Excursion Legacy & traditions of manila tour at Manila

Explore the history and traditions of Manila during this scenic and informative, half-day sightseeing excursion.

Rizal Park, Planetarium, National Museum, Manila City Hall, Jones Bridge, Binondo, Chinatown

Depart the pier for a scenic, approximately one-hour sightseeing tour of downtown Manila. Along the way, pass by Rizal Park, Planetarium, and Manila City Hall. Stop at National Museum of Fine Arts, The National Museum of Fine Arts is home to 29 galleries and hallway exhibitions comprising of 19th century Filipino masters, National Artists, leading modern painters, sculptors, and printmakers, including the famous painting called Spolarium by Juan Luna. The Spolarium has become a Philippine National Symbol. Juan Luna created the painting to inspire his fellow Filipinos during the Spanish Regime which lasted for 333 years. Then head towards the Jones Bridge and Filipino-Chinese Friendship Arch before reaching Binondo. Located across the Pasig River from Intramuros, Binondo has typified a small Chinese town and is referred to as the local ‘Chinatown’. Binondo was already a hub of Chinese commerce before the first Spanish colonizers arrived in 1521, and this district remains the centre of commerce and trade for all types of businesses run by Filipino-Chinese merchants. Chinatown is also famous for its wholesale stores and restaurants serving top-rated Chinese dishes.

Manila Chinese Cemetery, Guided Tour, Tomb Houses

Next, head to the Manila Chinese Cemetery. The second-oldest cemetery in Manila, it was designated as the resting place for the Chinese citizens who were denied burial in Catholic cemeteries during the Spanish colonial period and were forced to establish their own cemetery. This vast area reflects the realities of real life, with luxurious buildings housing the rich, spacious houses the middle class, and walls with square graves the poor. The deceased are buried in fully-functional houses with bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms, and, often, air conditioning. Tomb houses of the Chinese Cemetery have front doors that are locked. Every tomb is unique and has its own story to tell. Following your visit, re-board your coach and head to La Loma.

Lechon Road, La Loma, Quiapo Church, Black Nazarene, Vendors

En route, pass by La Loma area, a narrow road lined with rows of roast lechon (suckling pig) cooked over charcoal, a main entrée in most Filipino celebrations. After a photo stop at La Loma, continue on to the Quiapo Church, which is famous for the Black Nazarene. It gets very crowded every Friday, when thousands of devotees come to light a candle in supplication to the Black Nazarene, a life-size image of Christ, believed to be miraculous. Around the church is a fascinating gathering of vendors selling candles and curiosities like amulets and folk cures for obscure ailments. Your tour concludes with an approximately 30-minute drive back to the pier.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Rizal Park, Planetarium, National Museum, Manila City Hall, Binondo, ‘Chinatown’, Manila Chinese Cemetery & La Loma, Lechon Road, Quiapo Church, Black Nazarene, The National Museum of Fine Arts

Note

Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking, at times over uneven and natural surfaces and inclines, with three-five steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach and at the sites visited. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes, and bring sun protection, insect repellent, bottled water, and local currency or credit cards for purchases from the ship. Please dress conservatively when going ashore. As a rule, women should never wear anything remotely revealing (miniskirts, shorts, capris, beachwear, and sleeveless or low-cut tops), and men should always wear shirts and trousers in public. Proper attire is required to enter religious sites; shorts and bare shoulders are not permitted. Shoes must be removed prior to entering the temples; we suggest bringing along a pair of thick socks, because the pavement may be very hot. For your added safety and protection, please leave jewellery, valuables, and large amounts of cash on board the ship. Guests should be respectful towards local sentiments and customs. The tour sequence may vary.

Infrastructure in Manila may be basic, and local conditions may be challenging; coaches, guides, hotels, restaurants, equipment, and services are the best-available in the area, but may not be up to the standards of those found on other ports. Therefore, we urge flexibility and understanding as we visit unique, less touristic destinations. The cost of providing a tour programme in this area is proportionately more expensive than in neighbouring regions, as vehicles and guides are brought in from the whole region. This may be reflected in the prices of the tours, and we thank you for your understanding.