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| busy busy busy |
Chinatown in Binondo is said to be the oldest Chinatown
in the world. Established in 1594, this became the center of commerce and trade
in Manila
A little history
The town Binondo was built by the Spanish Governor Luis Dasmarinas as permanent settlement for the Chinese "Sangley" (immigrants) who were forced to convert to Catholicism. It was located across the walled city of Intramuros, where the Spaniards resided.
Originally, it was intended to replace the original settlement Parian, also near Intramuros. The Spaniards gave a land grant for Binondo to a group of Chinese merchants and artisans, tax-free but with limited self-governing privileges. The Spaniards idea of keeping the merchants near them is to ensure convenience of merchandise, help and laborers as well as to quickly know of any uprising formed against them.
Originally, it was intended to replace the original settlement Parian, also near Intramuros. The Spaniards gave a land grant for Binondo to a group of Chinese merchants and artisans, tax-free but with limited self-governing privileges. The Spaniards idea of keeping the merchants near them is to ensure convenience of merchandise, help and laborers as well as to quickly know of any uprising formed against them.
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| first stop: Sta. Cruz Church |
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| the jeepney, the plaza, chinatown, and the foreigner |
In present times
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| entrance gate |
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| beautiful Jade Buddha |
Chinatown is known as the hub of amzing Chinese gastronomical delights -- from noodles to dimsum to their famous pastries (hopia); as well as Chinese furniture items, knick knacks, jewelry,a nd feng shui products. basically, you can buy almost anything and everything here. And you can bargain too!
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| dried fish and roasted chestnuts |
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| chinese decors and feng shui stuff |
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| delicious dim sum! |
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| Mike at a local pastry shop |
If you love Chinese food and are a history buff, well, you're in luck. There are
now many agencies offering "Food Tours" where they take you to the different
historical and popular restaurants in the town while giving you loads of
information on Binondo's glorious merchandising past.
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| kalesa |
Naturally, Mike and I opted to do a walk-about ourselves. Wandering through the skinny busy streets was fun even when we got lost a little bit here and there.
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| L-R: LRT Carriedo Station, Cigarette vendor box, old intersecting street in binondo |
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