Stand on Hulo-Banga Road in Poblacion and you will see it: a Baroque belltower joined to the church by an elevated walkway, and in front of it a century-old acacia known simply as the Meycauayan Tree. This is the heart of a city whose name comes from may kawayan — "there is bamboo" — and it is the natural place to begin.
Meycauayan suits the traveller passing through southern Bulacan who wants a few hours of real local history rather than a full itinerary. The city is known for its jewelry and leather industries, and its surviving landmarks are few but substantial.
This guide covers the sights worth your time, drawn from what is documented about the city, and closes with a plan for a single day.
Top things to do in Meycauayan
1. Meycauayan Church (San Francisco de Assisi Parish Church)
Built in 1578 and originally located in barangay Bahay Pare, this church was moved to its present site on Hulo-Banga Road in Poblacion after attacks from the indigenous Aeta. It survived the Philippine Revolution and World War II, was destroyed by a fire in 1949, and was rebuilt in 1953. Its Baroque facade and belltower remain, with the tower connected to the building by an elevated walkway.
You will find it at the back of the Meycauayan Water District and the Meycauayan Convention Center. Parking fees are PHP30 for cars and PHP20 for motorcycles. Combine your visit with the Meycauayan Tree directly in front of the church.
2. The Meycauayan Tree
In front of Meycauayan Church stands a century-old acacia that is a landmark of the city in its own right. It is the easiest orientation point in Poblacion and a natural place to pause before or after visiting the church.
See it as part of the same stop as the church rather than as a separate trip, since the two sit together on Hulo-Banga Road.
3. Old Meycauayan Station
On MacArthur Highway in Malhacan, southeast of St. Mary's College, this is one of the stations of the old Manila-Dagupan railway, and it witnessed one of the battles of the Philippine-American War. The station building still stands, though it is slowly crumbling and the interior is closed to the public.
A new station for the North-South Commuter Railway is under construction beside it as of 2026, alongside restoration of the older structure. Look at the exterior and the setting rather than planning to go inside.
4. Kawayanan Festival
This annual festival is hosted by the City Government of Meycauayan. The festivities include street dancing that uses bamboo as the major prop and ornament, depicting the city's local culture and historical outlook.
Because it is an annual event rather than a permanent attraction, check locally for the dates before you build a trip around it.
5. Liputan Barrio Fiesta
Held every second Sunday of May in Barangay Liputan, this fiesta follows a nine-day novena and culminates in a colourful fluvial procession in honour of the "Mahal na Señor", an image of the Crucified Christ venerated on the island of Liputan.
If your visit falls in May, this is the one event that will shape your day, so plan around the second Sunday rather than against it.
6. Meycauayan's jewelry and leather trade
The city is known for its jewelry and leather industries. For years it has been the hub of jewelry production in the Philippines and in Asia, and it is known for low-priced jewelry. Leather goods — shoes, bags and leather products of every kind — have traditionally been manufactured here, and a number of leather tanneries still operate.
Treat this as a reason to walk the commercial streets and look at what is on offer rather than as a single address to visit.
If you only have one day
Morning. Start in Poblacion at Meycauayan Church, taking in the Baroque facade and belltower and the elevated walkway that links the tower to the building. Step out front to the Meycauayan Tree, the century-old acacia that serves as the city's landmark. Remember the parking fees if you have driven: PHP30 for cars and PHP20 for motorcycles.
Afternoon. Head to MacArthur Highway in Malhacan, southeast of St. Mary's College, for Old Meycauayan Station. View the old Manila-Dagupan railway building from the outside, noting the North-South Commuter Railway station under construction beside it and the restoration work on the older structure. The interior is closed, so keep this a short stop. Use the rest of the afternoon to look at the jewelry and leather goods the city is known for.
Evening. Return to Poblacion and end where you began, around the church and the Meycauayan Tree, as the light goes.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Meycauayan for a festival?
The Liputan Barrio Fiesta takes place every second Sunday of May in Barangay Liputan, after a nine-day novena, and ends with a fluvial procession. The Kawayanan Festival is also held annually, hosted by the City Government, with street dancing using bamboo.
Can I go inside Old Meycauayan Station?
No. The station building stands but is slowly crumbling, and the interior is closed to the public. A new North-South Commuter Railway station is under construction beside it as of 2026, alongside restoration of the older structure.
Is there parking at Meycauayan Church?
Yes, and there is a fee: PHP30 for cars and PHP20 for motorcycles. The church is on Hulo-Banga Road in Poblacion, at the back of the Meycauayan Water District and the Meycauayan Convention Center.
What is Meycauayan known for?
The city is known for its jewelry and leather industries. It has been a hub of jewelry production in the Philippines and Asia, and leather goods such as shoes and bags have traditionally been manufactured here, with a number of tanneries still operating.
Decide whether you are coming for the second Sunday of May or for an ordinary afternoon in Poblacion, and you can start planning the rest around that.