10 Things to Do in Binondo, Manila — the Oldest Chinatown in the World

Most Manila residents know Binondo as the frantic, beating heart of the city’s trade. But beyond the wholesale shops and crowded alleys, this district is the historic bedrock of the Filipino-Chinese community. Founded in 1594, Binondo holds the title of the oldest Chinatown in the world. It is a living, breathing time capsule that has survived colonial occupations and world wars to remain a melting pot of flavor and tradition. Whether you are a history buff or a hungry traveler on a weekend food crawl, Binondo offers a rich heritage that you can taste in every bowl of noodles and feel in every cobblestone street.

Also read: 10 Exciting Things to Do and Places to Visit in Manila at Night

Image credit: Aldous Cabildo

Explore historical sites in Binondo

1. Visit the historic Binondo Church and Plaza San Lorenzo Shrine

Image credit: Patrick Roque

The Binondo Church, officially the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Saint Lorenzo Ruiz, is a stunning testament to the district’s Spanish-Chinese roots. While the church has been repaired many times since the 1500s, its original belfry still stands as a silent witness to history. Legend has it that the revolutionary leader Andres Bonifacio wed his wife Gregoria de Jesus here. Today, it remains one of the few places in the country where you can hear Mass in Filipino, English, and Hokkien all in one day.

Image credit: Judgefloro

How historic is the church exactly? Historical accounts say that the revolutionary leader Andres Bonifacio and his wife Gregoria de Jesus were wed here. It also sustained a lot of damage during World War II and had to be repaired. The only original structure that it retained is its belfry.

It is also one of the few churches in the Philippines to conduct services in Filipino, English, and Hokkien.

2. Take a photo of the gorgeous Jones Bridge

Image credit: Mark Onod

You wouldn’t believe how strong Jones Bridge is since it finished its construction back in 1920. It spans the Pasig River and is responsible for connecting Binondo and most of Manila. It is still one of the busiest bridges in Manila, especially during sunset.

If you want the best view of the Pasig River, time your visit for sunset at Jones Bridge. Restored to its pre-war Neo-Classical glory, the bridge features atmospheric lamps that make it feel like a slice of Paris in the heart of Manila. It has become a favorite for photographers and couples, proving that "Old Manila" is still incredibly romantic in 2026.

3. Get a taste of history while dining in New Toho Food Center

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Start your by dining in one of the oldest restaurants in Manila. New Toho Food Center was founded back in 1866 and has remained an icon until this very day. And when one of its most famous patrons was rumoured to be the country’s national hero, Jose Rizal, that distinction of an icon is definitely earned.

Rizal’s palate is worthy of the highest commendation in this regard, as the cooking at New Toho Food Center is stellar. Their stir-fried noodles are rich in flavour, their lechon is succulent, and their steamed seafood is delicate; really, just about everything on the menu is impressive. There are a lot of formidable restaurants for Binondo food, but New Toho definitely sets the standard among them.

Also read: 10 Restaurants in Binondo for Your Next Food Crawl

4. Find a favourite speciality shop inside First United Building

Image credit: HUB: Make Lab Official Facebook Page

One of the first restorations in Binondo that initiated the district’s heritage revival these past few years is the historic Escolta Street, particularly, the First United Building. It was the tallest building in Manila when it was completed in 1928. Its unique Art Deco design was conceptualised by Andres P. Luna, son of the famous Filipino painter Juan Luna. Now that it’s restored, new generations can see and appreciate how beautiful the building really is.

Fittingly, it has become a combination of an artist and commercial space. Various trinkets from local craftsmen are sold inside the building, most of which showcase their love for Manila. Apart from these stalls, there are speciality shops inside which are also run by artists.

Image credit: Escolta Official Facebook Page

If you need to unwind after a long work day, Fred’s Revolucion is glad to serve you their cold IPAs. If you’re in need of a cosy and comfortable space to chat with friends, The Den serves amazing coffee for you to enjoy. And for a stylish haircut, the barbers at Folk are more than skilled to take care of your grooming needs. These three shops seem to have grown a personal connection with their clients, which is why regulars can be seen inside the shops almost every day.

If you’re lucky, your visit might be in time with the colourful Weekend Market, where artists gather to set up shop on the street. Or you can attend the bi-monthly, high-energy gigs during The Block Party. Maybe even chance on an entirely new event by the community! You’ll never run out of things to do in Binondo, especially in an exciting place like Escolta.

