To The Moon

Wah, went to Chinatown again this CNY season... honestly, the whole place feels so artificial now sia 

 The lights and that massive golden horse still stunning lah, super photogenic with all the lanterns and horse motifs galloping everywhere But walk further in, everything else just... off. 

So many eateries and stalls now run by PRCs – food okay lah, but not the same old-school Singaporean Chinese taste anymore. The classic food street vibe? Gone liao.

 No more that authentic bustle of local hawkers slinging traditional treats; feels more like a tourist trap setup. 

 And don't get me started on those aunties and uncles blasting loud karaoke and singing at full volume in the streets or corners – speaker on max, projector out, every night sia. Irritating can?

 Used to be part of the festive charm, but now it's just noise pollution drowning out everything. No longer feel like a tradition worth visiting for the real CNY spirit.

 Plus, the pasar malam energy has shifted – many proper CNY markets now pop up in neighborhood areas like Hougang Central, Ang Mo Kio, etc. 

Cheaper, more local crowd, less squeezed. Here in Chinatown? Crowds are there, but mostly tourists snapping pics, not buying much. Locals either go JB, shop online, or skip altogether coz prices inflated and economy so-so. 

 Business still looks worse than last year, younger ones bo chap traditions, Naturalised Singaporeans, PRs/foreign talents back home... sigh. Anyone else feel Chinatown has lost its soul this CNY?

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