One of the most unusual geological formations on Earth, the Chocolate Hills of Bohol consist of at least 1,268 perfectly cone-shaped hills spread across 50 square kilometers of the island’s interior. Rising between 30 and 120 meters high, these symmetrical mounds are covered in grass that turns a rich chocolate brown during the dry season, giving them their sweet name and an otherworldly appearance that has baffled geologists for centuries. The prevailing scientific theory suggests they are the weathered remnants of uplifted coral deposits and limestone, sculpted over millions of years by rain and erosion. The main viewing deck at the Carmen complex provides a panoramic vista where the hills stretch to the horizon in every direction, creating a landscape that looks more like a fantastical painting than reality. The hills are a declared National Geological Monument and one of the most recognized landmarks of the Philippines.

Pro tip: Rent a motorbike in Carmen and explore the back roads weaving between the hills for a more immersive experience — you will find smaller, uncrowded viewpoints and get a real sense of the scale of this natural wonder.