Binondo (Chinatown)

Overview

Binondo is the world's oldest Chinatown, established in 1594 by Spanish colonial authorities as a settlement for Catholic Chinese immigrants. Today it remains the commercial heart of Manila's Filipino-Chinese community, a sensory labyrinth of narrow streets packed with hardware shops, gold dealers, apothecaries, and some of the best street food in Asia.

Highlights

• Ongpin Street Food Trail: Sample lumpia Shanghai, machang (sticky rice in bamboo), hopia (bean-filled pastries), and freshly made noodles from generations-old shops.
• Binondo Church: The Minor Basilica of San Lorenzo Ruiz, built in 1596, anchors the neighborhood and is the parish of the first Filipino saint.
• Gold and Herb Shops: Traditional Chinese medicine stores and gold-trading shops line Carvajal and Ongpin streets.

History

Founded in 1594 by Spanish Governor-General Luis Pérez Dasmariñas to Christianize Chinese residents, Binondo predates San Francisco's and New York's Chinatowns by centuries. It survived the 1945 Battle of Manila, though many original buildings were destroyed.

Visitor Tips

• Tip 1: Best explored as a guided food walk — local walking tours cost ₱500–₱800 and include multiple tastings.
• Tip 2: Visit on a weekday to avoid weekend crowds; come hungry.
• Duration: 2–3 hours.