6 Must-See Sites in Manila, Philippines

One of the most popular ways to get around the Philippines and its cities is via a jeepney, a public utility vehicle with unique decorations. A cultural icon of the country, the vehicle was first introduced during the American colonial period in the early 20th century. Many jeepneys recently underwent modernizations. © Yooran Park | Dreamstime.com

In Fort Bonifacio is the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, a 152-acre cemetery with more than 17,000 graves, the largest number of any cemetery for U.S. personnel killed during World War II. The cemetery also holds the graves of those from the Philippines and other Allied nations. © Mindaugas Dulinskas | Dreamstime.com

One of four churches designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in the country, San Agustin Church, built in the early 17th century, is the oldest stone church in the Philippines. Constructed during the Spanish colonial period, this church houses notable burials of Spanish conquistadors, Filipino political activists and writers, and military leaders. © Nuvisage | Dreamstime.com

Rizal Park, considered one of the largest urban parks in the country, lies in Ermita, spanning 140 acres. Named after Filipino patriot José Rizal, the park today features a monument where his remains lie. The park consists of several museums, an open-air auditorium, Daning Fountain, Manila Ocean Park and Quirino Grandstand. © Jon Bilous | Dreamstime.com

Manila’s Chinatown, called Binondo, is the oldest Chinatown in the world, dating back to 1594. One of the most notable streets, Ongpin Street, features various Chinese vendors, tea houses, restaurants and hawker-style stalls. Embark on what locals call the Binondo Food Crawl to sample the best of the area’s cuisine. There’s also Lucky Chinatown Mall and various plazas. © Oscar Espinosa | Dreamstime.com

Fort Santiago, built in 1571, is a citadel constructed by the Spanish. One of the most important historical sites in the city, Fort Santiago was built to defend the newly established city. The fort today is part of a historical park, with well-preserved bastions and prison dungeons. There’s also a visitor center and promenade. © Saiko3p | Dreamstime.com