Lucky Chinatown – A Vibrant Chinese New Year in Binondo

Indeed, the Philippines is known to have diverse multi-cultured Cities. One of the most colorful places Manila has to offer is the district of Binondo. In here, you will find historic oldest full-scale lifestyle mall, the Lucky Chinatown. It is intended to provide a combination of history, tradition, and leisure experiences for every visitor. The mall is anticipated as a heritage project that promotes Binondo’s tradition of commerce and tourism in modern times. This expansive four-level, 108,000 sqm mall brings wide range of international quality fashion brands with bargain stores and low-cost products. The Lucky Chinatown is also known as the oldest Chinatown market. A building for budget-shopping and pop-up kiosks prevalent in Divisoria and other Chinatown around the world is found here. You should go here if you’re looking for authentic Chinese merchandises. Read more for a glimpse of this colorful market.

The Chinatown

There are “Chinatowns” all over the world, including Europe, North America, South America, Asia, Africa, and Australasia. It is a Chinese ethnic enclave located outside of mainland China that is usually in an urban setting. Most Chinatowns arose as a result of mass migration to areas where there were no or very few Chinese residents. The population and culture of mixed-raced continued to grow up to this day. Since then, the emergence of combined Asian cuisines with Chinese touches spread out quickly. Foods such as fried noodles, dumplings, and fluffy pastries are some of these. Whether you’re a foodie exploring a country’s traditional flavors or a gourmand who enjoys fusion and experimentation, Chinatown’s diverse food offerings are sure to satisfy your appetite. Have you been in one too? Share your experience as we gladly continue to tell ours as well.

The Binondo, Manila

Binondo in Manila is the world’s oldest Chinatown and the home to Lucky Chinatown mall. Thus, it has been established in 1594 by Governor and Captain-General of the Philippines Luis Pérez Dasmariñas. A lot of Chinoys, or Chinese-Filipino families reside in the district. Binondo was designed to be a permanent home for Chinese immigrants. Particularly, those who had converted to Catholicism and intermarried with indigenous Filipinos. Later, it became the main business and finance center in Manila for ethnic Chinese, Chinese mestizos, and Spanish Filipinos. It became the center of a banking and financial community from western countries prior to World War II. However, following the war and new development, most businesses began to relocate to Makati’s newer areas. Now, Binondo is no longer the main financial district of Manila. Nonetheless, the district’s long history of trade lives on in the Filipino-Chinese businesses that thrive there today.

Attractions and Stores in Binondo

Moreover, here are some of the famous attractions and stores you can find in Binondo

The Lucky Chinatown

Lucky Chinatown, is the prestigious lifestyle destination and gateway to the world’s oldest Chinatown, in the heart of Binondo, Manila. It includes the mall, hotel, condominium, and the Chinatown Museum – the country’s first cultural site devoted to Binondo’s Chinatown. If ever you decided to go here, you should get the full experience and try everything thy can offer. Here’s the breakdown of the leisure places you can go to in this historic place.

Lucky Chinatown Mall

If you’re looking for a world-class Chinese-fusion lifestyle mall, this is where you should go. Take in the celebrations during the Lunar New Year and Mid-Autumn Festival, when the streets are alive with activities. In here you can find almost everything you need. Such as clothes, shoes, gadgets, home furniture, almost everything is available. This entertainment and shopping destination is conveniently located beside the business community in the area attracting tourists and locals. Who wouldn’t? The place is filled with vibrant ornaments and decorations. Also, you’ll hear upbeat Chinese and modern music everywhere. There are so many food stalls and restaurants nearby serving delectable international cuisines. The tradition and culture are indeed showcased even after through these years are very inviting.

Recommendations

Shi Lin – A Cantonese restaurant known for their signature dim sum, the Xiao Long Bao.  It is stuffed with meat, made out of pork leg and back fat, as well as the restaurant’s secret ingredients. They serve different authentic Chinese dumplings here.

