Bangui, municipality of the Philippines in the province of Ilocos Norte
Bangui is a small coastal town in Ilocos Norte that sits along the South China Sea. With around 15,000 residents spread across 14 barangays, the flat terrain features simple wooden and concrete houses, nearby fishing boats, and views of the water stretching to the horizon.
Bangui was settled by Ilocanos and Malaysian traders, then colonized by the Spanish who introduced the church and built watchtowers against pirates. In the 20th century, Americans developed roads and schools, transforming the town into a peaceful place with a long heritage.
The town's name comes from a local word for seaweed that grows along the coast. Daily life here revolves around fishing and maritime traditions, with residents maintaining strong ties to the sea and its resources.
The town is best reached by bus, with most travelers coming about 65 kilometers from Laoag. Once there, you can travel by motorbike, car, or on foot to explore the area and enjoy the views.
Bangui is home to Southeast Asia's first wind farm, which opened in 2005 and became a landmark with its rows of turbines spread along the coast. Even though newer wind farms have been built nearby, this original site remains popular with visitors and shapes the local sense of identity.
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