Binondo (Manila Chinatown)

Binondo in Manila, Metro Manila, is recognized as the world's oldest Chinatown, established in 1594. Located north of the Pasig River opposite Intramuros, it is a dense historic district centered on Ongpin Street and Quintin Paredes Street. Notable for its Chinese-Filipino heritage, Binondo Church, traditional shophouses, and celebrated food scene, it remains a major cultural and commercial hub blending Filipino and Chinese influences.

Visitors can expect a dense, bustling urban district with narrow streets lined with shophouses, restaurants, bakeries, herbal shops, and temples. Key areas to explore include Ongpin Street, Quintin Paredes Street, and the Chinatown Arch. Visitors can see the Saint Lorenzo Ruiz Minor Basilica (Binondo Church), sample Chinese-Filipino cuisine on a food walk, shop for goods, and view a mix of historic and modern architecture near the Pasig River and Jones Bridge.