Recent Blogs Created
Recent blogs created by our usersThere are currently 0 users online.
 |
Jan
10
Manila Travel & Sightseeing Guide
January 10, 2008 |
Manila Skyline. Image courtesy Wikipedia
A trip to Manila
Once ruled by a Sultan from Borneo and later by Spanish conquerors, Manila boasts a long and varied history involving cultures from around the globe. Today, this capital city welcomes international travellers with a range of accommodation and endless options for entertainment. The combination of marvellous historic landmarks, a resilient night-scene that can outlast even the most dedicated partiers and a unique fusion of international cuisine puts Manila at the top of the list for many international travellers.
Flights to Manila
Ninoy Aquino International Airport boasts three terminals and a long roster of international flights to cities across Asia, Europe and beyond. The airport is located just a few kilometres outside of the city centre, so hiring a taxi to take you downtown is affordable as well as convenient. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Manila try Expedia. There is also a shuttle bus from the airport which will take you to the metro station and is a cheaper option, although you will need to make sure you know which line you need.
Manila’s metro system, LRT, operates a Yellow and Purple Line with stations across the metropolitan area. This is by far the easiest and fastest way to get around town. If you decide to hire a taxi, make sure you board a DOT-accredited vehicle. This can be arranged from the taxi stand outside of the Arrivals area of the airport. Beware of the government operated railroad as it’s slow, cramped and notoriously unsafe.
[gmap map:101]
Sightseeing in Manila
Half the allure of the Philippines is its historical character. Intramuros is the original old city dating back to the original Spanish occupation. This part of town is rich with restored buildings and impressive architecture. It’s also a heavy shopping and entertainment area that plays host to heavy crowds of tourists. The San Agustin Church is one of the select historic buildings that survived the Japanese Invasion of WWII, and some of its oldest sections date back to the early 17th century.
Rizal Park is a lovely place to spend an afternoon. Orchids, Japanese botanical gardens, a skating rink and occasional open-air concerts can be found in this massive green space. Several museums and art galleries capture the local culture and heritage of Manila. The National Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art are the biggest contenders, the latter of which showcases a selection of ancient pottery and an impressive Gold Gallery.
Fun by night – eating drinking and partying
The nightlife in Manila is multi-faceted to say the least. You will find jazz clubs, old fashioned pubs, discos and casinos all vying for your attention. Baywalk is the hottest strip for today’s tourists. A long stretch of road along Roxas boulevard is overflowing with restaurants, live music, bars and sidewalk cafés. Popular with local university students, this part of town definitely caters to younger crowds. You’ll find discos and dance clubs in and around any of the major hotels.
Back in the 1990s, local government cracked down on the seedy Ermita red-light district, forcing the ‘bikini bars’ to clean up their act. Even so, there’s a tentative move toward reseeding this part of town. A similar vein of entertainment can also be found after hours at the Makati financial district.
No matter what your preferences are, you’ll find a restaurant in Manila that serves the kind of food you’re looking for. Authentic local and international cuisine representing the whole of Asia and Europe are easy to find, especially on Baywalk.
Fun by day - shopping and activities
As you would expect with any international tourist destination, Manila has more than enough options for the world’s most enthusiastic shoppers. Namely, the Ayala Centre (located in the Makati financial district) operates a couple of the largest upscale shopping centres in the whole country. Named Greenbelt and Glorietta, these two malls are loaded with markets as well as shops and entertainment venues which are all linked by high-rise walkways.
Comments
-
Subscribe to our RSS Feed
Recent Posts