Philippines Travel Guide

The Capitol of the Republic of the Philippines is Manila, a feast for the eyes and the soul. Manila was first known as Ginto (land of gold) or Suvarnadvipa by its neighboring provinces, and was officially the Kingdom of Maynila. The Kingdom of Maynila flourished during the latter half of the Ming Dynasty as a result of trade relations with China. This fantastically eclectic city is the home to the government and the heart of the Philippines. No city comes close to the essence that is Manila and none even try. The Filipino people hold this capital city close to both their hearts and their reasons for being. Manila is that important and that endeared to the indigenous people of this island nation. Located on the largest island in the Philippines, Luzon, this magnificent city is bordered on all sides by the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea. To say that the people that call Manila home are sweet on seafood would be an understatement! Some of the best seafood is caught in the local salty waters of both of these important bodies of water and the Filipino cousine showcases this superbly.

Manila, The Heart of the Philippines

Manila is a vibrant city loaded with people and cars and there is so much to see and experience here in this Capital city. The city has been the scene of monumental battles with the Japanese and the place where peace was issued after the battle of Corregidor. That is what Manila is all about, the eclectic good and the necessary bad. To say that Manila is one of the safest cities in the Philippines would not be entirely correct and would be misleading at best. It is better to give a cautionary pre-warning in regards to wandering around certain sections of the town during the nighttime hours. This is not recommended in most of the cities of the world and would not be the best idea in Manila either. Be careful and just keep a sense of what is going on around the area that is being discovered and the visit to Manila will be the one that is recalled throughout the years!

The Manila Experience

The flight into Manila will take the adventurer to the hustling and bustling Ninoy Aquino International Airport, one of the busiest in the world! Make sure that the realization that the spacious accommodations of the other 7,000 islands are that way for a reason as Manila is the exact opposite. The mass of humanity that can be impressive at times makes Manila one of the most densely populated places on planet earth! Recall that Manila is the alpha and the omega for any international visitor coming into the country of the Philippines and this is one of the reasons why the Capital city of Manila is so populated at all times.

Manila Attractions

The city has been one of the premiere tourist destinations in the East. Within Manila lies several notable landmarks in the Philippines which are very popular tourist destinations, such as the 1322 Golden Empire at Roxas Boulevard, the Apolinario Mabini Shrine, Bahay Tsinoy, Basilica of San Sebastian, the Baywalk, and many others. Some of the more favored attractions for Manila are Intramuros, Fort Santiago, and Luneta or Rizal Park (named after the Philippine’s National Hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal). Any of those listed above locations will be a fantastic time for all yet there is one place in Manila that must be seen to be believed.