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 remarkable attractions.

Manila is home to a vibrant metropolitan area, the Metro Manila area, sometimes referred to as the National Capital Region (NCR), of which city forms a part. A fine blend of ancient traditions and modernity, Manila showcases an exceptional range of attractions, from colonial structures and parks and museums to fantastic restaurants and exotic shopping malls.

The city is also much famed for its breathtaking vistas comprising the exceptional Manila Bay as well as its scenic golden sunset. Equally worth mentioning is the Manila’s nightlife, with an astounding array of bars, casinos, clubs, and discotheques. Above all, Manila serves as an excellent base to enjoy a variety of exciting activities.

Erected in 1571 by the Spaniards, Intramuros is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Manila. A tour to this amazing walled complex is a great way to experience the rich heritage of the place. Found within the complexes are attractions such as Manila Cathedral and San Agustin Church – the oldest church of the city, Fort Santiago – a 16th century fort built on the ashes of a Muslim king, and Casa Manila – a 19th century mansion graced with beautiful furniture

There is also a museum within the old monastery of the San Agustin Church, exhibiting a rare collection of oil paintings. Further, attractions here cover the Rizal Park – a sought after area for relaxing and enjoying recreational activities. Named in the honor of Jose Rizal – the national hero, the park also holds the distinction of being the largest park in Asia. For those who want to experience the influence of China on the Philippines, a great option would be visit China Town, dotted with superb malls, shops, and restaurants.

Your Manila vacation would not be complete without taking a tour to museums in Manilas, such as, the Metropolitan Museum of Art displaying both classical and contemporary fine arts and the National Museums, or the Museum of the Filipino Peoples, with exhibits portraying the ancient history of the place.

A good number of parks and gardens also form Manila’s attractions. Some of the renowned parks in the area are Greenbelt Park comprising small malls and Paco Park, a well-manicured park which was once a cemetery. Most prominent among the gardens are Chinese Garden, Everest Hills Memorial Garden, Father Blanco’s Garden, and the Japanese Garden. Also, while your stay at Manila take a tour to some of the ancient churches in the area like Bonifacio Shrine, Manila Cathedral, and Quiapo Church.

In addition, Manila is a venue to enjoy a great number of leisure activities. A trip to such destination as Tagaytay, which is much famed for its Taal Volcano, would be unforgettable. Another must-see spot nearby Manila is Laguna, an amazing spot blessed with hot sulphur springs. Similarly, an excursion to Pagsanjan via a canoe ride offers a unique experience.

Above all, Manila is home to a number of festivals, which among many others, are Cinemanila International Film Festival, Chinese New Year, Fiesta of the Black Nazarene, Bailes de Los Arcos, Likhang Kamay, Senakulo, and Metro Manila Film Festival.

Above mentioned are just few among many of the attractions in Manila. Hence, no wonder why tourists flock to Manila all-year round. Manila has accommodation options to cater every taste and pocket. From budget villas and hotels to high-end resorts and apartment, Manila’s accommodation choices are superb.

If you are ready to spend extravagantly, you can go for accommodation that are complete with comfortable rooms, automatic wake-up call, voice mail, air conditioning, data port, and satellite TV. Such facilities as business center, private parking facility, currency exchange facilities, and internet access, are also made available. Further, many of them are within the easy reach of the city’s top attractions. There are also some hotels and resorts, providing packages inclusive of accommodation, dining, and facilities to explore the attractions of the place.

Since many of the hotels, resorts, and other service providers have their own websites, it enables for easy booking of rooms online. All you have to do with regard to online booking is to just enter their website, and inform your budget and preference. Some of them even arrange transportation facilities to pick you to and fro the airport.

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.