Manila’s Chinese Cemetery in the northern part of Metro Manila is the place where rich Chinese people are buried or cremated. Each tomb shows different style and often includes a specific ornament related to the man’s business. For example, a steel magnate’s tomb was made from steel (unlike other tombs which were made from marble or stone), also a glass tycoon put a beautiful glasswork in front of his tomb.
The Steel Tomb
This is the place where rich Chinese people show the world their wealth and power for the last time. The former king of noodle has a crown above his tomb.
The Tomb of Ma Mon Luk
Another rich man has a tomb which is air-conditioned.
Air-Conditioned Tomb
Another wealthy individual has a garden around her tomb.
A Tomb Surrounded by Small Garden
The founder of this cemetery intended to make this place open for all religions. That’s why in the main temple we can see Buddha, Confucius and Jesus figurines all in one glass box at the center of the temple.
Figurines of Different Religions
My guide said that every Sunday this place is always crowded with families visiting the tomb of their parents or grandparents. In fact, he said, it almost feels like a festivity every Sunday. Such a cemetery, don’t you think?
To get to this place is quite easy. You can refer to my other post.
That’s all and bye for now.
Related Posts: Manila: Where Spanish, American and Asian Cultures Meet; Intramuros: The Heart of Spanish Manila
What an Amazing World! 
How many tombs were there where you visited?
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I can’t remember how much and I didn’t really count. But it was a huge cemetery.
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Interesting insight about the way Filipinos give lavish expenditure for our deceased loved ones. Everything about what you stated on this post is true. Well, welcome to our so-called CULTURE.
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Then I should thank Ruding, my guide at the cemetery who have given me so much information. 🙂
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By the way, I’d like to make it clear that it’s not only the Filipino-Chinese people in my country who practice lavish showcase of the dead but more so the pure Filipinos.
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Thanks for the information, Sony!
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You’re welcome!
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If you enjoy cemetery tours. (not too morbid sounding does it?) I highly recommend visiting Buenos Aires – Recolleta Cemetary. They have lavish mausoleums. Free tours and very knowledgeable guides which give you an enriching history of who is laid to rest there.
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Ahh I’ve heard of Recoletta before. Probably when I visit Buenos Aires one day I’ll pay it a visit, among other places. Thanks for the recommendation!
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I’ve visited Recoleta and was impressed by the tombs in there. It’s just a small cemetery though, and the tombs aren’t that big compared to what you saw in Chinese Cemetery in Manila. The Chinese Cemetery is really mind-blowing in terms of lavishness and size 🙂
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I am semi-obsessed with graveyards and might be heading to Manila in a few months, so I am ecstatic to find this post. Thanks! – Gypsytoes
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Hi Gypsytoes! That was the first time I went to a graveyard on a trip but that’s quite an experience in itself. Take the public transport to get a better feel of how life in Manila is like.
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This post reminds me of a huge house nearby to my parents’ old house. The house was incredible luxurious and it was actually a family cemetery! Not sure what happened with the house at present time…
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I guess it’s a universal thing to value your beloved ones who had passed away by building beautiful tombs. From Taj Mahal to the cemetery in Manila, they all are the embodiment of the same spirit.
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I’m a Filipino and I did the 3 cemetery tours (the 3 cemeteries are near each other and can be done in a day ) in La Loma. Mind-blowing is the right word. Amazing too to find the old families’ mausoleum in such grandeur, many of which are bigger than the size of my residence! You’re one such asventurer. Perhaps next time you can visit the islands south of Manila and write about them. Cheers!
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That was actually the first time I went to a cemetery during traveling as far as I can remember. I was there just a few days after Ching Ming/Cheng Beng festival, so there were traces of offerings and burned papers the day I visited. Is Corregidor the island you’re talking about? If so, I almost went there when I was in Manila but unfortunately I only had so much time. Maybe the next time!
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Not Corregidor, more like Palawan and other beach destinations. Mind you, not many Filipinos have done those cemetery tours. Glad you did.
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Ah I see. Palawan and Bohol are some of the places in the Philippines I wish to visit the next time I come to the country, along with Albay and Banaue. But at least on my first trip I went to a place not many Filipinos are interested in going. 🙂
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All highly-recommended destinations. Up really north, there’s Batanes but good for Jan-April visits only.
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Well noted. Thanks for the info!
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