Manila Introduction
Like a phoenix rising from the ashes of World War II, Manila has grown to become one of Asia's busiest megacities. This Philippine metropolis is a dazzling array of glittering skyscrapers, air-conditioned shopping malls, neon-lit clubs, and pubs that close only with the breaking of the dawn. Yet to travel in Manila is also an opportunity to become acquainted with a city drenched in culture and history, where the architecture and cuisine are imbued with Spanish, Malay, Arabic, Chinese, and American influences.
Hotels in Manila
You'll find no shortage of hotels in Manila to suit all kinds of tastes and budgets. Upscale accommodations are plentiful, where both leisure and business travelers experience 5-star treatment with amenities such as spacious, air-conditioned rooms and suites with minibars, iPod docks, and cable TV. Fine-dining restaurants, full-service spas, and outdoor swimming pools are also par for the course at luxury hotels in Manila. Cheap Manila hotels are just as abundant, many with free Wi-Fi and breakfast, along with dorm-style accommodations or private rooms with hot and cold showers.
Where to stay
Ermita in downtown Manila is a popular destination for tourists. Both upscale and discount hotels dot the area, and it's home to several large shopping malls. It has urban parks with green and quiet spaces, imposing neoclassical and art deco buildings that catch the eye, and museums that offer glimpses of the country's rich culture and history. Nearby Malate is a colorful neighborhood known for its vibrant nightlife. Foreigners and locals throng its streets, where you can find charming boutique hotels, sidewalk cafes, and bars and clubs where happy hour seems to go on all night.
Things to see
One of the most popular spots in the city is the
Manila Zoological and Botanical Garden. Inaugurated in 1959, the sprawling 14-acre zoo houses about a thousand animals, including a Bengal tiger, an Asian elephant born in the 1970s, and a Malayan civet. Walk among exotic plants from the Philippines and the South Pacific in the botanical garden and arboretum, or rent a boat and go for a peaceful paddle in the zoo's lagoon. The baroque-style
Quiapo church is one of Manila's most visited landmarks. Within it is enshrined the statue of the Black Nazarene, believed by many devotees to hold miraculous powers. The church is surrounded by street stalls where you can buy everything from cheap produce to clothes to cell phone accessories, or even have your palm read by a fortune teller. The Rizal Shrine in colonial
Fort Santiago is one of the country's most historical sites. Dedicated to national hero Jose Rizal, it's where you can see some of his personal memorabilia, as well as the cell where he spent his last night before being executed by Spanish colonizers.
How to get to Manila
Manila is mainly served by the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, which receives many travelers from abroad and other parts of the Philippines. From the airport, you can opt to take one of the numerous taxis waiting outside the terminals, or an UBE Airport Express bus which terminates at Roxas Boulevard in Manila. The city can also be reached by sea, via the Port of Manila, the country's main seaport. Manila connects to other parts of the metropolis via 2 lines of the Manila Light Rail Transit System and the commuter trains operated by the Philippine National Railways. A ferry service traversing the Pasig River brings passengers to and from Pasig City and the walled area of Intramuros. Colorful jeepneys, tricycles, and pedicabs also abound in Manila.
