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Highly urbanized city in Metro Manila, Philippines
Photo: Lawrence Ruiz, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Quezon City (Tagalog: Lungsod Quezon) is the largest city in the Philippines and is one of the constituent cities of Metro Manila. Commonly called QC or Kyusi, it has a population of almost 3 million people in 2020. It has become the hub of information technology and its entertainment industry in the Philippines. Quezon City is a city of contrasts, mixing old and new, rich and poor, and traditional and modern.
The commercial heart of the city, centered on the sprawling Araneta City (formerly Araneta Center), with its many malls and condominiums. This area is considered the modern "downtown" of Quezon City, and is also a major transport hub, with various options available to the rest of Metro Manila and even to other parts of the Philippines.
This area is home to a very large transient student population, being home to the University of the Philippines and Ateneo de Manila University campuses, as well as several other educational institutions. Near the two universities is Maginhawa Street, a food district popular with students. Between the two universities is Katipunan Avenue, home to a lot of establishments frequented by students.
The bustling heart of Quezon City, filled with people all day and all night. Major city and national government offices are clustered around the Quezon Memorial Circle, while the restaurants, bars and nightclubs along Tomas Morato Avenue are among the best Metro Manila has to offer, both to locals and tourists alike.
The Commonwealth and Fairview districts are primarily residential. This area hosts the La Mesa Watershed Reservation, Metro Manila's only remaining natural rainforest and the primary source of the city's drinking water. Shopping malls are primarily clustered in the northern part of Fairview, while to the south along Commonweath Avenue are sights as varied as the Batasang Pambansa, various government offices, the central temple of the Iglesia ni Cristo and even the city's old landfill. Northwestern Quezon City is the birthplace of the Philippine Revolution. Today it is a busy commercial district, with Balintawak's bustling public market, the up-and-coming Cloverleaf mixed-use development nearby, and the many restaurants along Congressional Avenue.
Largely residential, this area is mostly known for hosting the headquarters of the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, where the People Power Revolution took place nearby in 1986. To the east is Eastwood City, a large mixed-use development popular with the upper classes.
On the La Loma area are its famous row of Filipino restaurants and lechon stores. Santa Mesa Heights is a mid-class area, with two major Roman Catholic shrines and prestigious Catholic schools. Near the boundary with Manila and San Juan lies the supposedly haunted location of Balete Drive, the car part stalls and Chinatown area along Banaue Street, and the row of funeral homes along Araneta Avenue. At the center of New Manila are lofty condominiums and growing nightlife.
By plane
Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) is to the south, straddling Pasay and Parañaque. From there, travelers generally take a taxi or bus.
By bus
As of 2022, provincial bus service only serve the Araneta City Bus Port bus terminal in Cubao, served by commuter routes from Bulacan and provincial routes from Central Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
By train
Quezon City is served by all of Metro Manila's three extant rapid transit lines, the LRT Line 1 (LRT-1), LRT Line 2 (LRT-2) and the MRT Line 3 (MRT-3).
By bus
Privately-operated city buses are plenty in Quezon City, and there is also a government-run free-fare bus service.
By train
While covering only parts of QC, LRT Line 2 and MRT Line 3 run through the main points in the city, namely Cubao, North EDSA and Katipunan.
By taxi
Metered taxis are probably the most comfortable option - just be wary of large taxi fares during rush hours and drivers being picky on their passengers (they try to avoid destinations in crowded…
By jeepney
Jeepneys, either traditional or modern ones, are most useful in areas of QC not already served by city buses such as UP Diliman, which is served by a loop service known as the "UP Ikot".
By car
Driving in QC is not recommended, especially if your destination is along EDSA.
By tricycle
Smaller lanes and roads in residential areas are plied with bicycles fitted with side cars, termed padyak or traysikel.
On foot
While very large, walking around Quezon City is possible and a great way to experience local street life and culture, but presents many of the same challenges as walking around the rest of Metro…
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