh, cool air and literally, you can shout that 'I'm at the top of the world!'. And don't be disappointed when you go there when it's cloudy or drizzling.  You may not see the amazing view but the fog also comes down to the ground and you can hog, chase and even taste the fog! (We did). It was like walking on cloud 9.

Taal Lake

Taal Volcano

Mt Makiling

Foggy visit

Tagaytay Highlands

Aside from the unfinished mansion, there is also a PAG-ASA Doppler Weather Station and a Jesus and Marian Grotto or the Shrine of Our Lady, Mother of Fair Love at the summit.  There are also souvenir shops, food stalls, an ampitheater, a park and a wishing well.

Marian Grotto on a foggy day

The ampitheater

Shrine of Our Lady, Mother of Fair Love

The park with the cottages and the ampitheater

Souvenir shop

PAG-ASA Doppler Weather Station

The wishing well

If you're coming from the Aguinaldo Highway or the Tagaytay - Sta Rosa Road, just turn left upon reaching the main road in Tagaytay and drive till you get to the Picnic Grove and keep on driving until you reach Crosswinds.  From there, once the road starts to zigzag, just follow the signage going to Tagaytay Highlands and the People's Park in the Sky.  Just a heads up, the traffic in Tagaytay during weekends and holidays is pretty bad.  But I'll let you a little secret.  If you're coming from Batangas, you may take the Talisay - Tagaytay route.  The road twists and turns but the view of Taal is rewarding and you can also drop by the Leauna de Taal.  Another recently opened route is via the Silangan exit in SLEX.  It may be a steep climb but the road leads directly near the gate of the People's Park and you will also pass by another Marcos Mansion in Cabuyao, Laguna.  Once you are traversing SLEX from Manila, just look at the mountains in your right side and the towers that you see at the highest mountain is the People's Park in the Sky.

Click here for more of my Luzon travels