Manchester: A Trip of Discovering and Self-discovery Part I

Some of my friends used to call me a badly oriented person, usually fail to find my way around. Well it's time to clear my name and wipe the slate clean. Over the past few weekends, I've made several self-guided tours to the city centre of Manchester, and discovered the different facets of Manchester City. 

Manchester is famous for its sport; Manchester City and Manchester United, ones of the most successful clubs in professional football, could be the most popular examples. But that's not all of Manchester. The city is at the same time one of the best, if not the best, music venues in the UK; it also come through from the Georgian and Victorian era, leaving impressive architectural marks all over, and it's rise from a heavily industrialised city, being the pioneer city of British industrialistion, to a now culturally enriched and musically vibrant city is also a massive transformation. Below, I'll showcase the beautiful, beautiful city of Manchester.

Manchester, from my university to the city centre, is so walk-able, although there's free "metrobus" for the walko-phobic. From Whitworth Park (where I live) to the farthest point I went, which is around the Cathedral Garden, takes just under 50 minutes, and there're lovely architectures on the way to keep filling you with stimulation. 

The first remarkable building you can see walking along Oxford Road to the city centre should be the Palace Theatre, which is still operating. 

This theatre showcases most of the major plays coming to Manchester. "The Wicked" is the up and coming famous play it is going to host the following weeks.

For some reason, it feels like the mark of the start of city centre to me.

Keep walking along the Oxford Road, then you'll find this Midland Hotel at the end of Oxford Road and the start of Peter Street.

This is apparently a hotel with long history, the inside of it is quite grand too, I know it because I work part time here from time to time.

On the Deansgate, this is the John Rylands Library, neo-gothic style, built in 1900.

It's now operated by the university of Manchester, so it's kind of part of the university.

You'll be amazed how even the window is delicately constructed.

At the end of the Deansgate, it's Cathedral garden. Before seeing the Manchester Cathedral and Cathedral Garden, this little pretty cottage will give you some taste of classical stuff.

This is the Manchester Cathedral. It looks really cool. Gothic style, undergone two major restoration during Victorian era and after the IRA bombing. According to history, part of this building can be traced back to Saxon age. Apparently it carries very important symbolic meaning to the city of Manchester.

More of the Cathedral.

 Still the Manchester Cathedral.

Makes you feel small huh.

 This is the Cathedral Garden, nothing special about it. Just like the rest of garden in England. It's called the Cathedral Garden just because it is a garden located just next to the Manchester Cathedral.

Near the Cathedral Garden, there lies the National Football Museum

The football David Beckham used to win the World Cup for England. Does amount to something huh.

 Trophies

 More Trophies

 Some more

 ...

Matt Busby is there, Alex Ferguson is there, all right all right.
Arsene Wengar?! 

 The Hall of Fame Board.

Explore around, there's Royal Exchange Theatre, a very Georgian styled piece of architecture, although upgraded during the Victorian era. Neo-classic is the word for it.

Royal Exchange Theatre from another perspective.

OK. The white bit in the middle, it's the Barton Arcade, quite delicate decoration for a shopping arcade, a beautiful building. Thought not very impressive on the inside, the shops, if any, are few and not lively.

The Barclays Bank! This beautiful Victorian styled building houses a bank, kind of make you want to work in there huh.

There's more of my exploration in Manchester, The part II of it is coming soon... 

Stay tuned.