What To See And What To Do In Manila
50069
Travel & Leisure
Oct 17, 2007
WJaegel
What To See And What To Do In Manila
The capital city of Philippines, Manila is a metropolitan area, located in the largest island of the country, Luzon, on the eastern part of the Pasig River, near the Manila Bay. Situated about 950 km from Hong Kong, Manila is one of the most tourist destinations in the world, with a spectrum of attractions, ranging from colonial edifices and historical and cultural sites to beautiful parks and interesting museums. Discussed further in this article are some of the most popular tourist destinations in Manila. Of the attractions of Manila, perhaps most prominent is Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, which stands as a symbol to commemorate those who were perished in the Second World War. Likewise, take a visit to the Chinese Cemetery, spread across 54 hectares of land. History has it that the cemetery was built by two people, Tan Quien Sien and Lim Ong, during the mid-19th century in order to bury the Chinese who were not allowed to bury in Catholic Church. Among the highlights of the cemetery are huge mausoleums and paved paths. Situated in Binondo, along the northern banks of the Pasig River is Chinatown, which represents the long history of the presence of the Chinese people in the country. Established during the 16th century, Chinatown is the oldest of its kind in the world. A spectrum of items ranging from home accessories and Chinese herbal medicines to superb jewelry and Chinese artifacts can be shopped here. Another worth visiting destination in Manila is Intramuros, also referred to as the Walled City. Built in 1571 during the period of Spain's colonization in the country, Intramuros's attractions cover an array of European edifices, churches, and colonial style houses. Intramuros also include a good number of forts and dungeons, of which one of the oldest fortifications is Fort Santiago. Also known as the Shrine of Freedom, Fort Santiago is a ruined ancient Spanish fort, which has been now converted into a park. During the Second World War, the Japanese used this fort as a prison. A climb to atop of the fort provides you stunning views of the Pasig River. Probably, the greatest of the attractions of the fort is the Rizal Shrine Museum, where items made as well as used by the national hero of the country, Jose Rizal, can be seen. Also, an attraction of the park is a collection of cars owned by previous presidents. Historical sites in Manila also include San Augustine Church - the oldest church in the city. Constructed in 1586 and completed in 1606, San Augustine is one of the four Baroque churches in the country that has been listed on UNESCO's World Heritage Site. Attractions, among many others, of the church are intricately carved doors, the tombstone on the floorings, 14th century chandeliers, the pulpit, the side chapels, and an 18th century pipe organ. Other significant historical cum cultural sites in the area are Plaza San Luis, a complex consisting of five houses, namely, Casa Blanca, Casa Manila, Casa Urdaneta, El Hogar Filipino, and Los Hidalgos; and Malacanang Palace - once the summer residence for the Spanish governor-general - now serves as the official residence of the highest chief executive of Philippines. Also, while your stay at Manila, take a tour to destinations such as Coconut Palace, Manila City Hall, Palacio del Gobernador, Paco Park, Roxas Boulevard, and Quezon Memorial Circle. A must-see attraction in Manila is the Carfel Seashell Museum, housing an extensive selection of rare seashells collected from across the world. Some of the rarities in the museum are the Cypraea aurantium and Conus gloriamaris. Manila has something for everyone. For instance, if you are a golf enthusiast, then head to Metro Manila's 11 golfing greens. For those looking for something unique, one of the best options would be to take Jungle Survival Training courses, ranging from basic training programs to advanced level jungle survival programs. Superb options are also available in the form of the Light and Sound Sculptural Show of Jose Rizal, which is conducted within the Jose Rizal Park. Aside these, Manila boast of some excellent mountaineering areas. Above all, the nightlife in Manila is legendary, with a variety of bars, restaurants, and discotheques that are opened until late night. With these umpteen attractions and options to enjoy a range of activities, Manila draws people from all around the world. Accommodation options, including hotels, resorts, and private villas, in Manila are designed in such a way that they cater to every type of vacationer, no matter you are budget conscious or a luxury-lover. There are also some hotels and resorts, providing packages inclusive of accommodation, dining, and other facilities to discover the superb attractions of the place. Nowadays, many of the hotels and resorts provide options to book a hotel room online. For this, all you have to do is to just let them know your likes and preference. Then, wait for a relaxed vacation in this amazing destination.
