Get ready, Beijing! A new event is coming to town! On June 6, Chi Fan For Charity (CFFC) will be hosting the Black Tie Ancient Silk Road Ball to launch the 2026 CFFC annual calendar. The event, which will take place at Hamarkand Silk Road, a restaurant known for its halal cuisine, marks CFFC's inaugural ball.
This evening promises to be an elegant affair focused on community and charity. Attendees can look forward to a champagne reception, a premium caviar station provided by Mivela Caviar, a Silk Road dinner paired with wines, an afterparty featuring live DJs and bands, a lucky draw, a silent auction, and gift bags worth over RMB 1,000 each, along with additional surprises.
Like all CFFC events, the primary aim is to raise funds for charitable causes. Proceeds from the ball will support the 2026 CFFC charity organizations and Autism Rehabilitation Centres for Children. Voting for the 2026 CFFC charities is currently open, and participants can click on this link to join.
To learn more about the ball, we spoke with CFFC Director Preston Thomas about the inspiration behind the Ancient Silk Road theme, the reasoning behind hosting a ball for the first time, and his aspirations to make this event a signature annual celebration in Beijing.
What inspired CFFC to organize a ball for the very first time? "Honestly, I've attended many balls over the years, some enjoyable and some not so much. So, I thought, why not bring the community together again with a new spring ball in 2026, one that’s affordable and includes champagne and caviar? I told MJ, the chairman of CFFC, that if we're going to do a ball, we need to do it right! By that, I meant having ONE bottle of ICE-COLD champagne for each person at their table after the reception. At RMB 888 per person, that's a great deal!"
Why was the Ancient Silk Road theme chosen for the ball? "The ancient Silk Road was all about connecting people – through food, culture, and ideas. CFFC embraces these same values of uniting people. So, I thought, let's celebrate coming together and building connections. This isn't just about one country, as many other balls tend to be; it's about the various countries and cuisines that have shaped us."
The ball will support the CCFC 2026 charities and Autism Rehabilitation Centres for Children. What led you to select this charity? "CFFC has always focused on great food and meaningful causes. For this ball, we decided to collaborate with Knot of Warmth, a student-led charitable initiative that has supported the Cherish Autism Rehabilitation Centre in Tongzhou for the past two years with a silent auction.
Having lived in Beijing for 15 years, I felt it was crucial to support the community through at least one of the charities, which is how the Knot of Warmth initiative came about. We'll announce the CFFC charity recipients on June 6, but there are several strong local candidates from around Beijing. Supporting our local community is essential!"
Besides attending the ball, are there other ways for people to get involved? "Absolutely! If you cannot make it to the ball, you can still participate in the silent auction. Knot of Warmth will host an online silent auction starting May 20, which will begin on June 6 at 9pm. I’ve heard they have nearly RMB 50,000 in prizes for the silent auction, which is incredible! All funds raised will go towards purchasing rice, flour, and oil for the children at the Cherish center in Tongzhou."
Is the CFFC Ball intended to be a one-time event, or do you hope for it to become an annual tradition? "I would love to see this evolve into one of those iconic Beijing balls. CFFC has been around for 18 years; I hope this Ancient Silk Road ball continues to grow. Ultimately, I'd like to involve some of the countries along the ancient Silk Road in future events, showcasing cultural performances. At the end of the day, it’s all about bringing people together!"
With champagne flowing, Silk Road-inspired culinary delights, and a charitable mission at its center, the CFFC Ancient Silk Road Ball promises to be an unforgettable evening. Whether for the glamour, community spirit, or the cause, it will celebrate culture, connection, and giving back.
The CFFC Black Tie Ancient Silk Road Ball will take place at Hamarkand Silk Road Restaurant on Saturday, June 6, from 6:30 PM until late. A ten-person table is priced at RMB 8,888, while individual tickets are RMB 988 each. Tickets can be booked by scanning the QR code on the accompanying poster. For more details about the ball and the itinerary, click here.
Hamarkand Silk Road Halal & Exotic Theme Restaurant
1/F, Zhongfu Building, South Gate, Gongti Dong Lu,
Prepare yourself, Beijing, there's a new ball in the area!