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Chinatown, Manila
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Chinatown: Come Visit Chinatown
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  • There are lots of things to do at Chinatown: Buy appliances that cost lesser, find suppliers for your restaurant or whatever business, buy jewelry, customize jewelry, buy Chinese medicine, buy authentic Chinese food, etcetera, etcetera. It's within Manila, but it seems like you're in another country (just like any other China town, I guess).

    BTW, the First Filipino saint, St. Lorenzo Ruiz, was born in Binondo, Manila (the location of China Town)

  • Address: Binondo, City of Manila, Philippines

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    Chinatown: Chinatown
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  • Chinatown is not a clearly defined suburb but a cultural and business district that takes in parts of Santa Cruz and Binondo, roughly the area between the three Chinese-Philippine friendship arches called the Welcome Marker. From Ermita you cross the Pasig River over the Jones Bridge, between the Immigration Office and the GPO, to the First Welcome Gate. The southern part of Chinatown begins here. From Quintin Paredes St, which runs through the gate, several little streets seem to wind crazily towards the big east-west curve of Ongpin St, the eastern end of which is marked at Plaza Santa Cruz by the Third Welcome Gate (Arch of Goodwill). Ongpin St is the main business street of Chinatown, with well-stocked Chinese grocers, herb-scented drug stalls and spacious restaurants. However, you can also find exotic shops and little teahouses in the sidestreets leading off Ongpin St, eg in the narrow confines of Carvajal St. Unlike the Chinatowns in other Asian cities, this one is very busy on Sunday.

  • Address: Chinatown, Manila
  • Directions: Take a jeepney with the sign 'Santa Cruz' bound for Chinatown. Or take LRT to Carriedo Station.

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    Chinatown: Chinatown
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  • Updated By Ramonq on September 13, 2003
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  • Even Manila has a Chinatown. The Chinese presence in Manila is strong. During the Spanish times, the Chinese were kept out of the walled city and they settled across the Pasig River in what's known as Binondo.

    Like most Chinatowns, Manila's Chinatown has all the proverbial sights sounds and smell. Yet it is unique because of the presence of horse drawn carriages called calesas and it is flanked by baroque-style churches, Binondo church and Santa Cruz church.

    Most of the Chinese in Binondo are Catholics but they maintain some of their Chinese traditions

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  • Address: Binondo, Manila
  • Directions: North of the Pasig River

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    Chinatown: Visit the Temple of the God of War, Kuang Kong
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  • Kuang Kong, AKA the God of War, AKA Patron of Martial Arts, AKA Patron of Scholars (when seated/reading). Kuang Kung who was a powerful and loyal general is also protector of Quan Yin, Goddess of Mercy. As C. Celdran puts it, in the spirit of assimilation, the Chinese believers calls Kuang Kong, Santiago. Go figure.

    This Buddhist temple is open to the public. You can light incense sticks and put them in the urn at the entrance of the temple and utter your prayers. There is also these red wooden half moons you can use to have your fortunes told. Couch your questions in such a way that they're answerable by YES or NO! Swirl a pair of these wooden half disks over your incense sticks so they catch the smoke and then throw them to the floor. Identical faces means NO. Opposing figures means YES!

    BTW, my friend S. L. tells me that, to quote him, "Guang Kong falls under Taoism though in Chinese religion, Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism are often portrayed together in the same temple." Thanks for the info S. L.

    They appreciate donations of any amount.

  • Address: Kipuja Street, Binondo
  • Directions: The temple is located on the second-floor of a building on Kipuja Street. From Ongpin Street turn left into Fernandez Street then left again into Kipuja Street

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    Chinatown: 16th Century Binondo Church
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  • Basilica de San Lorenzo Ruiz

    Located in the Chinatown area of Manila, Binondo Church is one of the oldest church in the Philippines (built in 1596).

    The original structure suffered a lot from typhoons and earthquakes over the past years since its erection. The only thing that remains as original is the octagonal bell tower.

    Patron is Saint Lorenzo Ruiz (1st Filipino Saint) who served in the church as altar boy during his younger years.

    By the way, the church is the Heritage Conservation Society.

  • Address: Quintin Paredes St., Binondo, Manila

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    Chinatown: Chinatown
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  • You could see lots of Chinese/ Filipino Stablishment around this place... all great restaurant they have here.

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  • Address: around Manila Town proper

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    Chinatown: Detail of Dragon Dance
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  • Interestingly, the Dragon Dance is now performed by ethnic Filipinos and not by the ethnic Chinese residents of Manila's Chinatown.

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    Chinatown: Enjoy night photography
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  • Night photography is best enjoyed when the cityscape is all lit up. Like at Chinese New Year.

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  • Address: Manila Chinatown
  • Directions: Binondo District

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    Chinatown: Bring a wide angle lens
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  • That Dragon is long, so you'll need a real wide angle lens to get the whole thing. Of course, if Dragons are not your thing, or if you forgot to bring your wide angle, there's always Rick you can aim your camera at. Right, Syl? :o)

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    Chinatown: Spend Chinese New Year in Manila's Chinatown
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  • Dragon Dance with Binondo Church in the background - Manila
    Dragon Dance with Binondo
    Church in the background
    by D._Pepper
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    The Lunar New Year, typically in February of each year, is a big event celebrated by Filipino ethnic Chinese in Manila's Chinatown. Try to catch the Dragon Dance.

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  • Address: Chinatown
  • Directions: Binondo, Manila about 20 minutes walk from Luneta. Less on a calesa.

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