Ahead of Chinese New Year, Glodok Starts to Get Crowded with Merchants

Glodok area starts from Jalan Kemenangan III, Petak Sembilan to Jalan Pancoran Raya are crowded with ornaments merchants ahead of Chinese New Year 2571 that will be celebrated on Saturday, January 25.

Usually a week ahead of Chinese New Year, ornaments price rises

Merchants sell various Chinese New Year's goods such as Chinese clothing, red envelopes, decorations, and desserts. Most decorations are using red, gold, and green colors.

Henry Sumantri (53), a merchant on Jalan Pancoran Raya said, he sells decorations for Chinese New Year with price range from Rp 5,000 to above Rp 100,000.

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For lanterns, he sells it between Rp 150,000 - Rp 300,000 based on its size. While price for small golden chinese money is Rp 20,000 per package.

He also sells door decorations with price between Rp 15,000 - Rp 35,000; paper cutting Rp 25,000 - Rp 60,000; red envelopes Rp 5,000 per package; and manekin neko statue with price Rp 350,000.

"Chinese New Year is 15 days ahead. Usually a week ahead of Chinese New Year, ornaments price rises. Our income can increase above 50 percent from normal days," he explained, Friday (1/10).

Other merchant, Aping (52) also conveyed the similar thing. He also sells Chinese New Year decorations but on Jalan Kemenangan III, Petak Sembilan. Regarding current Chinese New Year, he admitted, it is not as crowded as last year.

"Last year, even a month before Chinese New Year, this area was crowded by people who were looking for decorations. But there are not many customers this year," he mentioned.

Last year, he could earn more than Rp 2 million per day but this year it only reaches Rp 500-700 thousand.

"Hopefully, it becomes more crowded around a week ahead of Chinese New Year like the previous years," he said.