As the world's oldest Chinatown, Binondo in Manila is one of the neighborhoods with festivities on Chinese New Year. On January 29, it will come alive with a parade, the popular lion and dragon dance, cultural performances, and food bazaars. Binondo is also home to countless gems, from cool street art, to lifestyle hubs, to the best Chinese food, and to lucky charms, making it worth a visit even outside the holiday.
Here are five cool spots to visit for a fun Binondo walk trip. 1. First United Building Back when the historic street was known as a financial center, it was home to department stores and offices.
Today, First United Building is a safe space for artists, the LGBTQIA+ community, rising creatives, and tourists alike. Among its spaces is the Hub: Make Lab where artists can sell their work and participate in talks and workshops; the bar Fred's Revolucion; coffee shop The Den Coffee & Contemporary Culture; and the First United Building Community Museum to show the rich history of Escolta. The building also has a photo studio and co-working space, among others.
The First United Building is located at 413 Escolta Street, Binondo, Manila. 2. Street art, lucky charms, and jewelry stores As soon as you enter, check out the different walls for some cool street art.
These are made by the country's renowned, rising, and even anonymous artists and span various themes. Also, a short stroll through Chinatown will already show you a large number of shops along the street that sell.
