Burnham Park, Baguio: what to see and when to go

Burnham Park is a public urban park in the heart of Baguio, Philippines, designed by Daniel Burnham in the early 20th century. The park features a man-made lake, rose and orchid gardens, playgrounds, sports facilities, and heritage areas, drawing locals and visitors year-round for recreation and events.

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Features a century-old man-made lake with boat rentals
Home to a Rose Garden, Orchidarium, and heritage gardens
Over 2,600 trees and more than 3,000 plant species recorded
Hosts sports, concerts, and cultural festivals year-round
Designed by American architect Daniel Burnham in 1905

What is Burnham Park?

Burnham Park is a 32.84-hectare city park in downtown Baguio. At its center is Burnham Lake, a man-made body of water where visitors can rent boats. The park has a Rose Garden, an Orchidarium, playgrounds, sports fields, and open lawns. Heritage spaces honor local Ibaloi and Igorot culture. Trees and flower beds line the paths, and a grandstand hosts public events. The park is open all year and is a popular spot for leisure, exercise, and gatherings.

The history of Burnham Park

The park was built on what was once the Baguio meadow, part of the Ibaloi settlement of Kafagway. Daniel Burnham, an American architect and city planner, designed the park in 1905 as part of his vision for Baguio. It was officially reserved for park use in 1925. Over the years, the park's administration shifted between national and local government agencies. The design reflects the City Beautiful movement, with formal lawns, a central lake, and regimented paths.

What there is to see

Burnham Park is divided into clusters, each with its own features. The Rose Garden greets visitors at the northern entrance, while the Orchidarium displays orchids and other flowers for sale. The central lake is maintained for boating. Playgrounds, sports facilities, and open fields are spread throughout. The park is planted with thousands of trees, herbs, shrubs, and grasses, including local species like Bermuda grass and mutha. The city government oversees maintenance and periodic upgrades.

When to go

Locals and tourists visit Burnham Park for boating, walking, sports, and relaxation. The Melvin Jones Grandstand and open field host concerts, parades, and festivals. The park's gardens are popular for strolls and photography. Heritage areas celebrate the culture of the Ibaloi and Igorot peoples. The park is open year-round and is a central gathering place for Baguio residents and visitors.

Parts and collections

Within Burnham Park, notable areas include the Rose Garden, Orchidarium, Avong Ibaloi Heritage Garden, Igorot Park, and the Pine Trees of the World section. The park's flora includes over 3,000 identified species, with a mix of native and introduced plants. The design and layout have evolved, but some original features, like the open field and grandstand, remain from Burnham's plan.

Why Burnham Park matters

Burnham Park is a landmark of Baguio and a symbol of the city's history and planning. It honors Daniel Burnham with a bust and plaque. The park is a site for public celebrations, including papal visits and local festivals like the Gong Festival. Heritage gardens recognize the contributions of indigenous peoples. The park is valued for its greenery, open space, and role in city life.

The flowers of Burnham Park

RoseWoody perennial plants with showy, often fragrant flowers in many colours

OrchidA vast family of colourful, often fragrant flowers found almost everywhere on earth

Questions people ask about Burnham Park

Where is Burnham Park located?

Burnham Park is in downtown Baguio, in the province of Benguet, Philippines. It is a central landmark of the city and easily accessible to both residents and visitors.

What can visitors do at Burnham Park?

Visitors can enjoy boating on Burnham Lake, stroll through the Rose Garden and Orchidarium, use playgrounds and sports fields, and attend concerts or festivals at the grandstand and open field.

Who designed Burnham Park?

The park was designed by Daniel Burnham, an American architect and city planner, as part of his 1905 plan for Baguio.

What types of plants are found in Burnham Park?

The park has over 3,000 plant species, including roses, orchids, Bermuda grass, mutha, and pine trees. There are about 2,600 trees in the park.

Is Burnham Park open all year?

Yes, Burnham Park is open throughout the year and is a popular destination in all seasons.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Burnham Park (Baguio)", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes. Opening times, prices and bloom dates change: check with the place before you travel. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.

Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

International Garden Festival: Frombowen, CC BY-SA 4.0, source

Rose garden: The original uploader was SUJIRENas at Lithuanian Wikipedia ., CC BY-SA 3.0, source

Villa Rufolo: Istvánka, CC BY-SA 3.0, source

La Trinidad: Irvin Parco Sto. Tomas, CC BY-SA 4.0, source

Rose: User:Tigerente, CC BY-SA 3.0, source

Jasmine: HelenOnline, CC BY-SA 3.0, source

Waterlily: Ragesoss, CC BY-SA 3.0, source

Orchid: Unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0, source

Alhambra: Jebulon, CC0, source

Baguio Botanical Garden: Ralff Nestor Nacor, CC BY-SA 4.0, source

Burnham Park