|
M A N I L A C I T Y G U I D E
Environment
© Richard I'Anson. Lonely Planet Images
Manila, like most of the world's large cities, suffers from a huge and problematic urban sprawl. Typically, urban sprawl also creates nightmares for travelers, however the main points of interest to visitors in Manila are centralized, making suburban navigation unnecessary. Manila sprawls east from Manila Bay along the Pasig River, and immediately south of the river is Intramuros, the old walled Spanish town where many of the city's historical sites are found. Further south again and you'll find yourself in the 'tourist belt' of the Malate and Ermita districts, where you'll find restaurants, accommodation and travel agencies.
Arriving in Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport is about as far as you'll ever get from a streamlined process. No matter how hard they try, Filipinos are unable to get their airport to work. Poor signage, crowds and an illogical layout all contribute to the chaos, but if you're confused, you won't be alone. Once you finally make your way to the street, things begin to look up. The airport, only about 8 km (5 mi) south of the center of Manila, is well-served by buses and taxis, and there is a Metrorail station about 2 km (1.2 mi) away.
< BACK | NEXT >
© 1999 Lonely Planet Publications Pty. Ltd. All rights reserved
|
|
|
