A holiday in the Philippines will never be complete without exploring
its capital, Manila. Home to more than 1.6 million people, Manila is
one of the crowded yet entertaining cities in the country. The busy
streets and hardworking people add to the rich history of Manila, which
charms local and foreign guests with its vintage and modern features.
Manila is a magnet for history buffs. Some of the major landmarks
built during the Spanish era are located in the city. The deep Hispanic
influence on the country can be traced in old churches and art galleries
around the city. But aside from its rich past, Manila is also known as a
center for politics, economics, culture, and commerce.
The city, which is divided into sixteen geographical districts, has
one of the largest Chinatowns in the world. On the streets of Binondo
line numerous shops selling a wide selection of Chinese goods and
delicacies. Manila, which covers an area of 0.66 square kilometers, is
also home to posh hotels, modern shopping malls, parks, exquisite events, and recreational areas.
The following attractions were taken from several Philippine travel guides the author used to come up with this article about Manila.
Intramuros
Make sure to visit Intramuros if youre in Manila. The Walled City
hosts a number of old places of worship such as the San Agustin Church
and the Manila Cathedral. Built in the 16th century,
Intramuros is also home to art galleries and museums such as Casa
Manila, Bahay Tsinoy, and San Agustin Museum. Some of the countrys
higher learning institutions, including Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila and Mapua Institute of Technology, are inside Intramuros.
Rizal Park
Rizal Park is probably the most famous urban park in the Philippines.
Situated at the heart of Manila, the 58-hectare park houses the monument
of national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. The site is guarded by ceremonial
soldiers 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Rizal Park, also known as
Luneta, also features ornamental gardens, a chess plaza, and a skating
rink. Regular free concerts are staged in an open-air auditorium in
Luneta.
Manila Bay
Manila Bay is a tourist magnet practically because of its beautiful
golden sunset. Always have your camera ready when watching the sun go
down. A side-attraction in Manila Bay is the hoard of boats moored in
the Manila Yacht Club. There are numerous restaurants, cafes, and bars
on the so-called Manila Baywalk, which is an ideal setting for a
romantic dinner or a friendly chat over bottles of beer.
National Museum of the Philippines
The National Museum of the Philippines is the official repository and
guardian of the countrys natural and cultural heritage. This
government-established institution has a vast collection of artifacts in
the fields of history, anthropology, ethnography, archaeology, botany,
and geology. Juan Lunas Spoliarium, the grand prize winner at the
1884 Exposicion Nacional de Bellas Artes in Spain,is among the famous artworks displayed at the museum.
Exploring the beauty of Manila doesnt end in the above-mentioned
attractions. Other must-visit places in the city include Fort Santiago,
the Malacañang Palace, the Chinese Cemetery, Quiapo Church, Plaza San
Luis, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and the Manila Ocean
Park.
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