Manila Chinese Cemetery

Visiting the Manila Chinese Cemetery is like stepping into another dimension in time that is both Chinese and Filipino.

For this alone it is quite worth the travel to this unique cemetery. If you want to see exotic and historic mould into one, then you better not miss the Manila Chinese Cemetery when you come to Manila. The Manila Chinese Cemetery would be a perfect setting for one of the old Jackie Chan movies. It is a blast from the past, a kind of time travel.

In fact, if you do visit the cemetery you will be treated to different Chinese temples, memorials and halls, all of them are unique and have their own history. Considering that this is the second oldest cemetery in Manila and was designed for Chinese citizens during the Spanish colonial period, you will be treated to a truly unique sight seeing experience.

As you enter the cemetery, you will see the oldest Chinese temple in Manila, the Chong Hock Tong Temple. This temple is different from the typical Chinese temples around since it was built in the mid 1800s. What you will see here is the architecture similar to the ones found in the Fujian province.

If you have seen some of the temples in Malaysia and Singapore you will definitely find the resemblance. If you have not been to those places, then seeing the Chong Hock Tong Temple for the first time is indeed a treat.

If you are into recent history, then you should be glad to see the Liat See Tong or the Martyrs Hall in the Manila Chinese Cemetery.

Here you can find the final resting place of the Chinese leaders executed during WWII by the Japanese. Not as grand as you would expect, considering it was an honour, but still it is worth commemorating the Chinese communities’ plight during the last world war.

Although you might expect that the Manila Chinese Cemetery is only for the Chinese, you will be surprised when you walk around that there are also Filipino-Chinese leaders and heroes buried in the place.

There is of course the Carlos Palanca Memorial or Tan Quien Sien which is a memorial to this 19th century Chinese-Filipino businessman and leader. The memorial is in recognition of his efforts to build the cemetery for the Chinese who were not allowed to be buried in the other cemeteries during the Spanish era.

Then of course you might want to see the Ruby Tower Memorial, the burial site of Filipino hero Apolinario Mabini and other notable Filipino-Chinese and Chinese figures.

How do you get to the Manila Chinese Cemetery

Getting to the Manila Chinese Cemetery is quite easy; you can take a jeepney, taxi or the LRT. If you want to take the jeepney, you can ride the Monumento – Baclaran trip. Tell the driver to drop you off the Manila Chinese Cemetery.

Or if you choose to take the LRT, you can get off from R. Papa Station and then take a motorized bicycle with side cars (trike), which will take you directly to the Manila Chinese Cemetery.

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