Must see attractions in Manila

Standing as a beacon of serenity among its bawdy surrounds, this Taoist temple is both peaceful and beautiful, and worth popping into for a look.

The smell of incense wafts out of the large Seng Guan Buddhist Temple, the centre of Manila’s Buddhist community. It's just north of Chinatown in the hard…

A shady spot in Rizal Park where regulars test each other and look for new blood with shouts to visitors of ‘Hey Joe, do you play chess?’.

This is a famous Ninoy Aquino statue that shows him right before he was shot. It’s built on the spot where many pro-democracy rallies took place in the…

A rotunda memorial at the busy intersection of T Morato and Timog Ave, which commemorates the 24 boy scouts who died in a plane crash in 1963.

Fortified bastion shaped like an ace of spades dating back to 1586, making it one of the oldest stone fortifications in Intramuros.

This gigantic 3D relief map of the Philippines is at the far eastern end of Rizal Park.

A gallery and creative events space in Makati. Soon to relocate to upper Burgos St.

Plaza Miranda has some history. This is where the common folk came to watch beauty contests, political rallies, and various events and festivities, until…

In the centre of Teodoro Valencia Circle in Rizal Park stands a triumphant Lapu Lapu, the 16th-century national hero famous for slaying the Portuguese…

This triangular defensive fortification was built to help protect Intramuros after a Chinese uprising in 1603. Parian were the ghetto-like districts where…

Ornate arch marking the entrance to Chinatown when coming over the Jones Bridge. Do not confuse it with the gargantuan new (2015) Chinatown Arch, which is…

This is where Philippine presidents take their oath of office and deliver their first address to the nation. It's at the western end of Rizal Park.

Offering a sanctuary from the mayhem of downtown Manila, the flower-filled Manila Orchidarium is a relaxing spot, with orchids growing among water…

Stone defensive bulwark that was part of the original fortification of Intramuros. It dates back to 1592 and is named after the Japanese enclave it faced…

This gate to the walled city of Intramuros, built in 1662, led to the palaces of the Spanish governor general. José Rizal passed through here on the way…

This gate to the old walled city of Intramuros was built in 1663 for the exclusive use of the Spanish governor general during important state functions.

This monumental convention centre dating from the Marcos era is still used for bazaars, government summits and other events.

The Lapu-Lapu Statue in Rizal Park sits in the middle of Teodoro Valencia Circle.

The Spanish built this pentagonal stone redoubt outside the walls of Intramuros, and used it to store ammunition.