The Accor Group manages Hotels with the Sofitel, Novotel, Mercure, All Seasons, Ibis, Formule 1, Grand Mercure brands and offers services to corporate clients and public institutions: 23 million people in 35 countries use a broad range of services engineered and managed by Accor Services.
send email to WJaegel
Write a Review
Add to My Favorite
Refer it to Friend
Report Article
Other links owned by this user
Hong Kong was once a sleepy fishing village. But, with the arrival of the British in 1842, it became a crown colony of the United Kingdom, which continued until 1997, when the British handed it over to China, after signing an historic agreement by the the
Category:
Manila is an enchanting tourist destination, situated at the mouth of the Pasig River on the eastern shores of the Luzon Island - the largest island of the Philippines. The capital city of the Philippine, Manila is regarded as a gateway to the nation's re
Category:
No matter you are a business owner, manager, or a salesperson who are looking to maximize output of your firm or looking to enhance your career, then one of the best options would be to undertake professional business training courses. In other words, pro
Category:
Steeped in history and tradition, Hanoi is not only the capital but also the cultural, economic and political center of Socialist Republic of Vietnam. A burgeoning hub of international trade and center, this unique city is stunningly located in the northe
Category:
Whistler, acknowledged as the 'Natural Year-Round Playground and becomes a sought after destination for enjoying skiing and other activities like snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and sleigh riding.
Category:
The DOC recently released the 2007 National Export Strategy, which outlines the Bush administration's priorities for promoting U.S. exports in the coming year.
Category:
Business processing software now finds a prominent position in almost all types of business, no matter it is a small business set up or a large business corporation.
Category:
Seychelles, situated in the Indian Ocean, is an independent country which gained independence from the UK in 1976. Over the last ten years or so, the Seychelles offshore financial services industry has experienced a significant increase in business depth,
Category:
Malaysia is a fantastic destination, situated right in the heart of South-east Asia. Bestowed with rich bio-diversity of marine life, sandy beaches, and clear sparkling water - Malaysia's each of the more than 200 islands is a much favored spot for enjoyi
Category:
In recent years, outsourcing of business software solutions has gained much importance. Whether it is a small business set up or a huge business corporation, the economic as well as competitive pressures involved in today's dynamic business environment ha
Category:
The branch of learning wine tasting has now become an indispensable segment of social entertainment. Wine tasting courses are simply courses whose purpose is to make you adept in the technique of tasting wines, and recognize its appearance and smell.
Category:
Let it be small business organization or huge business set ups, project management software plays a prominent role in the effectual carrying out of a myriad of tasks in connection with communication, coordination, collaboration, budget management, documen
Category:
Phuket, also known as the 'Pearl of the South,' is the largest island in Thailand, spread across 570 sq km. Located in the sparkling as well as clear green water of the Andaman Sea, Phuket is about 890 km from Bangkok.
Category:
Ceramic tiles are variously shaped slabs, made from a mixture of clay, sand, and a host of other natural ingredients. Since decades, it has been a popular decorative option. According to certain records, its history dates back to 4th century BC when ceram
Category:
With the advances of technology and the media hype surrounding security risks, one would assume that security would always remain at the top of Organizations' priority lists.
Category:
French Polynesia is a French overseas collectivity located in the South Pacific Ocean. An astounding vacation spot, this mid-ocean archipelago is made up of five unique island groups such as Society Islands, the Marquesas Islands, the Austral Islands, the
Category:
Located about 250 km northwest of Tahiti, Bora Bora is an exotic volcanic island in the Leeward group of the Society archipelago in French Polynesia. Founded in 1722 by Roggeveen - a Dutch navigator, Bora Bora's history is marked by several wars held betw
Category:
Located about 120 km north of Vancouver in Canada is Whistler - a charming four-season resort, which is nestled at the base of two majestic mountains: Whistler and Blackcomb.
Category:
by a barrier reef, the island is noted for its incredible lagoon within which lie many small islets or motus.
Category:
The banking industry in Thailand forms an essential segment of the nation's financial services industry. In other words, banking sector in Thailand is well-established.
Category:
Other links at Travel & Leisure
Sacramento is a culturally rich city and has a glorious past. Apart from being a hot favorite among the local people, the city attracts the rich and famous from neighboring countries as well.
Category:
Most travelers would love to have someone else take over the planning responsibilities of their vacation. People are turning to tour companies to plan their vacations because they are representatives of the countries that will be visited.
Category:
A guide to the three greatest examples of architecture in the world. A great list to inspire you.
Category:
The country has a relatively long coastline in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, as well as a number of rivers and streams that attract specialist rafters from all over the world.
Category:
Canada is a great place for vacations due to its infinite diversity. Between the two seas that flank it on the east and the west, the Canadian land contains everything from brambling rock to pristine glaciers.
Category:
Site Sponsor
Directory Statistics
Articles: 68222
Categories: 501
Yahoo Entertainment
