The oldest part of the city is all there was of Manila before the 20th century. it’s a tight grid system contained by sturdy 16th and 17th century walls, and is a big contrast to the high-rise cityscape around it. This was the capital … See more

Begun at the end of the 16th century, this spectacular building is a UNESCO site and the oldest stone-built church in the Philippines. The church is in the resplendent Baroque style and needs a visit for its marv… See more

The monastery attached to the church was wrecked during the Second World War, but was rebuilt in the 1970s and its former refectory, sacristy, crypt, halls and library now hold a museum. This is an insight into Manila’s col… See more

At first glance Manila’s Chinatown doesn’t seem like much of a tourist spot; it is noisy, a bit run-down and the traffic is often in gridlock. But it helps to remember that there has been a Chinese trading presence in the region sinc… See more