Shushi Flower Garden (Sirao Flower Garden), a Popular Tourist Attraction, Was Once a Beautiful Flower Sea, But Became Famous Due to Its Unique Buddha Hand Sculptures
Cebu City’s Osmena Old Town is a renowned tourist destination, with various historical relics and cultural sites within it, boasting significant viewing value. In Cebu City’s mountainous areas, there’s also a hugely popular ‘internet celebrity punching point’ – Sirao Flower Garden. Originally a breathtaking expanse of flowers, people are primarily drawn to the ‘Buddha Hand’ photo spots, sparking a trend on Instagram.
Sirao Flower Garden literally translates to ‘Buddha Hand Garden’. While the name suggests both ‘Buddha Hands’ and flowers as its main attractions, people are predominantly gathering at the ‘Buddha Hands’ area. Although it doesn’t live up to the ‘one-hour queue, two-minute photo’ rumors, it does involve a bit of waiting.
The massive ‘Buddha Hands’ are the core of the garden, divided into left and right hands. However, due to the beautiful flower bushes opposite the left Buddha Hand, the shooting effect is particularly good, making it a popular spot. If you’re short on time, you can choose to take photos at the right Buddha Hand, which also looks very good.
Blurring the flower bushes, the weathered and ancient-looking Buddha Hands resemble having experienced countless things, standing before the lush green scenery of Cebu. Like the city itself, they are captivating and simple, yet full of meaning. You feel like you’re being cradled in the Buddha Hands, enjoying the feeling of being held in the palm of your hand. The Buddha Hands are large enough to create various shapes, but it’s advisable to plan your poses beforehand, as there are quite a few people queuing.
Sirao Flower Garden cultivates a wide variety of flowers, which are exceptionally vibrant under the tropical climate, earning it the nickname ‘Cebu’s Little Amsterdam’. It’s a very romantic spot, and flower enthusiasts shouldn’t miss it. Under the combination of colorful flowers and lush green mountain scenery, despite the garden's small size, it's full of fun. As long as you don't damage the flowers and items in the garden, you can play any way you like.
Besides the ‘Buddha Hands’, Sirao Flower Garden offers many other photo spots, including five different bird nests, which are also quite popular. Every angle has a high shooting rate. The bird nests are made of natural materials and have a rustic appearance. They are a scenic spot in themselves.
Platforms, treehouses, and windmills are also good shooting locations, especially the platform behind the right Buddha Hand. It's a place where any pose looks great, thanks to the natural wooden construction. However, when taking photos in Sirao Flower Garden, it’s advisable to wear a light dress or long pants and prepare for potential wardrobe malfunctions. The options for clothing choices are diverse.
Although there’s fruit ice cream sold at the garden entrance, due to the 2-3 hour round trip from Cebu City, it’s advisable to bring your own water.
