Davao is the industrial hub of Mindanao, the largest group of islands located in the southeastern corner of the island Davao, and is composed of three provinces and one city. Davao City, its capital, is the largest city in the world in terms of land area covering 244,000 hectares. It is located 1,545 kms south of Manila.
The country 's southern-most major city, Davao offers some of the best natural attractions one can find in Philippines.
Here in Davao and in the dense forests of Mt. Apo, the Philippines highest peak, lives the rare Philippine eagle. But you don't have to go that far. Just visit Davao's Eagle Conservation Center, home of Pagasa, and the world's first artificially inseminated eagle. Enjoy the stretch of white sand beaches and resorts all year round. And for more adventure, scale the heights of Mt. Apo on a four-day trek. If these are not enough, visit Pearl Farm -- a premier resort complete with aqua sports facilities. Stilt type cottages distinguish this resort from all the others. Dive off this isle and you might discover giant Taclobo clams and sunken Japanese wrecks. Underwater, the seascapes are simply spectacular. Davao is a friendly place with excellent hotels, bargain shopping – especially for tribal handicrafts – and the fresh seafood sold in many restaurants is almost worth the trip alone.

Attractions

Historical

Japanese Peace Memorial Shrine/Cemetery – located in Catalunan Grande and Mintal, about 9 kms. and 15kms. respectively from the city of Davao southwest of the city center and could be reached by private or hired vehicles. A memorial shrine dedicated to the brotherhood of all men regardless of race, creed or ideology. It decries the futility of war as a means of settling international dispute. The site is the pilgrimage place for big groups of Japanese war veterans, widows and kins during the Annual Reunion for Peace Program.

Cultural

The city is a “melting spot” being home to several cultural minorities: Bagobo, Mandaya, Manobo, Tiboli, Mansaka and B’laan tribes, animists whose ancestors were first to arrive in Mindanao across land bridges from Malaysia.
●Davao Museum – located in Insular Village, Lanang - 12 kms. from Davao City.
A landmark that offers the opportunity to understand the soul of the people of Davao. Its main gallery is a repository of tribal art and other culture material such as: tribal art costumes, jewelries, handicrafts and others, also a gallery of paintings, sculptures and ceramics and a souvenir shop of native crafts.
●T'boli Weaving Center – located in Insular Hotel grounds, Insular Hotel, Lanang, Davao City. Tribal women demonstrate traditional arts, crafts and skills of the colorful T'boli tribe. The women in tribal attire weave cloth from the fibers of the native abaca plant. These are colored with root and mud dyes, and then finally, woven with the intricate figures and patterns depicting the folklore and religion of the tribe. The art is handed down from generation to generation.
Tribal jewelry and fashion accessories from the “tinalak” cloth decorated with beads, belts, embroidery, etc.; bags, belts, ties, wallets, floor rugs and floor hangings all fashioned from the tinalak.
●Ford Academy of Arts – located in Ladislawa Garden Village, Buhangin, Davao City. A learning center of arts and culture showcasing works of local artists. It features paintings and sculptures, offers art courses.

Natural

●Mt. Apo – located in Tamayong, Davao City side; it’s the country’s highest peak towering 10,311 feet above the sea level. Besides, it boasts of hot and cold springs, giant wild flowers, crystal clear waters, waterfalls and moss-covered forests. It is considered an international mecca for mountain climbing. The mountain can be conquered via the Sibulan and Cooland Trails in Sta. Cruz, the Kapatagan Trail in Digos, and the Balutakay Trail in Bansalan. 
●Tudaya Falls – located in Sta. Cruz, it is one of the highest in the country. 
●Baganihan Caves – located in Marilog District, there are several caves with huge chambers which abound with stalactites and stalagmites; small lakes can also be found inside.

Religious

●San Pedro Cathedral – located in San Pedro St., C.M. Recto Avenue, Davao City
Davao City’s oldest church named after San Pedro, the patron saint of Davao. The church was built in the year 1847 during the Spanish period led by Don Jose Uyanguren, the Spanish Conquistador of Davao. The old altar of the San Pedro Church is preserved at the right wing of the cathedral featuring old/antique images of St. Peter.

Man-Made
●Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center – located in Bansalan, it is famous for its Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT). 
●Philippine Eagle Research and Nature Center
A nature park planted with different fruit-bearing trees, different species of trees can also be found around the area. The center is also home to various species of animals. Once known as the monkey-eating eagle, the Philippine Eagle is endemic to the eastern portion of the Philippines, comprising the Sierra Madre Mountains in eastern Luzon and the heavily forested area of Mindanao. The Philippine Eagle Center has dedicated itself to saving the Philippine Eagle from being extinct. The largest eagle stands to about 3.5 feet. There are 32 eagles presently residing at the center.
●Malagos Garden Resort – located in Malagos, Calinan District, an inland resort with the following facilities and amenities: cottages for overnight stay, restaurant, seminar hall, butterfly sanctuary, rare orchid gardens, camping area, horseback riding, fishponds, view deck café, Noah’s ark topiary, adventure playground, trading post, garden exhibits and many more.
Tel. 2211545/2264341/5605128-29
●Eden Nature Park – located in Eden, Toril, an 80-hectare nature park nestled on a hill at about 2,600 feet above sea level with a panoramic view of Davao at a distance.
Facilities and amenities: Cottages for overnight stay, seminar facilities, restaurant, flower garden, amphitheater, and recreational facilities.
Tel. 2991020

Festivals

●Kadayawan Festival: the colorful Kadayawan Festival is Davao’s way of expressing gratitude to the Lord for being blessed as the “orchid capital” or “fruit basket” of the Philippines.
“Mad’yaw na Pag-abot!” is a Mandaya salution meaning “welcome”. And that’s just how you will feel at the bustling and cheery Kadayawan Festival Agro-Industrial Fair. Held in Davao in the third week of August each year, the festival showcases the best of the city’s produce and craftsmanship.
“Kadayawan” is derived from the aboriginal word daya, which means good, superior, or profitable. It is no empty boast. Davao has just about everything, from a wide variety of fruit – sweeter and fresher than anything on the supermarket shelves in Manila- to flowers, seafood and, yes, a rich cultural heritage.
One of the most anticipated events in the Kadayawan festival is the spectacle called indak-indakan sa dalan (dancing in the streets), joined by boys and girls in colorful tribal costumes dancing up the main streets to an ethno-pop beat. They mix ethnic ritual with today’s modern movements, but still they dance in perfect rhythm to the beat of the kulintang and the agong.