4 Reasons to Visit Manila City
Manila is the capital city of the Philippines. It’s called the “Pearl of the Orient Seas” because it is a progressive city with astounding golden sunsets that can be viewed from the shores of Manila Bay. It’s also known as Southeast Asia’s hidden gem.
If you’re planning a trip to the Philippines, you should definitely spend some time in the capital. Here are some reasons why:
The breathtaking view of the Manila Bay sunset.
Manila Bay is considered one of the country’s best spots to catch the sunset. You can see the sun slowly descend over the bay’s horizon without any foreground distraction.
The breathtaking sight of a sunset painting the sea and the skies with a reddish-gold hue can help you forget about the worries and drudgery of everyday life.
Aside from watching the beautiful sunset, you can stroll along the Manila Baywalk, where you can feel the calm bay waters, see the golden skies, and breathe fresh air in the bay’s breezes. Nightly cruises are also available from the harbor at the southern end of the baywalk. From the deck of the boat, you can see the area’s vibrant nighttime lights.
Here are other things you can do in Manila Bay:
- Do photo-walks — Get a picture-perfect “silhouette” — mysterious shadow against the background that glows. Silhouette photos capture the scene with a bit of drama, mood, and mystery.
- Get on a cruise — Experience the romantic dinners between the sunsets and seascapes. Lean against the railing of the top deck and take in the stunning sunset while you hear the waves crashing.
- Listen to music and performances — There are many restaurants in Manila Bay that offer live acts that you can watch and listen to such as concerts, live bands, and many more.
There are also great bars with live music where you can chill over a beer or glass of wine.
It’s home to the oldest Chinatown in the world.
Bindondo is the Chinatown of Manila. The word “Binondo” comes from the Tagalog word “binondoc,” which means mountainous. Founded by Spanish Governor Luis Perez Dasmarinas in 1954, this downtown area was set for Chinese immigrants who converted to Catholicism. In Binondo, you’ll discover how the culture of the Far East has influenced the life of every Filipino as you go on a culture-enriched adventure.
Things to do in Binondo are:
- Bargain hunting along Ongpin Street
- Seeing the world’s largest Chinatown arch (Filipino — Chinese Friendship Arch)
- Walking along the old streets of Escolta
Binondo has remained one of the most popular locations because of its authentic Chinese cuisine and affordable shopping.
Cuisines are definitely a must-try.
Around the metropolitan area, you can find plenty of food stalls called carinderias and food carts that serve a variety of Filipino specialties. One of the most popular Filipino cuisines is chicken adobo. It’s marinated in a mixture of soy sauce and vinegar, salt, garlic, pepper, and other spices. No list of Filipino foods is complete without adobo!
Aside from tasting the famous adobo, you here is some foods you shouldn’t miss trying out on your Manila trip:
- Lechon — This is the most invited party guest in the Philippines. The entire pig is roasted over coals. The crisp golden-brown skin with the liver sauce is the most desired part.
- Pancit — (also spelled as pansit) It usually consists of noodles cooked with soy sauce with some variation of meats and chopped vegetables. It’s often served on many occasions like birthdays, weddings, and fiestas.
No celebration is complete without a pancit! Many Filipinos believe that it’s a symbol of good health and long life.
- Kare-kare– It’s an oxtail stew that is served with the most delectable sauce made from ground, toasted rice and crushed peanuts. It has banana blossom, eggplants, and string beans that add more interesting textures.
Kare-kare is best when paired with steamed rice and bagoong (shrimp paste).
Locals are very kind and friendly.
It’s a general perception that Filipinos are warm and hospitable people. They are always friendly and willing to help without expecting anything in return. Whenever a visitor stays in a Filipino home, there will always be a feast or a grand celebration.
In addition to that, Filipinos don’t just share their meals but also their homes. It’s common for Filipinos to say, “Feel at home,” to make sure that their visitors feel comfortable during their stay.
Manila is the ideal starting point for your exploration of the Philippines. The moment you step out of the plane, your Philippine tour begins.
Being safe in Manila
Like any metropolis, Manila is a generally safe city with areas you are best to avoid. Current reports state that the crime rate in Metro Manila this year has decreased by at least 4 percent.
But regardless of this data, it’s always good to be cautious. Theft and robbery cases still happen, particularly in the more impoverished areas of the city.
So it’s advisable not to walk with flashy, fancy jewelry or bring loads of cash with you.
Getting Around Manila
Unfortunately, traffic and public transportation are not some of Manila’s stronger points. You might get stuck in heavy traffic or get lost in the narrow streets of the city. Read on for tips to keep you guided.
By Bus
There is a free shuttle bus going to all terminals in the airport every 15 minutes, depending on the traffic. Or you can take the Airport Loop bus from all terminals. It will take you from the airport to Baclaran, Manila Metro Rail Transit (MRT), Pasay Rotonda, and Taft Avenue.
By Taxi/Cabs
All Manila airports have taxi stands. You can choose from the following:
- Regular Taxi — white taxi/cabs with a per kilometer fee and fixed flag down rate
- Yellow Airport Taxi — same as the white taxi/cabs, with fixed flag down rate and a per kilometer fee, but almost double than the regular taxi
- Coupon Taxi — blue-marked white taxi/cabs for a charge fixed price
Come and Experience Manila City
Manila is many things — it is a place of contrasts, where the old and new meet in an explosion of vibrant colors, smells, and sounds.
Be sure to put Manila on your list, and don’t miss the beauty of this place!
