Description of the attraction
Chocolate Hills is an unusual geological formation on the island of Bohol in the area of the cities of Carmen, Batuan and Sagbayan, one of the main tourist attractions not only of the island, but of the entire country. According to the latest research, a total of 50 sq. Km. scattered over 1,700 hills. They are covered with grass, which burns out and turns brown in the dry season - hence the name of the area.
Chocolate Hills have long been a distinctive feature of Bohol province - they are depicted on its flag and symbolize the amazing nature of the island. In addition, the Hills are the third National Geological Monument of the Philippines and are awaiting their turn to be listed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site.
This major natural landmark is an area with a huge number of conical hills ranging in height from 30 to 50 meters. The highest hill is 120 meters high. The land between the hills has long been cultivated by man - rice and other crops are grown here.
In the town of Carmen there is an observation deck overlooking a part of the Chocolate Hills and on which a sign is installed. The inscription on the tablet reads: "The unique shape of the hills was formed thousands of years ago as a result of the rise of coral deposits from the seabed and the action of erosion." True, there are other explanations for this unusual phenomenon, including several legends. One of them talks about two warring giants who threw huge boulders at each other. The battle lasted for several days and both giants were very tired. Then they forgot about their enmity and became friends, but when they went home, they forgot to clean up the boulders and sand behind them - this is how Chocolate Hills appeared.
Another, more romantic legend tells of a giant named Arogo - young and very powerful. Alogo fell in love with a mere mortal girl Aloe, and when she died, he was so upset that he did not stop crying for several days. His tears fell to the ground and turned into Hills.
Today, two of the more than 1,770 hills have been turned into tourist resorts. One - Chocolate Hills Complex - is located in the town of Carmen, 55 km from Tagbilaran, the capital of the island. It is there, at a height of 64 meters, that an observation deck is arranged, from which a panoramic view of the hills opens. Another resort - Sagbayan Peak - is located in the town of Sagbayan.
