Sightseeing in Manila

The capital follows the curve of Manila Bay approximately from north to south. It is the largest city in Southeast Asia with approximately 10 million people. Manila today is a vibrant metropolitan area and consists of 17 cities within it. Initially Manila grew from a Muslim settlement on the banks of River Pasig to a Spanish colony for three centuries. This was the time one sees much of the culture getting intertwined and it is reflected in the architecture, dress, food, religion, music and dance and many others.

Sightseeing in Manila means getting acquainted with the unique culture of the land. The Pasig river divides Manila into two and connects Laguna Bay to Manila Bay. Malate and Ermita are the main tourist destinations. The greenbelt of Rizal Park, the old walled Spanish town of Intramuros, across the Pasig River are Quiapo, a number of colourful markets, and Binondo, with Chinatown. The major shopping and commercial centre is Makati along with the large shopping malls of Greenhills to its north. Quezon City to the north and Pasay City to the south, also have tourist attractions.

 

 

 

Intramuros

Intramuros is located on the southern banks of the Pasig River. Sections of the encircling wall, which was begun in 1590, remain, including a number of gates. The word literally translates to “within walls” in Spanish, and is an apt name for the enclosed city. During the Spanish conquest, Intramuros was Manila itself, where all the important government, political and religious edifices were erected. During World War II the walled city came under heavy bombardment from the American forces, as the Japanese used the city as a base.

 

Rizal Park

Rizal Park is like an oasis for relaxation and fun in the heart of Manila and situated next to Intramuros. Rizal Park has gardens, historical markers, plazas, a grand stadium, an observatory, an open-air concert hall, an artists' sanctuary, a light-and-sound theatre, restaurants, food kiosks and playgrounds, and dozens of fountains. The Park was also called Bagumbayan, in Spanish colonial era, and later known as Luneta. It is a park dedicated to the lifework of the country’s national hero – Jose Rizal. Rizal Park serves as an iconic site not just for Rizal but for the Philippine history in general. But definitely, the most important event that the place witnessed many years before is the execution of the hero, which made the country’s independence possible. Rizal Park is also where the zero kilometre marker is located, right where the Rizal monument is. As such, the park also serves as a point of origin to any other locations in the Philippines. It has been the site of some of the most significant moments in Philippine history, among them are the execution of José Rizal on December 30, 1896, whose execution made him a hero of the Philippine Revolution, the Declaration of Philippine Independence from American rule on July 4, 1946, the political rallies of Ferdinand Marcos and Corazon Aquino in 1986, and most recently, the 11-hour hostage crisis on August 23, 2010. Located at the Luneta is not merely the statue of the national hero, but also the mausoleum that houses his remains. Both statue and mausoleum are located near the very spot where Rizal was executed.

 

 

San Agustin Church and Museum

One of the few buildings in Intramuros to survive the carnage of the Japanese invasion substantially intact, and Manila's oldest stone church, San Agustin Church was completed in 1606. Its present interior murals post date earthquakes in 1863 and 1889, which brought down one of its towers. The adjoining Augustinian monastery houses the San Agustin Museum, which contains much colonial religious art, including altarpieces and screens salvaged whole from other houses of worship in 1945. This is now designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO.

 

 

Manila Ocean Park

Situated near the Quirino Grandstand, Manila Ocean Park is one of the largest oceanariums in Southeast Asia, occupying more than 80,000 sq. ft. Some of the features of this marine theme park include the Agos, a rainforest complete with an assortment of different fish types. The Bahura or Reef displays replicas of various corals found in the Philippines, the Depths of the Ocean, showcasing the varied marine life forms in the seas, the Pating features different types of sharks, while the Pagi focuses on sting rays. The Living Ocean is an 80 ft walkway tunnel where one can view all kinds of marine life.

 

 

Enchanted Kingdom

If you like a theme park experience like no other, head to the Enchanted Kingdom. True to its name, the Enchanted Kingdom will keep you amused and amazed all through out. It features many exciting rides, most of which are of international calibre. The Space Shuttle, the Jungle Log Jam, the Rio Grande Rapids, the Anchors Away, the Swan lake, the Grand Carousel, the Rialto, and the Wheel of Fate are just some of the interesting attractions that you will enjoy. Plus, there are a variety of souvenir items that you may take home to complete the magical experience. Enchanted Kingdom is located in Santa Rosa City, Laguna, which is about 29 kms away from Manila.

 

Antipolo Survival Trail

Antipolo City in Rizal is a nice hiking place. It features a trail that is singletrack and rocky. That’s why an Antipolo Survival Trail is one of the more interesting activities recommended for tourists and locals alike who want to have fun while being challenged. The Antipolo Survival Trail usually starts at Boso Boso, which is along Marcos Highway. It is 30 kms away from Manila and quite very accessible by public transport. It is a 15kms challenge trail that includes stream crossings and muddy clay soil. You must bring the necessary tools and accessories along. The Antipolo Survival Trail is best experienced during the cooler season, between November and February.

