With few China tourists, Chinatown turns to Christmas festivities to bring in the crowds

The light-up on Trengganu Street in Chinatown on Nov 25, 2022. - ST

SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): Chinatown is welcoming Christmas in a big way this year, with a two-day festive market in December where visitors can buy arts and crafts, attend workshops and get a massage as they enjoy performances by buskers.

The Dec 17 to 18 event in Pagoda Street and Smith Street from 11am to 8pm is the latest effort by Chinatown to draw residents and tourists after its major market from China, which made up about 40 per cent of its tourist pool, dried up due to the country’s zero-Covid-19 policy that restricts international travel. Tourists now mostly hail from Europe, Australia, India and South-east Asia.