The Forgotten City by Rail: An LRT Manila Tour (PREFACE)

Manila has become just the capital, and even some locals know little about it. To add to its misfortune, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (IATA: MNL) is not even in Manila but rather in Paranaque, a neighboring city, so tourists who continue onto somewhere in the Philippines haven’t even been to Manila technically.
Manila used to be one of the  financial capitals and one of the most cosmopolitan cities of Asia back during its heyday, yet now it seems to be skipped in typical Philippine itineraries, no thanks to the impressions given to this once glorious city.
But you see, Manila still retains much what could be explored, and it could still be considered as a good travel destination for its culture, heritage, history, and cuisine. To make things more convenient to travelers, both domestic and foreign alike, I’ve come up with an itinerary that mainly utilizes the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) or the Yellow Line. Read more…

First opened in the year 1984, the LRT-1 is actually the first metro line not only in the National Capital Region but also in Southeast Asia. It currently runs through 20 stations in four cities—Pasay, Manila, Caloocan, and Quezon City—and spans a total of 20.7 km of track, pending a planned expansion. Note that the of the 20 stations, 12 are located in Manila, including those from Vito Cruz Station to R. Papa Station.
The tour has eight destinations, with some requiring additional walking or an extra mode of transportation, say a jeepney ride. The eight stops could be divided into two days with four stops each day:
The Forgotten City by Rail: An LRT Manila Tour (PART 1)

• Luneta and the National Museum: The Filipino Identity
  
• Intramuros: The City Within Walls
  
• Cultural Center of the Philippines
  
• The Manila Bay Sunset

The Forgotten City by Rail: An LRT Manila Tour (PART 2)

• Quiapo: The Once Golden District
  
• Binondo and a Taste of its Cuisine
  
• University of Santo Tomas
  
• Divisoria: The Philippines’ Value Shopping Mecca

Again, all these eight stops cannot be done in a day, so if you had a day, I suggest picking the four major ones and dividing your day as follows:

• 8am-11am: Luneta and the National Museum
  
• 11am-2pm: Intramuros (including lunch)
  
• 2pm-4pm: University of Santo Tomas
  
• 4pm-6pm: Quiapo

As a basic precaution, stay alert in crowded places and be mindful of your belongings. Having done the tour myself, the tour is indubitably tiring, and Manila can be hot and humid year round, so wear light clothing, wear comfortable footwear, and bring a change of clothes. The LRT-1 can get crowded during certain days and hours, but it is air-conditioned and comfortable.
Food and other expenses are affordable in Manila. Further, as a tip, it is good if you could get a stored value LRT-1 card for 100php (~$2.50). While a portion would not be used, it will save you from the hassle of lining up for a ticket every ride, and it has a six-month validity.
To begin this trip, you may want to find your way to any of the LRT-1 stops, and each stop can be located on Google Maps. Additional information on each LRT-1 station can be found on Wikipedia. Two metro lines (LRT-2 Purple Line and MRT-3 Blue Line) and a traditional rail line (PNR Southrail Orange Line) also lead to the LRT-1 in interchange stations. Below is a map of the LRT-1 from Wikipedia (stations along the yellow line) for your convenience:

May you enjoy the forgotten city of Manila!