Harbin Shangri-La Hotel held its annual Christmas lighting ceremony on Dec 1, 2017, providing students from Yongsheng Elementary School and guests a day of enjoyment.

Yongsheng Elementary School, a rural school in Harbin, is Shangri-La’s adopted charity. Since September 2014, the hotel has organised activities to improve the school’s facilities and broaden students' horizons. The annual Christmas lighting is one such activity.

Hotel staff sang Christmas carols while Yongsheng students performed a dance and presented 63 cards with their Christmas wishes written on them. The cards were put on a special Christmas tree, made of books that will be donated to the school.

A charity bazaar followed where items on sale included handicrafts made by students, goods donated by the hotel and its suppliers, and food. All proceeds go toward scholarships for Yongsheng’s students.

Carrying a wish to "light up dreams with knowledge and build hope with love," Harbin Shangri-La Hotel hopes this activity will encourage students to study hard and realize their dreams in the future.

Tyson Wang, area manager of Harbin Shangri-La Hotel dances with children from Yongsheng Elementary School who are dressed in Santa Claus costumes. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Tyson Wang, area manager of Harbin Shangri-La Hotel shows a hand-painted picture by a student from Yongsheng Elementary School. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]