A must-see destination for travellers visiting the Philippines, the Chocolate Hills have been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the Seven New Wonders of Nature. Even while experts continue to disagree on the hills’ geological origins, they are still a magnificent example of the strength and beauty of nature. In addition, the article explores the myths and mythology associated with the hills and offers advice on how to visit them. So plan your trip via Philippine Airlines ticket booking and explore this mysterious yet captivating destination in the Philippines.
About The Chocolate Hills
The Philippine province of Bohol is home to a geological phenomenon known as the Chocolate Hills, covering an area of approximately 50 square kilometres More than a thousand mountains form a unique natural beauty of fascination and derive their name from the fact that it has in the autumn season of the year, they look like a vast field of chocolate scattered across the landscape.
The breathtaking beauty of the Chocolate Hills has made them one of the most famous tourist destinations in the Philippines, attracting tourists from all over the globe. The hills are all around the same size and shape, with consistent heights ranging from 30 to 50 metres with a uniformly conical form and smooth, dome-like top. Its extraordinary and unique beauty is a result of the sheer quantity of hills, which leaves visitors with unforgettable impressions.
Why Are The Chocolate Hills So Well-Known?
Isn’t it strange that a place not really made up of chocolates would be dubbed the Chocolate Hills? This is due to the fact that during the dry season, the normally green grass on these hills dries up and becomes a rich dark hue. The villages of Carmen, Sagbayan and Batuan on the island of Bohol are home to more than a thousand hills throughout an area of 50 square kilometres. Even though the hills differ in size, from a distance it seems as if their shapes are almost symmetrical. This produces a magnificent scene that may lead you to believe it was created by humans.
Mysteries Surrounding The Chocolate Hills
Filipinos often discuss the myths and stories that surround a certain location, particularly if there is no clear explanation for the legend’s origins. Some contend that these stories are just half-truths, while others counter that they were simply presented to pique the interest of Filipino youngsters.
The tale of the Visayan Region’s pride’s inception is not an exception. Legend has it that the hills were created by two rival giants who threw sand, pebbles, and rocks at one another.
This finally resulted in a chaotic collection of hills after their conflict, which is now known as the Chocolate Hills. Another myth has it that these limestone cliffs were formed when a giant who had just lost his love wept uncontrollably. Some may find it hard to believe the third mythology, which claims that these hills are really the dried excrement of carabaos.
How They Actually Formed?
The generally accepted geological explanation explaining this unusual structure, putting aside the three stories listed above, is that the hills originated from the weathering of sea limestone. Multiple causes, including precipitation and subaerial erosion, contributed to the disintegration of limestone over the course of thousands of years ago. A sign at a Carmen observation deck states that the tectonic processes that caused the elevation of limestones above sea level and their subsequent fractures led to the development of these geological formations. According to a different theory, there was a geologic change under the seas that caused the hills to erupt from their prior status as coral reefs.
When And Where Should You Visit The Chocolate Hills?
It goes without saying that you should view the hills during the Philippines’ dry season when they are a rich shade of chocolate brown. This season runs from late November to May. The weather in the Philippines can be rather unpredictable, so it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on forecasts before setting off on a trip there. You can see the hills from their greatest vantage points at the Chocolate Hills Complex’s observation deck in Carmen or up on Sagbayan Peak.
