Favorite Manila Travel Attractions

The Philippines has its center in the once glorious Old Manila. Travel attractions here still can excite a weary soul. The expanded Metro Manila is an area of 14 cities and three towns. Each city or town has its own attractions, but the city of Manila excites me most.

Whether it's a peek at history, a walk in the park, or simply a trip around the city, here are places I like best. Keep on reading, and click the link going to each attraction to find out why...

Intramuros

Intramuros, the Walled City of Manila, has amazed me since I first visited it. Its walls enclosed houses, churches, schools and government buildings. But World War II left it in ruins. Efforts to restore and develop this Manila travel attraction continue. Walking its walls gives a better view of the Walled City.

Intramuros is made of bastions, redoubts and small forts around its walls for defense and military purposes. There is a ruin that looks a base of a large tower. There's so much to see that walking the walls is a pleasure. It offers another look at the ruins and buildings inside and outside the walls.

Fort Santiago was the main line of defense at the mouth of Pasig River. It was built of earth with wooden and bamboo stakes. The stone fort was built after the attack of Chinese Lim Ah Hong in 1574. The restored Rizal Shrine houses writings of the national hero Jose Rizal. Get a better view of the skyline along the river.

Manila Cathedral was the main church of Manila. It was a stone's throw away from the home of the Spanish Governor at the right and the city hall at the left, showing how close the church and the state were. Its grand design makes your Manila travel in Intramuros worth a visit. View it from a distance. Then walk to the façade.

San Agustin Church is the oldest stone church in the Philippines. Its design combines strength and decorative art. Stout pillars support the vaulted stone ceiling. The museum shows the role of Spain and the Church in the Philippines. The bonsai plants set on the ruins at Father Blanco’s Garden are a sight to see.

Rizal Park

Near the Walled City is Rizal Park, a Manila travel attraction preferred by locals. A 58-hectare park, it is a stretch of gardens, fountains and monuments. The main attraction is the Rizal Monument, a tribute to national hero Jose Rizal. All places in the country are measured from the kilometer zero flagpole in front of it.

Roxas Boulevard

Roxas Boulevard is another stretch of Manila travel attractions. Hotels, office buildings and restaurants dominate the land side. Manila Baywalk is a portion that preserved its frontage. Several historical and architectural sights, such as the main building of the US Embassy in Manila, are in reclaimed areas.

Manila Baywalk is the only portion of Roxas Boulevard that was not reclaimed. Coconut trees and park benches line the well-designed pavement. Colorful lights and live bands used to make the night livelier. This area is best for viewing the famous Manila sunset. The sunset turns the horizon into a brilliant color of orange.

These Manila Travel attractions are in the city of Manila alone. They make Manila an exciting modern and ancient city. They are part of the glory that was Old Manila.

And that is something we Filipinos should be proud of and share to the world. We should work to regain that glory.

But I'm talking too much. This is about Manila travel attractions, and not about anything else.


Do you have a favorite attraction in Manila? Post it here! Other readers to this page will thank you for it.


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