THE Transcentral Highway is one of the most important infrastructure projects in Cebu. Connecting Metro Cebu and the towns in the northwest, the Transcentral Highway winds through several highland barangays of both Cebu City and Balamban.

Aside from bringing highland communities closer to the metro and giving city-dwellers more travel options, the highway is also known for a lot of other amazing stuff.

We've picked 11 of the most awesome things we're sure you'll love about this "engineering marvel."

1. Fresh farm produce

Thanks to the Transcentral Highway, there is no more need for our brothers and sisters from the highland barangays to travel to the city to sell their produce. Now, travelers can simply stop by the road and do some quick shopping. The items are freshly picked and they're sold really cheap, too! And the vendors are really generous. If you're lucky, you might find a few extra pieces in your shopping bag.

2. Flower fields


The flowers that you find in major markets in the city come from the flower fields of Cebu's highland barangays. If you can, do check out these fields during the harvest months. The fields are a sight to behold! And aside from getting a chance to hand pick your very own bouquet, you'll also get huge discounts.

3. Adventure sites


Adventure sites are sprouting like mushrooms along the Transcentral Highway. A lot of them offer extreme adventures like zipline and cable car. If you want a little adrenaline, check out West 35, K33, Island in the Sky, Adventure Cafe, Canso X, and so many more. Most of these places offer good food, too. So, if you prefer to watch people screaming their lungs out while doing extreme stunts, you can do so over a slice of cake or a serving of hot soup.

4. Green thumb's paradise


Can't find a certain plant variety in the city? Chances are they're being sold along the road in Barangay Gaas in Balamban. A lot of homeowners travel here to get hard-to-find flowering and ornamental plants. And don't forget your haggling skills. The plant sellers are very generous and easy to deal with.

5. The view of the City


If you want an excellent view of Cebu City and the whole Metro Cebu, the Transcentral Highway can give you that. Tops Garden, Doce Pares, Chateau de Busay, and Mountain View Nature Park are crowd favorites. But you can actually find a lot of other good spots along the highway where you can just enjoy the view while munching on your favorite snacks without having to worry about entrance and corkage fees.

6. Mountainscape


If lush greens, cool fresh air, and beautiful mountains are your thing, then you've come to the right place. The Transcentral Highway has a lot of that. Finding the right spot, however, can be a little tricky. There's just too many to choose from. A lot of these mountains are uninhabited though. So, they're perfect for photo shoots and, of course, selfies.

7. History and heritage


If you are into culture and history, you can find a lot of interesting spots with historical and cultural significance along the Transcentral Highway. For example, you can make a quick trip to Ramon Magsaysay's crash marker and monument in Barangay Magsaysay or check out this old steel bridge near Mt. Manunggal in Balamban.

8. Trekkers' haven


Whatever the type of road you prefer, trekking in Transcentral Highway is nothing short of exciting. You can go trekking on the actual highway, or you may check out the smaller inner roads that lead to different sitios or barangays. And there's no need to worry about not finding your way. Locals are very friendly and helpful. Just ask and they're ready to point you in the right direction.

9. Friendly locals


Wherever you look, you will always find a smiling face. And they're always ready to strike a friendly conversation. I don't know; it must be the cool, fancy weather that makes them always happy. No matter how hard things may seem, these people are always looking at the positive side of life. So, when you meet a local, don't forget to smile. I'm pretty sure you'll get a genuine smile back.

10. The food


Every weekend, city dwellers flock to the Transcentral Highway to escape the hustle and bustle for a while. And one of the things that help them get their mind off the urban jungle is the amazing food sold at a few road-side eateries. People keep coming back to these restaurants because of local favorites that are prepared and cooked the traditional way.

11. The fog


Not all of us are lucky enough to have seen snow or been to really cold regions of the world. But thanks to the Transcentral Highway, we can now enjoy the next best thing - the fog. Now, you don't have to go to Baguio to don those winter boots, fancy scarves, and beanies. If you're lucky, it could get really cold and you just might actually see smoke coming out of your mouth when you speak.

How about you? What do you love about the Transcentral Highway? (HangingRice.com)

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