Quezon City, Philippines

Quezon City is the largest city in the Philippines, and between the years of 1948 and 1976, it served as the country's capital. Commonly referred to as QC, this lively urban center still boasts a list of government offices, including the House of Representatives, and it is also home to some renowned universities. The University of the Philippines, which is widely regarded as being the premier institute of higher learning in the Far East, has its main campus in the Diliman district, and the private Ateneo de Manila University also calls Quezon City home. Strolling the campuses of these two schools is something that is worth adding to a Quezon City travel itinerary. Other top Quezon City attractions include the Quezon City Hall and the Quezon Memorial Circle.

The Quezon City Hall can be found along the edge of the Quezon Memorial Circle. It is one of the tallest city halls in the Philippines and is surrounded by open areas and parkland. Within view of this rather imposing structure is a man-made lagoon, which helps to soften the overall setting. The Quezon City Hall stands fourteen stories tall, and it houses a number of national governmental agencies. In 1971, it was the site for the signing of the new Constitution of the Philippines. As for the Quezon Memorial Circle, it is dominated by a towering shrine that serves to honor former President Manuel L. Quezon. Quezon served as the first president of the Commonwealth of the Philippines, which was the country's designation between the years of 1935 and 1946. This period corresponds with US control.

Manuel L. Quezon founded Quezon City with the intent of establishing it as the country's capital. Though he died in 1944, he continues to inspire many Filipinos and is one of the country's most iconic figures. Quezon's remains rest in the small museum that can be found at the Quezon Memorial Circle. His casket is made of bronze and has a marble niche. Quezon City travel wouldn't be complete without a visit to the Quezon Memorial Circle.

Like nearby Manila, Quezon City is one of the best places to go shopping in the Philippines. The commercial center of Quezon City can be found in the Cubao district. Some of the best shopping malls in the Philippines can be found in this district, and it is also home to Fiesta Carnival. This indoor amusement park complex is one of the best Quezon City attractions for families. Cubao can also claim the Araneta Coliseum, which hosts sports events and concerts. Interestingly enough, the Araneta Coliseum hosted the famous "Thrilla in Manila" boxing match. This 1975 match, which featured Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, is heralded as one of the twentieth century's greatest fights. As a side note, shopping at malls isn't the only kind of shopping that can be done in the Cubao district. Visitors can also check out a number of boutiques and attend the weekend farmers market, which is nothing if it isn't interesting.

When looking for fun things to do in Quezon City, those who enjoy the great outdoors can always head over the La Mesa Dam Reservoir. This reservoir provides the National Capital Region, which is also home to Manila, with the bulk of its potable water. It is also a popular destination for eco-related pursuits, such as kayaking or canoeing. The Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center is one of the other best Quezon City attractions for those who want a break from the more urban side of things. This botanical and zoological garden features a manmade lagoon, and as such, it is a popular place to enjoy boating activities.

Quezon City travel is ideal for those who want to enjoy a hefty slice of urban life on a Philippines vacation. As one might imagine, this largest city in the country has a healthy nightlife scene, so the fun doesn't have to stop once the sun goes down. The Tomas Morato and Timog Avenue Tourist Belt Area is home to the best Quezon City bars and clubs. It also features restaurants, as well as entertainment and retail establishments. Since Quezon City wasn't founded until 1939, it doesn't have a lot of interesting historical attractions. That being said, there are two worth noting. Topping the list of historical Quezon City attractions are the Santo Domingo Church and the San Pedro Bautista Church, which figure among the oldest churches in the country.

Quezon City might not be brimming with attractions, but it is worth visiting on a trip to the Philippines. If nothing else, the shopping and the nightlife can fill at least a couple of days' worth of time. For those who are interested in Philippines history, Quezon City is also a delight. After all, this former capital was the site of the 1896 revolt against Spain and the first fight against U.S. forces in the later Philippine-American War. The Quezon City hotels are affordable on the whole, which is just one more reason why this city of more than 2,000,000 people deserves a look when traveling around the Philippines.