Manila, the capital city of the Philippines, bears a uniquely fused spirit that is both Asian and Spanish. Colonized by Spain in 1571, it was known as 'The Pearl of the Orient', the jewel of Spain's empire in the Pacific.

The country gained its independence after World War II. However, much of the city was destroyed, and it never managed to rebuild itself or reclaim its regional importance and identity. Present-day Metro Manila is a conglomeration of 17 cities and municipalities--a "mega-city" offering a blend of cultures.

It is hard to determine exactly what Manila is. It is an amalgamation of contrasts: extreme wealth and poverty, sidewalk vendors and civilized shopping malls and bustling chaos and peaceful greenery.

The city of Manila houses numerous landmarks, parks and open spaces, museums, shopping centers, as well as abundant nightlife. At the heart of the city lies Intramuros, where forts and dungeons, old churches and colonial houses can be found.

Getting around Manila

Like many Asian cities, Manila faces a great deal of traffic congestion that leaves you in a quagmire during rush hour or rain. Fortunately, transport is fairly cheap, including the taxis.

Local Jeepneys (brightly colored converted Jeeps used as minibuses) are a popular form of transport and can be hailed anywhere. They are cheap, plentiful and best suited to shorter journeys. Local buses are useful to get to places on the main roads as they are prohibited from most streets in the center of town. Like Jeepneys, buses have their destinations indicated on signboards.

The elevated light rail system