Dagupan is a historic city that boasts numerous historical, cultural heritage, recreational, ecotourism, business, and culinary tourism of national importance. Being at the center of trade in the north for centuries blessed with a geography crisscrossed by several rivers and sandy beaches, Dagupan has naturally become a multifaceted city in terms of tourism. Also, as the transportation hub of Pangasinan, the city is easily accessible to the public, whether coming from within or outside of the province.
Historical & Heritage Tourism Since the Spanish colonial times, the colonial government had put a great emphasis on the importance of the city due to being at the strategic center of the province and its accessibility to the sea for trading and transport. The first Philippine railroad system, the Manila-Dagupan railway, had its terminus in the city. Remnant of the historic rail transport locomotive can be seen displayed in front of the city museum. During World War 2, Dagupan also served as the wartime capital of
Pangasinan. The shores of
Bonuan Gueset was a silent witness to the historic landing of Gen. MacArthur that eventually became one of the key historic points in the country's liberation. To immortalize this important feat in the city's history, a MacArthur Landing Park was built to stand by the shore of Tondaligan Beach, adjacent to Filipino-Japanese Peace Park. More structures and landmarks of historic importance still dot the city, some of which are already listed as heritage sites by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP). These include: • Home Economics/Gabaldon Building at West Central Elementary School • Old City Hall and Water Tower • Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint John • Philippine National Railways Tracks and Station • Remnants of Franklin Bridge • Lighthouse in Bonuan
Food Tourism Aside from being the
Bangus Capital of the Philippines, the city is also known as the
Kitchen of the North. Many popular culinary traditions have originated in the city, including
Pigar-Pigar, Kaleskes, and
Bonuan Boneless Bangus. Plato Wraps, a contemporary food innovation that's now popularly sold in major shopping malls also hails from the city. Dagupan is home to popular homegrown restaurants that branched out in many parts of Luzon.
Food Hubs: •
Metro Plaza (International and national food and resto chains) •
Galvan Street (The center for local Dagupan cuisines such as Pigar-Pigar, Kaleskes and other native dishes) •
Tondaligan Food Hub (Alfresco dining by the beach hosting native delicacies, street foods and selected food kiosks) •
Dagupan City Growth Center-Lucao (A modern lifestyle center and food hub by the river hosting popular restaurants & cafes) •
Plaza Del Carmen (Hosts traditional and innovative cafes, bars and restaurants) •
Royal Rays Food Hub (A hub for Filipino and Asian dining)
Ecotourism Dagupan, being surrounded by rivers and sea, offers extensive ecotourism activities for recreation, relaxation and adventure. Tondaligan Beach is an urban beach park complex with numerous amenities. The extensive Tondaligan baywalk, dubbed as the longest in the region, is a prominent feature along the Bonuan shore wherein cyclists can enjoy biking and savor
Lingayen Gulf's picturesque view. Tondaligan Beach Park also hosts many historical landmark of national importance such as: • Gen. MacArthur Landing Park • Filipino-Japanese Friendship Garden • Tondaligan Grand Amphitheater Other interesting spots and landmarks in the city that can be visited are as follows: • Dawel River Cruise • BFAR – NIFTDC • Pugaro Beach • Bonuan Golf Course • Leisure Coast Resort
Festivities As the Bangus (
Milkfish) Capital of the Philippines, Dagupan has been celebrating its well-renowned produce through
Bangus Festival which started in 2002. It's a yearly month-long celebration in the month of April. The festival features the famous bangusine (bangus cuisine) which is one of the main highlights of the event, street dancing where competing barangays parade in the city's main avenue wearing colorful Bangus Festival costumes, bangus grilling, deboning, variety shows, trade fairs, beauty pageants, sports fest, cooking show, medical mission, visual arts, band concerts, sports activities, dog show, fluvial parade, drum and lyre parade, and street party. The festival concludes every April 30 with main events: Kalutan ed Dalan in the daytime and Bangusan Street Party concerts in the nighttime. '''Pista'y Dayat''' (Festival of the Sea) is held the day after the conclusion of Bangus Festival. It is a simultaneously celebrated festivity together with the neighboring towns in the Lingayen Gulf area. It serves as a thanksgiving for the bountiful harvest and abundant fishing from the sea in the province of Pangasinan.
Dagupan City Fiesta is a month-long celebration held every December with a Catholic fiesta mass and Procession at St. John Cathedral in honor of St. John the Evangelist, the patron saint of Dagupan and of fishermen. Since it coincides with the Christmas festivities, Christmas decoration-building, nativity scene displays and Christmas tree using indigenous materials has become a permanent fixture in the Dagupan City Fiesta. On The Edades Day, events such as Arts and Painting Contests are held on December 23, honoring national artist on Modern Arts Victorio Edades, a Dagupeño from Barangay Bolosan. Other events such Miss Dagupan pageant, job fairs, NGO, Organizations, & Barangay Nights, various alumni homecoming Nights, Battle of Bands, and Hip Hop Dance Contest, among others are usually parts of the festivities. The Dagupan City fiesta ends on Rizal Day at the Dagupan City Plaza. == Government ==