Things to do in Buin

No. 3 of Family-friendly Attractions in Chile

Buin Zoo

Buin Zoois a large zoo, where you can observe various wild animals up close and learn about their daily behaviors and habits.

San Cristóbal Hill

San Cristóbal Hill is 880 m above sea level, approx. 300 m higher than downtown Santiago, and is one of the city's vantage points with expansive views. The hill is a core part of Santiago Metropolitan Park, which covers approx. 700 hectares and is an important urban park in Santiago. The summit features the Statue of the Immaculate Conception, inaugurated in April 1908 and manufactured by the Val D'Osne foundry in France. The statue is 14 m tall, weighs approx. 36 tons, and houses a small chapel in its base. The statue is illuminated at night and can be seen from all over the city, making it a well-known city landmark of Santiago. There are various ways to reach the summit: you can take the funicular from the Bellavista neighborhood side, take the cable car from the northeast entrance, or walk or cycle along the park roads to the top. The summit offers expansive views, allowing you to overlook the entire city of Santiago and gaze out at the Andes.

Plaza de Armas de Santiago

Plaza de Armas de Santiago is the historic heart of Santiago, the capital of Chile, and has served as the city's central square since its founding by Pedro de Valdivia in 1541. The square features a grid layout planned by architect Pedro de Gamboa and is surrounded by several important buildings constructed during the colonial period and the 19th century. On the west side of the square stands the Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago, a neoclassical cathedral with exquisite interior decorations. To the north, from west to east, are theCorreosChile Plaza de Armas, the National History Museum (formerly the Royal Court building), and the Santiago City Hall, all of which feature harmonious facades. The Fernández Concha commercial arcade on the south side was built in 1869 and still houses various shops and small restaurants today. In the center of the square is a Carrara marble sculpture titled "Liberty of America," created by Italian sculptor Francesco Orselino, which symbolizes freedom breaking its chains. There are also other commemorative facilities, such as the bronze equestrian statue of Valdivia and a ground marker indicating the city's zero-kilometer point.

No. 2 of Spring Outings in Chile

Santa Lucía Hill

Santa Lucía Hill is a conical hill in the center of Santiago, the capital of Chile. It is the remnant of a volcano from millions of years ago and was known in the original local language as "Huelén," meaning "pain and sorrow." This hill is considered the birthplace of Santiago—it was here that Spanish conquistador Pedro de Valdivia announced the founding of the city in 1541. In the 1870s, then-mayor of Santiago, Benjamín Vicuña Mackenna, led the transformation of this rocky hill into an urban garden, introducing fountains, sculptures, staircases, and drought-resistant vegetation. At the entrance at the foot of the hill stands an ornately decorated porch, with large murals on both sides. Winding up the curved stone steps, you will pass a small chapel built in the 1870s and various cacti. The hill is also dotted with sights such as the Neptune Fountain and Hidalgo Castle. The summit features an observation deck, offering a view of the Santiago city area and the distant Andes.

No. 5 of Best Things to Do in Chile

La Moneda Palace

La Moneda Palace was designed by Italian architect Joaquín Toesca and was originally the Royal Mint during the Spanish colonial period. "Moneda" means "currency" in Spanish. The minting function continued for over a century, after which the building gradually transitioned into a seat of government and office space. The building features a white stone facade, and its expansive, horizontal rectangular silhouette conveys a sense of solemnity and stability. The interior of the palace contains about 40 rooms arranged around several inner courtyards. Notable rooms include the Independence Hall, which features an iconic balcony, and the Blue Room, used for receiving foreign heads of state. The plaza on the north side of the palace is the place to watch the changing of the guard, a traditional ceremony held every other day. The Chilean national police force enters the plaza in ceremonial dress and on horseback, accompanied by a military band playing marches. The ceremony lasts about half an hour and attracts many tourists and local residents who stop to watch. The palace was severely damaged by bombing in 1973, but it was later reopened after extensive restoration. Some bullet marks are still clearly visible today.

Plaza De Armas De Buin

AquaBuin

Museo Andino

Maipo River

No. 8 of Best Things to Do in Santiago Metropolitan Region

Concha y Toro Vineyard

Conchay Winery was founded by Mr. Conchay in 1883 and is one of the oldest wineries in Chile. The winery has won the title of the world's best-selling wine brand for many times, and its share in the world wine market should not be underestimated. Its well-known brand, Red Devil, has a very interesting story. In 1891, Mr. Ganluo heard that a wine cellar worker said that the wine cellar was haunted, and he took advantage of the situation to publicize it as a true story, which not only prevented thieves from stealing wine, but also enhanced the reputation of the winery. Later, he founded the brand Red Devil.