| The city of Manila is located on the west | | | | peak times it can be a sweaty battle of |
| coast of the Philippine main island of Luzon | | | | nerves just to get a few hundred metres. |
| and surrounded by fertile plains. The city | | | | |
| straddles at the delta of the Pasig River, a | | | | At the heart of Manilas history is |
| short navigable stream that connects the | | | | Intramuros. It features the grand Manila |
| fresh water Lake of Laguna de Bay with Manila | | | | Cathedral with its detailed stone carvings |
| Bay and the South China Sea. | | | | and stained glass mosaics. Fort Santiago, the |
| | | | site of torture chambers and dungeons and the |
| It sets the archipelagos rhythm and is | | | | favourite wedding spot, the San Agustin |
| pulsating hub that blends the Oriental with | | | | Church. |
| the Occidental, the quaint with the modern, | | | | |
| the mundane with the extraordinary. The | | | | Its relentless bustle and notorious nightlife |
| capital follows the curve of Manila Bay | | | | are both exciting and draining, but if its |
| approximately from north to south. It is the | | | | action youre looking prepare you for non stop |
| largest city in Southeast Asia with | | | | action. You can listen to a wide variety of |
| approximately 10 million people. | | | | popular bands and singers, take advantage of |
| | | | Happy hour specials, dance up a storm at |
| Whenever Manila is mentioned, the speaker | | | | clubs and street parties, or cap an |
| actually refers sometimes unknowingly to a | | | | exhilarating night with a cappuccino at a |
| vast conglomeration of 12 cities and five | | | | corner cafe. Hotspots not to be missed are |
| municipalities. Each is an autonomous | | | | bohemian Malate in Manila, upscale Ayala |
| political entity, but together functioning as | | | | Rockwell in Makati, and the trendy Libis and |
| one city called Metro Manila. Exploring this | | | | Timog Avenue in Quezon City. |
| sprawling metropolis can be quite a daunting | | | | |
| prospect even for its residents, but as a | | | | Fascination is an understatement of the |
| visitor you may rest assured that your stay | | | | feeling that one gets by visiting Manila, a |
| will be most likely confined to certain | | | | lively metropolis commanding a magnificent |
| areas, as outlined in this guide. | | | | view of the world famous Manila Bay and its |
| | | | golden sunset. Historic, bustling, awe |
| The roads in Manila are in a perpetual state | | | | inspiring, the Philippine Cosmopolitan |
| of chaos bordering on anarchy, a result of | | | | Capital is a blend of cultures and flavours |
| the capitals rising population and poor | | | | that offers an endless serving of places to |
| infrastructure. There are so many vehicles | | | | see, sights to behold, and experiences to |
| fighting for every inch of road space that at | | | | never forget. |