The Oldest Chinatown In The World

Wikipedia

Binondo (Chinese: 岷倫洛區; pinyin: Mínlúnluò Qū; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Bîn-lûn-lo̍h-khi) is a district in Manila and is referred to as the city’s Chinatown. Its influence extends beyond to the places of Quiapo, Santa Cruz, San Nicolas and Tondo. It is the oldest Chinatown in the world, established in 1594 by the Spaniards as a settlement near Intramuros but across the Pasig River for Catholic Chinese, it was positioned so that colonial rulers could keep a close eye on their migrant subjects. It was already a hub of Chinese commerce even before the Spanish colonial period. Binondo is the center of commerce and trade of Manila, where all types of business run by Filipino-Chinese thrive.

Established in by the Spaniards as a settlement near Intramuros but across the Pasig River for Catholic Chinese, it was positioned so that colonial rulers could keep a close eye on their migrant subjects. It was already a hub of Chinese commerce even before the Spanish colonial period. Binondo is the center of commerce and trade of Manila, where all types of business run by Filipino-Chinese thrive. Wikipedia

My friends and I went there for the Lunar New year Celebration in 2018. It was very festive with the traditional dragon dance in the streets and inside establishments like malls .

Food , fruits and plants considered lucky for the year were sold everywhere, in stores and on the streets.

We tried a few restaurants from the list of Binondo’s Great Food Crawl for that year.

There were guided Food Tours (and there still are) which are probably helpful to foreign tourists but we did it on our own as we’re all locals.

We visited a few temples and old Catholic churches.

For this year all activities for the celebration of the Chinese New Year in Manila, home to the famous Chinatown district Binondo, are canceled due to Covid-19 pandemic.

Executive Order No. 4 series of 2021 from the city government of Manila states that no dragon dance, street party, stage show, parade or any other similar activity will be held for the celebration of Chinese New Year from February 11 to 12.

Still, hotels and restaurants have prepared for the Chinese New year celebration and have special packages.

Happy New Lunar Year!