 

Manila Bay

Manila Bay is one of the best things about Metro Manila and the Philippines in general. It is functional, serving as the port of Luzon and a nice hub for tourist activities. Manila Bay has a coastline of 190 kms. On either side of it are two volcanic peaks, Bataan Peninsula at the north and Cavite at the south. There are several islands within the bay and the most popular and the largest of them is Corregidor Island. In the metro, Manila Bay is a must-see destination ideal for relaxing walks and scenic views of the sunset.

 

National Museum of the Philippines

Founded in 1901 as the Insular Museum of Ethnology, Natural History and Commerce, the National Museum of the Philippines houses the official national collections in the sciences and humanities. The National Museum has many archaeological exhibits of the Philippines' prehistory, including the skull of 'Tabon Man', the oldest human remains in the archipelago. The Museum of the Filipino People collection includes the preserved timbers and treasures of the San Diego, a Spanish galleon that sank in Philippine waters after a collision in 1600. Also visit the Juan Luna collection of paintings. Luna was a Filipino master painter known for Spoliarium, an awe-inspiring painting depicting dead Roman gladiators being dragged away after the famed games. Luna won several major awards in his time, beating painters from all over the world.

 

Laguna

Laguna boasts one of the most beautiful country-sides in the Philippines with a plethora of waterfalls, springs, seven big rivers and the lake from which it got its name spanning all of 90 hectares, making Laguna de Bay the biggest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia.

 

 

 

Pagsanjan Falls

The quaint town of Pagsanjan was the setting of the Francis Ford Coppola's "Apocalypse Now." Its star attraction is the Pagsanjan Rapids and Falls. Pagsanjan Falls is a popular day-trip about 100 km SE of Manila located in the Laguna province near the town of Santa Cruz.  The trip up-river to the falls is the main attraction. The lower part of the river is slow and meandering with homes and palms crowding the banks. It doesn't take long before the river valley turns into a deep gorge and the quiet waters become cascading rapids. The paddlers often jump out of the boat to manhandle it between boulders while dodging other canoes on their way down to where Pagsanjan Falls tumbles over. Here you can take a raft-ferry across the plunge pool to the base of the falls.

 

Tagaytay City

A one hour drive south of Manila is Tagaytay, a city perched on a ridge. From the Tagaytay Picnic Grove, there is an unobstructed view of Volcano Island. A volcano within a lake, at 406 meters, Taal Volcano, is the smallest volcano in the world.  It was thought to be named as "a volcano inside a volcano" because many believed that the lake that circles the volcano was once a crater or mouth of a volcano. You can rent a boat to cross the lake and visit the crater up close. The climate here is cool and relaxing and several entrepreneurs have set up restaurants.

 

Hidden Valley

In the town of Alaminos, is Hidden Valley which is actually a volcano crater. A number of hot, cold and soda springs lace a forest of towering fruit trees, tropical shrubs and flowering plants. The tropical forest resort of Hidden Valley, located 5km from Alaminos, offers hot springs, jungle walks and natural swimming pools. Alaminos is approximately 70kms north of Manila.

 

 

Corregidor

Corregidor is a tiny tadpole-shaped island lying across the entrance of Manila Bay. Also known as "The Rock," it was the focus of a protracted battle between Filipino-American and Japanese forces during the Second World War. The shell of the Mile Long Barracks still stands. Within the Malinta Tunnel, a light-and-sound show is staged for day tourists. The entire island situated 48km west of Manila, just off the southern tip of Bataan Peninsula has now been turned into a memorial and museum by the Corregidor Foundation and wartime fortifications litter the landscape. At its centre is the Pacific War Memorial, and other landmarks include the Malinta Tunnel underground hospital, General MacArthur's Headquarters, the Spanish lighthouse and the artillery batteries.

Nightlife in Manila

At night, there are many choices of bar strips to aim for in Metro Manila. Malate is one of the most famous ones. Makati and Global City also have bar strips in the Greenbelt and Bonifacio High Street malls respectively. In Quezon City, Morato Avenue is dotted with bars, dining places and comedy clubs. Eastwood City in Quezon City is another favourite hangout of locals. Most bars close at 0200 and may extend during weekends and holidays.

 

Apart from the sites mentioned above, there is much more to do in Manila. The Manila Memorial Park, Malacanang Palace, Fort Santiago, Paco Park, Greenbelt Park, Chinatown, Malate Church, Ayala Museum, Manila Cathedral, Araneta Coliseum, Japanese Garden, Star City, Casa Manila Museum and many more.