Binondo CNY 2026 Urban Tour and Photowalk
Introduction
For the 3rd year in a row! We're heading back to Binondo—the world's oldest Chinatown—to refresh our spirits and seek luck and prosperity! We'll be exploring the city through a casual walking tour, visiting restaurants, cafes, and old cramped shops to buy some Asian Delights!
Here's our itinerary
Park at the Escolta Parking Building
A view of the historic Manila Post Office
Brunch at Toho Panciteria (known as the oldest restaurant in the country)
A walk to Ongpin for Lucky Charms and Giggles
For fortune reading, do not wear purely black or white shirts, colored shirts are fine, pack clothes if you wanna stay breezy
Afternoon side quests to take photos and experience refreshing sugar cane juice, dumpling shops, hopia or bakpia delights and some Asian grocery staples
Visit some shrines and light some incense, or visit the historic Binondo Church
Chill at the growing arts hub and cafes at Escolta for some gifts and trinkets and merienda—very hipster!
Shop at Eng Bee Tin for pasalubong and risk lining up to the famous Binondo bites stall for fried Xiao long bao!
Cross the Jones Bridge and get exposed to the local community of the Pasig River esplanade!
Finish the day with a dinner at the 1818 Grand cafe, a fusion of different cuisines at the historic HSBC building.
The detailed itinerary will be delivered a few days prior in the group chat we'll be making on WhatsApp.
What to Expect and Prepare for:
Wear comfy, supported closed walking shoes. We'll be doing a lot of walking!
Bring a secure bag. 🎒 Sling bag is fine, but preferably a backpack!
Load your bag with a bottle of H20 💧
Bring your chargers and powerbanks!
Free photography 📸 lessons for the photo walk, so bring your digital camera with manual features. Phones will do!
Wear comfortable clothes🎽. Athletic wear is even better! Light Linens if you're boujie👚 but please keep it simple!
In case of slightly wet weather, bring an umbrella ☔, but you can also use it against the sun too! (February is usually cool and breezy, so rain won't really be an issue most of the time)
Alcohol—no, not that kind! 😒 for hygiene and sanitation, not for drinking.
For our vampiric 🧛🏻 friends who are alive at night and hate the day: Bring sunglasses and Wear Sunscreen to keep looking young and fresh! Do not forget your dopp kit, which you can use at rest stops to freshen up. We like nice-smelling people 😘
Once you RSVP for the event, we will be making a private group chat to onboard you to this Binondo Tour.
Please bring your own cash and plan around our activities. You may budget up to 5K for food and shopping. 10K if you're crazy for the more premium Chinese charms and products.
Disclaimer: We will not be responsible for any losses and incidents that may occur on this tour. Binondo is full of characters, both bad and good. Do not be a victim by staying vigilant and staying close together. Do not wear or look like you're going to close a business deal or impress a date. Let's enjoy the sights and sounds; whatever the conditions may be, it's one of the oldest CHINATOWNS after all. FULL OF HISTORY AND CHARACTER!
For any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out.
See you there!