Binondo (Chinatown)
Binondo (Chinatown)

Binondo (Chinatown)

Manila, Metro Manila, 1006

The Basics

There’s no charge to visit Manila Chinatown, or, indeed, Binondo, the district in which it sits. It’s easy enough to wander around on foot—Chinatown is a pleasant walk from Intramuros—or pick up one of the horse-drawn carriages known as kalesa.

If you’re pressed for time or would like to take a deeper dive, you may prefer a Binondo tour. Some old Manila tours and Manila history tours make time to stop in Binondo, as the district, although developing rapidly, is one of Manila’s oldest.

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Explore Chinatown in Manila with Mari
Explore Chinatown in Manila with Mari
star-4.5
$55.00 per adult
Traveler Favorite
Amazing, personalised food tour in China Town!
We had an amazing time during the food tour in China Town with Mari! Mari has a super energetic and bubbly personality and really thought of everything. She gave us a nice mix of the history of the place as well as all the best local food! It was highly personalised and she really showed us some hidden gems. It is very clear she has a passion for what she does and it is one of our favorite memories in Manila! Can highly recommend Mari 🙂
Denise_v, Mar 2024
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Things to Know Before You Go

  • If you’re craving Chinese food while in Manila, Manila Chinatown is the place to head.

  • Be sure to clarify price and currency when arranging a kalesa ride. Holding up peso notes or typing the numerals into your phone will help avoid finding your peso fare meant dollars, or that “10” actually meant “10,000.”

  • Binondo Church dates back to the 16th century, when the Spaniards forced the Chinese to convert to Catholicism.

  • The paper money you see in stores is for burning as an offering to ancestors during the Hungry Ghost Festival, each July or August.

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How to Get There

Manila Chinatown is conveniently central and a satisfying walk from other historical areas such as Intramuros. Escolta River Ferry is the best water-bus stop if you’re riding the Pasig River Ferry; if traveling by train, connect to Carriedo Station on Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1. Ask taxi drivers to drop you at the Filipino–Chinese Friendship Arch.

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When to Get There

As with Chinatowns the world over, Manila Chinatown comes alive during the big annual festivals: Lunar New Year around January or February and Mid-Autumn Festival around late September or early October. Try and avoid traveling to Chinatown during rush hour (roughly 7am–9am and 5pm–9pm), when Manila’s already hectic traffic is at its worst.

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Binondo An Ancient Chinatown

Often described as the world’s oldest Chinatown, Binondo was founded in 1594 by Spanish colonists across the river from their main settlement at Intramuros. Immigrants, mainly Hokkien people from Fujian, flooded in. For centuries the area was Manila’s business capital, with Escolta Street the city’s answer to Broadway, although today Makati holds that role.

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Frequently Asked Questions
The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What are the nearest attractions to Binondo (Chinatown)?
A:
Attractions near Binondo (Chinatown):

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