The Travelling Mama: Binondo in my mind ~ A visit to the world's oldest Chinatown

I find Binondo a bit overwhelming and the fact that we braved Binondo on the eve of Chinese New Year made the experience more nerve-racking.

There were just too many people reveling. However, I cannot fault the crowd. The festivity is alluring and bewitching, I think traceable to Binondo's rich culture and history!

Let's start with some trivia ~

Binondo is the world's oldest Chinatown. It was created in 1584 by the Spanish Governor Luis Perez Dasmarinas as a settlement for Chinese Immigrants (called Sangleys). The purpose of which is to force them to convert to Catholicism. Those who refused conversion were executed.
Binondo got its name from the Tagalog term "binundok' which means mountainous.
Binondo is the birthplace of San Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino saint, and Mother Ignacia del Espiritu Santo, the founder of the congregation of the Religious of the Virgin Mary (the first native Filipino female congregation with approved pontifical status).
Prior to World War 2, Binondo is the center of commerce during the American occupation.

Our crib in Binondo: The Red Planet, Binondo

It is a no frills, bare essential hotel. Rooms were small but were clean and tidy. We weren't expecting much, as it was the hotel's location that made us choose this place. The hotel is barely 500m from Ongpin. Close enough to walk and far enough for a bit a peace and quiet for a good night sleep.

Pictures of the rooms (screen grab from the hotel website). Pictures are the same from the actual rooms we stayed at. We booked 2 rooms, 1 with twin beds for my boys and a double room, for me and my hubby.

Room rates without breakfast is about P1500/night. Perfect for budget and unplanned travels.

I must highlight that check-in was efficient. We arrived at 1030am and were allowed to check-in early. Though it is classified as a budget hotel, the staff service from the receptionist to the security guards was actually 5 stars.

TIPS:

Save more by booking direct as a RED member. >>> Red Planet Hotel
There is a shortcut (170m walk) going to Quitin Parades via Hormiga Street. Quintin Paredes is where you would like to go for Sincerity Restaurant; New Po Heng Lumpia and Quick Snack (by Carvajal Street).

After check-in, we walked our way to Lucky Chinatown Mall for lunch at LanZhou LaMien (aka San Guo La Mien).

LanZhou serves authentic hand-pulled noodles which are surprisingly with huge servings and very affordable.

It was good we arrived early as people were already lining up for seats. You know what they say about block-buster queues right? Food must be good!

We ordered Steamed and Fried Dumplings, Tomato LaMien, Spareribs Knife and Beef Wanton LaMien served with house earth tea. I cannot recall which-is-which when our orders came in one by one, but I can vouch that everything was spot on "masarap".

After lunch, we took the boys to the Chinatown Museum. This museum is conveniently located inside the Lucky Chinatown Mall (4th Floor North Wing, Lucky Chinatown).