Christmas spirit ignited with hotel charity event

Shangri-La Hotel Changchun in Jilin province welcomed the Christmas spirit with a charity Christmas lighting ceremony on Nov 29.

The event encouraged people to take part in Shangri-La's corporate social responsibility initiatives that promote a green lifestyle and environmental protection, said Wei Wei, general manager of the hotel.

The gala night started with songs and dances by children from Columbia English Kindergarten and foreign students from Jilin International Studies University.

After watching the hotel management team water and light a Christmas tree, guests were invited to use Alipay's mini program Ant Forest to support Shangri-La Group's online forest. Ant Forest is a green initiative that converts daily activities such as walking, riding shared bicycles and using Alipay to points that result in real trees being planted.

"They (guests) have done a favor for Shangri-La to accomplish the target of planting 5,000 trees to support reforestation in the western deserts of China by 2021 when this global luxury hotel group celebrates its 50th anniversary.

"All online participation will turn into tangible results of real tree planting through Ant Forest and their NGO partners. Everyone can do their part, everywhere, every day, to help protect the planet," Wei said.

During the event, the hotel launched the Hougang Village Poverty Relief Project 2020. It aims to raise funds for low-income families in Hougang village in Yushu, a city under the administration of Changchun, for the reconstruction of dangerous houses.

"Twenty-two households in Hougang village are poor and some of them are living in dilapidated houses. They desperately need new houses," Wei said. She added that in October 2016, Shangri-La Hotel Changchun collaborated with the local government to build five new houses there. The hotel raised funds worth 100,000 yuan ($14,210) in 2017 and 110,000 yuan in 2018.

Following the lighting ceremony, a charity sale of Yule log cakes－a traditional holiday dessert resembling a log－was held. The proceeds will go to poor people in Hougang village.

"I really did not expect such an experience. It is full of Christmas atmosphere and Shangri-La Hotel Changchun always gives us many surprises. While participating in Christmas activities, I can also contribute to low-income villagers and environmental protection. This is really a very meaningful activity," a guest named Roman said.

In the days leading up to Christmas Eve, the hotel has a lot to offer. A Christmas market at the hotel's lobby is being held this weekend from 1-4 pm.

On Dec 24, the hotel will host a Christmas wonderland party in its grand ballroom on the second floor, making itself the hottest hangout in freezing Northeast China.