University of the Philippines Arboretum

Quezon City, Philippines, Philippines

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The University of the Philippines Arboretum (UP Arboretum) is a 16-hectare (40-acre) botanical garden and urban forest located in the UP Diliman campus in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines.

Created in the 1950s, it is one of the few rainforests of its size entirely within Metro Manila and serves as one of the city's last remaining "green lungs"—a peaceful refuge for nature lovers, students, and photographers. The man-made forest garden houses over 9,000 tropical plants of about 77 unique species, including native and imported trees, and supports birds, butterflies, and small wildlife.

Gentle walking paths allow visitors to walk under towering trees, listen to birdsong, and enjoy fresh air in the heart of the city, making it ideal for nature walks, photography, birdwatching, tree study, and relaxation. The arboretum is typically free to enter (though visitors should check current UP access rules), and the best times to visit are morning or late afternoon for cooler weather.

It has been protected as a forest reserve, and recent university plans to build a public hospital on the campus will not affect the protected forested area, ensuring no mature trees will be chopped for construction. The UP Arboretum remains a quiet, serene green oasis where nature and history meet, offering native flora and peaceful picnic spots within the university.