Intramuros Is the Philippines’ Bid for Asia’s No. 1 Tourist Spot

Intramuros, the Philippines’ oldest district, is once again vying for the title of Asia’s Leading Tourist Attraction at the World Travel Awards (WTA) 2025, a recognition that would cement its place among the region’s most iconic landmarks. 

Intramuros earned a spot alongside world-renowned landmarks like Cambodia’s Angkor Temples, Indonesia’s Borobudur, the Great Wall of China, Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay, and India’s Taj Mahal. Other contenders include Japan’s Sengan-en and Shoko Shuseikan Museum, teamLab Planets Tokyo, and the Tokyo Imperial Palace; China’s Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors, and teamLab SuperNature Macao; and Hong Kong’s Victoria Peak. 

This isn’t the first time Intramuros has been honored internationally. The city has already been named Asia’s Leading Tourist Attraction four times (2016, 2020, 2022, and 2024), and even took home the top prize as the World’s Leading Tourist Attraction in 2020.

Built in 1571 during the Spanish colonial period, Intramuros served as the seat of power for over 300 years, housing government offices, churches, universities, and residences for the colonial elite. Within its stone walls once stood seven grand churches, including the still-standing San Agustín Church, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  

Though much of the city was destroyed during the Battle of Manila in 1945, Intramuros has since been restored and transformed into a living museum of Philippine history. Today, it remains a cultural crossroads, where Spanish plazas, baroque churches, and colonial-era houses coexist with museums, art installations, and performance spaces, making it not just a relic of the past, but a vibrant hub of heritage and contemporary culture. 

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The World Travel Awards, established in 1993, are often described as the Oscars of the travel industry. Winners set the benchmark for excellence across the tourism sector. This year’s awards ceremony will take place on December 9 at Exhibition World Bahrain, bringing together the travel industry’s biggest players. 

How You Can Help Intramuros Win 

Filipinos can show their support for Intramuros by voting online. Here’s how:  
1. Visit www.worldtravelawards.com/vote or scan the QR code. 
2. Verify your account through the confirmation email. 
3. Cast your vote and select ASIA under the region. 
4. From the categories, choose Asia’s Leading Tourist Attraction and vote for INTRAMUROS, PHILIPPINES. 
 
Voting is open until 31 August 2025.