Chaotic, polluted and thrilling - Manila is not everyone’s of a stunning cosmopolitan city, but most tourists still compare flights to Manila to discover what the capital of the Philippines has to offer. Truth be told, many consider Manila the most exciting Asian city drawing a huge number of holidaymakers from all around the world.

Here are seven facts about this great city you probably don’t know yet:

The Manila City Hall is shaped Like a coffin with a cross from a Bird’s Eye View
Located in the historic centre of Ermita, Manila City Hall is the place where the Mayor of the city holds office and the chambers of the Manila City Council. It was originally designed to look like the shields of the Knights Templar signifying that the country has been under the care and protection of the Roman Catholic Church.

Manila Hotel once used to be the tallest building in the city
The historical 18 story Manila hotel used to be tallest building in this cosmopolitan city from 1912 to 1967. Built way back in 1912, the hotel with 570 rooms takes pride for holding the record of being the oldest topnotch hotel in the Philippines.

Chinatown in Binondo is the world’s oldest
The Chinatown in Binondo, which was established way back in 1594, was the centre of commerce and a permanent settlement of immigrants from China who were called ‘sangleys’. It’s a term that depicts a person of pure Chinese ancestry during the Spanish Colonial Period in the Asian country.

May Lakan Diyan Palace
The Malacanang Palace, the official residence of the President of the Philippines, was named after a Tagalog saying, “May Lakan Diyan”, meaning “a rich man lives there.”

Manila was previously known as Fort Seludong
Before the Spanish colonisers arrived in the city in the 16th century, the present day Manila was known by the name of “Fort Seludong” or Maynila.

Freedom Island in Las Pinas-Paranaque protects endangered animals
The Las Pinas-Paranaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area (LPPCHEA), known as Freedom Island, is a protected area for native and migratory birds. The 175-hectare santuary island is blessed with mudflats, mangrove trees and beaches serving as feeding grounds for these animals facing extinction.

Manila Day basically marked the foundation of Intramuros
The Manila Day, celebrated by the citizens of Manila every 24th of June, actually honoured the foundation of the city that existed during the Spanish Colonial Period. It was restricted to the neighbourhoods enclosed within the walled city of Intramuros.

Well, Manila seems a lot more than what it’s actually known for i.e. getting a bad rap for crime, pollution and corruption to name a few - all these don’t prevent tourists to delay their traveling plan to this incredible Asian city.