Also read: 7 Best Things to Do in Escolta on a Day Trip to Old Manila

Spots for avid shoppers

5. Scour through Binondo’s malls

Image credit: Lucky Chinatown Mall Official Facebook Page

If you’re down to walk as far as your feet can take you, you can find a lot of bargains in Binondo. And we mean a lot. Three malls in Binondo are responsible for heavy foot traffic, especially during the weekends.

You can find an assortment of goods being sold inside 168 Shopping Mall and 999 Shopping Mall, which are just across from each other. From cheap clothes and fashion accessories, to action figures, textiles, and even heavy-duty sound speakers; these malls will have it all and then some for your trouble. If you’re looking for a lifestyle mall, you can also go to Lucky Chinatown Mall for high-end finds.

6. Check out gold and jewellery shops on Ongpin Street

Image credit: Cookie Nguyen

Ongpin is another important street in Binondo, as it has a lot of speciality shops that you can only find in Chinatown Manila. From Chinese medicine to specific ingredients important to Chinese cuisine, Ongpin will have what you need. It is also a great place to look for crystals, statues, and charms which are integral when practising feng shui.

This famous street also has a lucrative gold and jewellery trade. It’s actually a great place to find real gold for less if you have an eye for it. Apart from that, most jewellers in Ongpin are very skilled when it comes to designing. So, if you’re willing to spend a small fortune, you might get more than what you’ve paid for.

Also read: A Guide to Bargain Shopping in and Near Metro Manila 

Feast on Binondo’s delicacies

7. Eat the best fried chicken at Sincerity

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There’s just no way around it. Sincerity Fried Chicken serves the best fried chicken in Binondo, maybe even in the entirety of Manila. It is so far ahead of its competition that it is now considered an institution. So how on earth did this restaurant make the humble fried chicken feel special?

A good, opinionated guess would be the smart use of Chinese five-spice as seasoning, instead of the usual salt and pepper. Every crunchy bite is an explosion of flavour, down to the tender meat of the chicken. Eating fried chicken from Sincerity for the first time is, sincerely, a life-changing experience.

8. Queue in the long lines at Shanghai Fried Siopao

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You can’t miss Shanghai Fried Siopao when you’re walking down Ongpin, especially on a . You’ll know you’re there when you see people lining up. And believe it or not, these queues thin down quite fast.

But we’re not here to talk about efficiency! We’re here to talk about these heavenly and delectable pan-fried pork buns. These buns are always served fresh and are piping hot to the bite, so be careful. Once you get past the heat, sink your teeth into a deliciously seasoned pork and vegetable filling. The bottom part of the bun also gets quite crisp from the frying.

For something you can eat while walking, it has quite a complex flavour and texture to it. Who knew?

Also read: Best Street Food Spots in the Philippines for Your 2022 Food Crawl

9. Enjoy a bowl full of noodles at Lan Zhou Lamien

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For authentic hand-pulled noodles in Binondo, Lan Zhou Lamien is a hearty choice. Fondly known as Lamien by its patrons, this restaurant is famous for heaping portions of noodles and delicious broths. If you want to see how these are made, their kitchen glass panels are clear for everyone to see. Chefs slam the dough down on metal counters beside broths that simmer for hours. It is a very active kitchen, and the food comes out better for it.

Beef Lamien is their signature dish. Hand-pulled noodles are served with braised beef cubes and a few vegetables, all inside a hot broth. It is great when paired with their steamed dumplings. Featuring a delicate rice wrapper, a bite out of this is a burst of savoury, meaty goodness coming from a good mix of vegetables and pork. Dip it in Chinese black vinegar with minced ginger for a bit of an acidic dimension.

10. Buy hopia as snacks and souvenirs in Eng Bee Tin

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Before you leave, a stop at Eng Bee Tin is mandatory. What started as a small stall is now a purple-hued empire. While they are world-famous for their hopia, don’t sleep on their modern flavors like Salted Egg or Lava Custard. It is the perfect way to bring a piece of Chinatown home with you.

Also read: 20 Legendary Filipino Snacks and Merienda You Should Try in the Philippines

These are just some of the things to do in Binondo whenever you visit the place. Tradition remains the same and only strengthens the district. In this day and age, it is amazing to see Binondo, Manila grow and flourish, even if it is centuries old.

Featured image via Kylie Mabazza via Canva Pro. This article was originally published on TripZilla.