Christmas starts early at Radisson Hotel Pudong Century Park in Shanghai

Instead of starting Christmas dinners on December 24th as is traditional. The Radisson Hotel Pudong Century Park in Shanghai is throwing the city's 'First Christmas' party on Sunday December 23 to take advantage of the fact that this is the first non work day of the Christmas period.

The hotel has also commissioned local pop artist Chen Hangfeng to create customised artwork and multimedia installations under the theme 'Christmas by Design' which will be on display throughout the hotel from November 25.

Chen's works are festive but also provocative as he questions the consumer culture that dominates Christmas in China. His abstract Christmas trees and snowflake decorations are formed using the logos of famous international brand names in complex patterns which reference traditional Chinese paper-cutting techniques.

Inside his Gift Boxes in the lobby, a video installation shows factory workers in a village of Zhejiang province that mass produces around 50% of the world's Christmas gifts and decorations.

"Christmas is becoming a very important holiday in modern Chinese culture, a symbol of increasing purchasing power and growing consumer desire," said the artist. "I hope to reveal an insight into Chinese consumer culture which provokes the question: "What is the true meaning of Christmas?" For many people in China it means producing toys and gifts for the rest of the world."

Against this artistic backdrop, Radisson's 'First Christmas' celebrations will be held on Sunday December 23, when families are free from work and school. A lavish party in the Magnolia Ballroom will feature a Christmas dinner buffet, live music and entertainment, and a Grand Lucky Draw with prizes including a luxury overseas holiday for two along with digital cameras, iPods, mobile phones, DVD players and more. Tickets are priced at RMB 888 net per adult and RMB 488 net per child, inclusive of unlimited red, white or sparkling wine, beer and soft drinks.

Also on December 23, Infinity restaurant will be serving a 'First Christmas' buffet dinner with live music and a lucky draw priced at RMB 688 net per adult and RMB 388 net per child, followed by a Christmas Eve buffet dinner accompanied by live jazz priced at RMB 488 net per adult and RMB 288 net per child, and a Christmas Day Brunch for RMB 268 net per adult and RMB 148 net per child.

Signature Chinese restaurant Yar Chi Ting will offer a selection of festive menus throughout December priced from RMB 188 net for a minimum of two people, with special dinners on December 23 and 24, and a Christmas Day Dim Sum lunch for RMB 118 net per person.

For those wanting to make a night of it, guests who book the 'First Christmas' dinner on Sunday December 23 at Magnolia or Infinity will be entitled to enjoy the 'First Christmas' accommodation package for just RMB 688 plus 15% surcharge. This includes one night's stay at the five-star hotel with 30% discounts on food and beverage, use of the gym, sauna and tennis court, complimentary in-room broadband internet access and wireless in public areas, free admission to the Zendai Museum of Modern Art and late check-out until 4pm.

A selection of traditional Christmas goodies will be available at Bytes Deli, from brandied Christmas pudding to mince pies and chocolate liquors. Bytes Deli also has deluxe hampers filled with Christmas treats and a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Champagne that make nice gifts for friends or associates.

The 362-room Radisson Hotel Pudong Century Park was conceived as an 'art hotel' complementing the neighbouring Zendai Museum of Modern Art by the same owners. Designed by Australian firm Hassel and featuring specially commissioned artworks and sculptures by high-profile Chinese artists, the hotel combines striking contemporary design with stylish all-white guestrooms and the latest high-tech conveniences making it one of the world's most unique and ravishing Radissons.

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