Phoenix Dragon Feng Shui Store – If you’re into astrology and fortune telling, you should try visiting this place also. Samson Chua predicts your future based on the year you were born and your Chinese Zodiac sign. Chua also gave an explanation of what Feng Shui is and what it can do. There’s no harm in trying. It’s still up to you if you’ll take the advices as a guidance.

Beijing Foot Spa – After all the extravaganzas and nice foods, you might wanna take a rest and a get a good massage. Especially if you strolled the place the whole day, this is the last-stop you should go to. They also have Ventoza and Guasha massage services.

Food Stalls

There are tons of affordable food alternatives you can try outside the mall. Especially If you’re craving different street foods. Filipino, Chinese, Korean, Italian, and a lot more international staple budget meals are found just right outside. Inded, you don’t have to go far away from the area just to eat and save more money. Food skewers such as Isaw, Chinese Kikiam, and Tteokbokki are appetizing enough to be a full meal. There are also fried noodles and noodle soups on some stalls. Fruity beverages and milkteas to quench your thirst are available also in the area. For sure, you’ll never ran out of things to try.

Chinatown Museum

Manila’s Chinatown is indeed steeped in history and remains one of the city’s prestigious business districts. Furthermore, Manila’s relationship with China dates back to the 10th century. The roots are deep, and the Binondo Museum beautifully encapsulates the story. Meanwhile, you can try to visit this at the 4th floor of the Lucky Chinatown. It has 18 galleries displaying the history of Binondo showing you a glimpse of life prior to World War II. The majority of the exhibits in the museum are recreations created by skilled craftsmen from the National Museum. Aside from museum items that visitors can touch and photograph, Chinatown Museum also has interactive and changing exhibitions.

Museum Tickets Prices

• Children below 4 feet are free of charge
• Students (must provide ID) Php 100.00
• Regular (Adults) Php 150.00
• Senior Citizens and Differently Able People Php 120.00

Hotel Lucky Chinatown

Indeed, a day of tour around the Lucky Chinatown isn’t enough. If you’re looking for nearby places to stay, without interrupting the culture and tradition experience, this is where you should book. Moreover, Hotel Lucky Chinatown is located in the heart of Binondo, where culture meets luxury and comfort meets leisure. This hotel provides airconditioned rooms with city views. The well-thought-out architectural design elements of the building harmoniously complement in the timeless aesthetics of old Manila. While the interiors transport guests through state-of-the-art hotel amenities and functionality. Moreover, they offer a range of wellness facilities including a hot tub and a sauna. The crew and members are hospitable. Indeed, you’ll definitely feel at home in your stay here. For bookings, contact them through:

Hotel Lucky Chinatown Phone number: 253188188

Covid19 Hotel Restrictions

Recently, protocols and safety measures were implemented for more security in the pandemic. In spite of this, the Hotel Lucky Chinatown continued the operations but with strict arrangements.

• Certain services and amenities may be reduced or unavailable.
• Shortened the hours of operation for reception and service.
• Adheres to strict physical distancing in the vicinity.
• Wearing a face mask is mandatory in all indoor common areas.

Family and Pet Friendly

The Lucky Chinatown is a place to go for family bondings and catching ups. Of course, nobody wants to leave the furry babies left behind, right? Bring them as well as long the litters are taken care of. Everybody needs to keep the area clean. Then enjoy your holidays with loved-ones, furry or not!

How to get there

Via LRT1

• First, take a ride from the LRT-1 to Carriedo Station. Then, ride the jeepney to “Divisoria” Alight at the Plaza Lorenzo Ruiz. Finally, walk along Reina Regente St. until you see Lucky Chinatown Mall on your left.

Via LRT2

• First, take a ride from the LRT-1 to Recto Station. Then, ride the jeepney to “Divisoria” Alight at the Plaza Lorenzo Ruiz. Finally, walk along Reina Regente St. until you see Lucky Chinatown Mall on your left.

Via Taxi/Grab Car

• Book a Taxi or GrabCar from any point of Metro Manila or nearby Cities. However, this might cost more money for fare.