Le Meridien brings Shenyang culture to life through artwork

French hotel brand Le Meridien is integrating its romantic, artistic approach with the local culture of Shenyang, capital of Liaoning province, providing an innovative experience when guests explore the city during their stay at Shenyang Heping Le Meridien Hotel.

In cooperation with Chutima Treearayapong, a young Thai artist, the hotel is showcasing videos and photos taken at popular tourist destinations in Shenyang, enabling visitors to get a glimpse of the city from the photographer's creative perspective.

The exhibition at the hotel's Le Meridien Hub is part of the brand's Follow Me program, a visual journey created by global artists for all Le Meridien hotels. The event runs from April 3 to the end of May.

Treearayapong created the artworks last December after she visited Shenyang Palace Museum, 1905 Cultural and Creative Park, Shenyang Aviation Museum and Zhongshan Road, a landmark in the city's Heping district.

Shenyang Palace Museum is the former imperial palace of the Manchu ethnic rulers from 1625-44, before they emerged from Northeast China with their armies, swept across the entire country and founded the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) in Beijing.

Today, modern commercial streets and shopping malls line the palace walls. "I felt the balance of Shenyang integrating the new and the old, which impressed me a lot," Treearayapong said.

Kong Yue, brand and marketing director of Le Meridien Hotels and Resorts in Asia Pacific, said: "With more hotels being established worldwide, Le Meridien will always focus on exploring the culture, art and cuisine of every destination."

"The Follow Me program can enrich guests' arrival experience when they walk in the hotel hub," Kong said.

In addition to the program, Le Meridien also partners with cultural centers in the destination city to offer culturally curious guests a free visit, called the Unlock Art program.

Guests at Shenyang Le Meridien enjoy free entry to Shenyang Aviation Museum when they show their room cards.

Xiao Ling, senior manager of brand and marketing at Marriott International in China, said: "The room card can open not only the door of the guest room, but also the gateway to art."

Jiang Nan, general manager of Shenyang Heping Le Meridien, said that the hotel not only provides classic French food and drinks, but also integrates elements from the local cuisine.

An example is the combination of Shenyang's traditional finger-shaped bacon puffs, a dessert originating from 19th-century France.

"In the Shenyang Le Meridien hotel, guests can enjoy the salty and spicy puffs, which they can't have in another hotel," Jiang said.

The hotel, which opened last November, is the first property operating under the French hospitality brand Le Meridien in Northeast China and the 15th across the country.

Marriott International, one of the largest hotel companies around the world, has owned the brand since 2016.

caoyingying@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 04/21/2018 page10)