Coconut Palace

Coconut Palace

In the reclaimed new district of Manila, the capital of the Philippines, stands a uniquely styled building constructed from coconut trees — the Coconut Palace, also known as the "Museum of Coconuts." Built in January 1981 and nestled against the scenic Manila Bay, the building and its surrounding landscaped gardens cover a total area of over 8,000 square meters.

Travel Information

Nearly 200 coconut trees are planted around the Coconut Palace, with lush green lawns and fragrant flowers. During the peak tourist season each year, workers from coconut plantations perform live shows here. They climb the tall coconut trees around the palace by hand, pick coconuts, chop them open with small axes, and pour out the coconut water for visitors to taste for free. The uniquely charming Coconut Palace has attracted an increasing number of domestic and international tourists since its completion.

Background of Construction

The Philippines is rich in coconut production, with coconuts being one of the six major agricultural cash crops and holding an important place in the national economy. Coconut and coconut oil are significant export products of the country. Coconut cultivation in the Philippines dates back to the 16th century, primarily in the Luzon and Visayas regions. The Philippines leads the world in both the variety and total production of coconuts, accounting for one-third of the global total, and also boasts the highest yield per unit area. As a result, the country is known as the "Coconut Country." To showcase the charm of the "Land of Coconuts" to both domestic and international tourists, the Philippines built this Coconut Palace in the style of a museum.

Architectural Features

The hexagonal brown roof of the Coconut Palace used over 2,000 coconut trees aged 70 years or older. The roof is made of coconut boards, the thick pillars are crafted from coconut tree trunks, and the walls are built from coconut brick made by mixing fibers from coconut husks with cement. The main gate of the palace is inlaid with a geometric pattern composed of 4,000 pieces of coconut shell. Many of the uniquely shaped and elegantly designed lamps and chandeliers inside the palace are also entirely made from coconut shells. The dining area features an 11-meter-long table inlaid with 47,000 pieces of coconut shells in various shapes. The palace also showcases a wide array of carpets, furniture, and handicrafts made from different parts of the coconut tree — a dazzling and beautiful collection. One of the most remarkable exhibits in the Coconut Palace is a large 2-meter-tall floor-standing clock. Its body, numbers, and hands are all made from coconut trees and coconut shells. This unique "coconut clock" keeps accurate time and chimes on the hour, producing a crisp sound that visitors can recognize as coming from striking coconut shells. The air throughout the Coconut Palace is filled with the refreshing and pleasant fragrance of coconut trees.

Note: Only an average of 50 visitors are allowed entry per day.