A holiday in the Philippines will never be complete without exploring its capital, Manila. Home to more than 1.6 million people, Manila is one of the crowded yet entertaining cities in the country. The busy streets and hardworking people add to the rich history of Manila, which charms local and foreign guests with its vintage and modern features.

Manila is a magnet for history buffs. Some of the major landmarks built during the Spanish era are located in the city. The deep Hispanic influence on the country can be traced in old churches and art galleries around the city. But aside from its rich past, Manila is also known as a center for politics, economics, culture, and commerce.

The city, which is divided into sixteen geographical districts, has one of the largest Chinatowns in the world. On the streets of Binondo line numerous shops selling a wide selection of Chinese goods and delicacies. Manila, which covers an area of 0.66 square kilometers, is also home to posh hotels, modern shopping malls, parks, exquisite events, and recreational areas.

The following attractions were taken from several Philippine travel guides the author used to come up with this article about Manila.

Intramuros

Make sure to visit Intramuros if you're in Manila. The "Walled City" hosts a number of old places of worship such as the San Agustin Church and the Manila Cathedral. Built in the 16th century, Intramuros is also home to art galleries and museums such as Casa Manila, Bahay Tsinoy, and San Agustin Museum. Some of the country's higher learning institutions, including Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila and Mapua Institute of Technology, are inside Intramuros.

Rizal Park

Rizal Park is probably the most famous urban park in the Philippines. Situated at the heart of Manila, the 58-hectare park houses the monument of national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. The site is guarded by ceremonial soldiers 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Rizal Park, also known as Luneta, also features ornamental gardens, a chess plaza, and a skating rink. Regular free concerts are staged in an open-air auditorium in Luneta.

Manila Bay

Manila Bay is a tourist magnet practically because of its beautiful golden sunset. Always have your camera ready when watching the sun go down. A side-attraction in Manila Bay is the hoard of boats moored in the Manila Yacht Club. There are numerous restaurants, cafes, and bars on the so-called Manila Baywalk, which is an ideal setting for a romantic dinner or a friendly chat over bottles of beer.

National Museum of the Philippines

The National Museum of the Philippines is the official repository and guardian of the country's natural and cultural heritage. This government-established institution has a vast collection of artifacts in the fields of history, anthropology, ethnography, archaeology, botany, and geology. Juan Luna's "Spoliarium," the grand prize winner at the 1884 Exposicion Nacional de Bellas Artes in Spain,is among the famous artworks displayed at the museum.

Exploring the beauty of Manila doesn't end in the above-mentioned attractions. Other must-visit places in the city include Fort Santiago, the Malacañang Palace, the Chinese Cemetery, Quiapo Church, Plaza San Luis, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and the Manila Ocean Park.

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Allan Leandro Merin has been writing for a living since 2008. After leaving a career at a daily electronic newspaper, he joined a web development outsourcing company and linked up with Local Philippines, the most comprehensive online directory of Philippine destinations, events, and attractions http://www.localphilippines.com/.