Binondo Chinatown

Binondo (Ongpin Street)

Dumpling-hopping in a Chinatown dating from 1594

⚠ Small shops cash only

Hours

Streets always open; shops mostly morning to early evening (varies)

Tickets

Free

Address

Pin at Binondo Church on Plaza Lorenzo Ruiz; Ongpin Street runs east from here

Pass under the red friendship arch and the signs go half Chinese, half English. It began in 1594, when the Spanish settled Chinese traders across the river, which is why it's called the world's oldest Chinatown. Along Ongpin Street, steam from dumpling kitchens drifts between gold shops and herbal pharmacies, while jeepneys and horse carts squeeze down the same narrow lane. At the west end, Binondo Church's octagonal bell tower looks a lot like a pagoda. Come hungry and eat your way along: fried dumplings, hopia pastries, a bowl of noodles, one shop at a time.