Manila Chinatown: Chinese New Year Walkabout

It was the eve of Chinese New Year, and what better place to be in Manila than Chinatown? I wasn’t running of course, but it was really nice to walk around and see how this festivity is celebrated.

Entrance to Manila Chinatown

It may not be a surprise if I reveal that I’m actually a quarter Chinese, and because of that I’m naturally curious with some Chinese traditions (since we don’t really observe them at home). Since I was coincidentally in the area and had my trusty camera along, walking around on this festive day in Manila Chinatown was a no-brainer.

Let’s begin the tour…

Lucky charms, anyone? 😀

Snake balloons for the incoming “year of the snake”

It appears to be a cross but I don’t understand the incense near it…

…and there are candles as well

Lots of people for the festivities

But you definitely know you’re in the Philippines
with these “everlasting” flowers

A dog? 😀

Did I suddenly got lost in the streets of Macau? 😀

Somehow Manila Chinatown kinda
look like Hong Kong at night

More lucky charms! 😀

I know that this is supposed to be a lion…
perhaps a lion from outer space?

What’s Chinese New Year without firecrackers?

Walking around can make anyone hungry, but unfortunately the places we preferred to eat were already closed at the time so we just settled for what was around.

Time to get some food…

Beef noodles for supper 🙂

After dinner we headed off to the area’s latest development, Lucky Chinatown Mall to watch the fireworks display for the forthcoming Chinese New Year.

One of the latest malls in Manila: Lucky Chinatown Mall. It’s not that big (by Metro Manila’s standards) but it has very nice Chinese-inspired architecture and has nice assortments of Chinese restaurants.