Manila’s Magical Rizal Park

Manila, a major airfares destination in Asia and the capital of the Philippines, is a dense and crowded city. If you feel the need to get away and relax during your time here, look no farther than the city’s many scenic parks. Rizal Park in particular is a large, sweeping green space right in the heart of Manila. Book cheap airfare tickets for flights to Manila and check out this popular spot for rest and relaxation.

When you’re looking into airfares and plane tickets for visiting Manila, remember that Rizal Park can count as both a great place to get some fresh air and an easy history lesson. The park is named for the Philippines’ national hero, Jose Rizal, who was executed here in 1896. The death of this beloved writer and activist sparked the Philippine Revolution. His towering monument is now the centerpiece of the park. Half a century later, Rizal Park was also where the country declared independence from America in 1946. In the 1980s, important political rallies were held here opposing the country’s cruel dictator, Ferdinand Marcos.

Today, Rizal Park is a favorite place for picnics, celebrations, and just plain hanging out.  The park covers over 100 acres of green space. It has a man-made lake with a relief map of the Philippine islands as a centerpiece. The Chinese Garden and Japanese Gardens are especially beautiful. Filipinos love the Orchidarium and Butterfly Pavilion, a rainforest-like spot showcasing the country’s diverse plant life and butterfly species. The Lapu-Lapu Monument, also known as the Statue of the Sentinel of Freedom, was given to Manila by Korea as thanks for the Philippines’ assistance during the Korean War. Depending how you schedule your cheap airfare tickets travel to Manila, you might catch one of the park’s frequent concerts at its open-air auditorium or see martial arts groups practicing in the park on Sundays. There are usually food-kiosks set up.

Rizal Park is a popular spot for both locals and visiting guests arriving on cheap flights to Manila. Gorgeous Manila bay is right next to the park. The Department of Tourism building is in Rizal Park, as is the National Museum of the Philippines, full of excellent natural history and ethnography collections. You can even visit a small planetarium. For Jose Rizal’s 150th birthday celebration in June 2011, the newly restored musical dancing fountain and Flower Clock were reopened. Whether you want to check out Rizal Park’s museums and exhibits or simply enjoy the wide open spaces, the park is definitely worth a visit. Start your search for cheap airfares for flights to Manila today and start planning your Philippine Pacific getaway.