• Tara na •

sa Maynila!
Must-See Places When Visiting the Capital City of the Philippines
Manila can offer so
many rich
experiences for a
first-time visitor.
While the city may be known for its modern structures,
lifestyle centers, and bustling nightlife, it's also home
to a number of historical and cultural spots that shouldn't
be missed.
 •
Did you know Manila
is home to a famous
UNESCO Heritage Site?
The San Agustin Church along General Luna Street in Manila
is one of the four Spanish Colonial-era baroque churches
in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
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church

It was completed in 1607, making it the oldest church in the Philippines.

It features intricate art, grand vaulted ceilings, 3D carvings, and majestic Parisian
chandeliers. Its beauty makes it a popular choice for weddings.
 San t a
Suppose you're into this type of cultural
immersion. Why not visit the Philippines' ma ria
three other baroque churches that also made
it to the UNESCO list?

Go on a road trip up north to visit the Santa

Paoay
Ilocos sur

•
Maria Church in Ilocos Sur and the Paoay

•
Church in Ilocos Norte. The Miagao Church
in Iloilo might take you off course. Still, it's well
worth visiting - perhaps on your second or third
time to the Philippines. mi
miaag
gaao
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• Did you know that
the oldest Hispanic
stone fortress
is in Manila?
And it's quite close to San Agustin Church, too!
So while you're in the area, make sure to visit
Fort Santiago in vintage Intramuros.

It was constructed in the late 1500s

to serve as one of the Spaniard’s defense lines.
 • fort •
santiago

Fort Santiago has a rather dark history as it served so many purposes

— it was a storage for war ammunitions, and its dungeons were turned
into cells for political prisoners.

The National Hero of the Philippines, Jose Rizal,

was detained in Fort Santiago before his public execution.
Continue traveling
back in time at the
Baluarte de San Diego
Part of Manila's colonized historical era
is the Baluarte de San Diego in Intramuros.
•
Like Fort Santiago, it served as part of the colonial fortification
of the Spaniards. The beautiful gardens, rich history,
and Baluarte de San Diego's structural intricacies
make it a must-visit.
• Did you know that a replica
of the eight-foot Statue of Liberty used to stand
in the Baluarte de San Diego? Rumor has it that
it mysteriously disappeared in the early 1970s.

The Statue of Liberty's replica was a gift of the

United States to celebrate the Philippines'
struggle for liberation and independence
from foreign rule.
 National
•Museum•
complex
Immerse yourself in the rich history and culture
of the Philippines at the National Museum Complex

The National Museum of the Philippines is an umbrella organization

that manages the country's four major museums,
all located in Manila.
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The four
• major •
museums
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 • The four major museums •

Si
Sini
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maynila
•

•
The National Museum of Fine The National
Arts, where The Spoliarium by Museum of Anthropology,
Juan Luna is housed. where you can learn about
the baybayin or the country's
oldest script handed down
from ancestors.
 • The four major museums •
planetaryo
The National Planetarium, where
real-life displays of celestial
bodies are projected.
• Likas na •
kasaysayan
The National
Museum of Natural History,
where the skeletal remains of
the largest crocodile
in captivity Lolong hang from
the second floor.
Oh wait! Before you go...
Go on a satisfying food crawl in Binondo -the oldest Chinatown in
the world. It was established in 1594 by the Spaniards as a
settlement area for Chinese migrants.

Enjoy authentic Cantonese meals from hole-in-the-wall restaurants, and

take home freshly-baked treats, such as hopia, tikoy, and Macau egg
tarts, to end your Manila adventure on a sweet note.

• •
 •
Rent a bike as you alternate from one
Manila must-see site to the next.
This is also a smart way to avoid traffic!

And if you ever see a kalesa, don't miss

the opportunity to ride on one for a truly
local Manila experience.
While you're
still in Manila...
Score cheap finds and hunt for bargains in Divisoria.
It has literally everything you might need.
Just make sure to get that extra baggage allowance
once it's time to go home.
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