These Fun Walking Tours Will Take You Back to 1920s Manila

If you frequently walk around downtown Manila, you may have already noticed a number of Art Deco structures that look very different from the condominiums and malls in the area. If you've been wanting to learn more about this popular type of architecture from the late 1920s to the early 1950s in the Philippines, Ivan Man Dy of Old Manila Walks is holding the Manila Art Deco Weekend from February 8 to 10.

With the goal "to further communicate the richness of local Art Deco heritage," the Manila Art Deco Weekend features four types of tours that are open to everyone. The Campus Tour (P1,750), which highlights the Art Deco heritage of the University of Santo Tomas (built in 1611) and Far Eastern University (built in 1928), is on February 8, 9 a.m. By 3 p.m., there's Death by Deco (P1,200), which is all about exploring Art Deco tombs and mausoleums within the Manila Chinese Cemetery—the second oldest cemetery in Manila. Malate Moderne (P1,300), which is on February 9, 9 a.m., will take you around the historic Manila neighborhood that’s still dotted with 1930s homes, schools, and even a sports complex. If you'd rather explore outside of Manila, there's the Malolos Day Trip (P2,850) on February 10, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Manila Art Deco Weekend is from February 8 to 10. Slots are limited. To sign up, e-mail [email protected].

Main photo (Manila Metropolitan Theater) by Tubanismo, Wikimedia

This story originally appeared on Spot.ph.

* Minor edits have been made by the Realliving.com.ph editors.