Chinatown Walk

At first, Chinatown doesn't seem like a particularly appealing tourist destination: it's noisy, somewhat run-down, and traffic often stands still in jams. It's helpful to remember that a Chinese trading presence has existed here since the 800s, and this district, known as Binondo, grew up as a neighboring town for oppressed Hokkien immigrants and their descendants. The best way to see it is from a jeepney or a kalesa. Known as "the oldest Chinatown in the world," Binondo in Manila is home to several historic sites and temples, as well as being an excellent place for an amazing gastronomic adventure. For me, the best time to visit Chinatown is Chinese New Year, when the community becomes livelier thanks to all the festivities.