Baguio is Luzon's highland capital, a mid-way point between Manila and the Cordillera, serving either as a staging post on the way up , or a comfortable rest-stop on the way back down. Once upon a time Baguio may have been considered something of a peaceful retreat, the Filipino equivalent of a colonial hill station, but in modern times it has grown into a busy and bustling city. It has a large student population, central shopping and dining to rival any Filipino city, and there is a good range of accommodation available - making a comfortable counterpoint to more basic options further north. Known as the 'City of Pines', Baguio is surrounded on all sides by dense pine forests and is a good base for treks and tours.