Thing to do
Binondo Chinatown Food Crawl
Eat your way along Ongpin Street in Binondo, founded in 1594 and often described as the world's oldest Chinatown, with dim sum, tea houses and a…
Escolta Street Heritage Walk
A short walk along Escolta, laid out in 1594 and once Manila's leading business street, past Art Deco and Beaux-Arts buildings from the early 20th century.
At a glance
- Type
- Architecture walk
- Area
- Binondo, Manila, Philippines
Good to know
- Free to explore
- Art Deco buildings
- Pre-war architecture
Why we recommend it
Escolta Street is a short street with a long history. Laid out in 1594, it is one of the oldest streets in Manila, and its name comes from the Spanish word for escorting. It runs for about half a kilometre parallel to the Pasig River, from Plaza Moraga in Binondo east to Plaza Lacson in Santa Cruz. Merchants, many of them from Fujian in China, settled here during the galleon trade, and by the late 19th century Escolta was the city's most fashionable business address, with its tallest buildings and the Manila Stock Exchange.
The street remained Manila's main commercial district until the 1960s, when business moved to Makati and Escolta went into decline. What survives is a remarkable run of early 20th-century architecture, and walking its length is a lesson in the city's pre-war ambitions. Preservation campaigns have helped to halt demolitions in recent years.
The building most people come to see is the First United Building, an Art Deco block completed in 1928 to designs by Andres Luna de San Pedro, which was the tallest building in Manila when it opened. The same architect designed the neo-classical Regina Building of 1934. Look out too for the Beaux-Arts Calvo Building of 1938, which housed the first radio studio of DZBB, the Burke Building, remembered as the site of Manila's first lift, and the El Hogar Filipino Building of 1914.
The walk itself takes less than an hour, though you can stretch it with coffee stops and time spent looking at façades. Traffic on Escolta runs one way, eastbound towards Santa Cruz, and the pavements can be uneven, so watch your step. Weekday daytime is when the street is most alive with offices and shops, while early weekend mornings are quieter for photography.
Escolta sits on the eastern edge of Binondo, so it pairs naturally with a food crawl along Ongpin Street and a visit to Binondo Church. From the western end, Jones Bridge leads back towards Intramuros. The walk suits architecture fans, photographers and anyone who enjoys finding the older layers of a modern city. Bring water and sun protection, as there is little shade at street level.
Escolta Street Heritage Walk FAQs
Where is Escolta Street?
In Binondo, running parallel to the Pasig River from Plaza Moraga to Plaza Lacson in Santa Cruz.
How old is Escolta?
It was laid out in 1594.
Which building is most famous?
The First United Building, an Art Deco block completed in 1928.
Who designed it?
Andres Luna de San Pedro, who also designed the 1934 Regina Building.
How long does the walk take?
Under an hour, longer with coffee stops.
When was Escolta at its peak?
From the late 19th century until the 1960s, when business moved to Makati.
When is best for photographs?
Early weekend mornings, when the street is quieter.
What can you combine it with?
A Binondo food crawl and Binondo Church.