Chinatown

The oldest recognized Chinatown, Binondo's Chinese enclave was documented as early as 1594, though it was already a focal point of Chinese trading when Spanish explorers first arrived in 1521. Start at Binondo Church and follow the savory scents of oranges and sweetmeats, lychees and mooncakes. The area bordered by Ongpin, Quentin Paredes and Gandara Streets offers the heart of Chinatown, where you can browse to your heart's content and pick up noodles, yellow Chinese gold, and mysterious remedies for illnesses you may not have known you had.