BEYOND the hustle and bustle of urban Hong Kong is a little known fact – 75 per cent of the city’s land mass is actually greenery. Organisers of post-conference activities and incentive itineraries will find that many of these green assets offer outdoor activity space and sanctuaries for reinvigorating team spirit.
Autumn is the best time of the year to reconnect with Hong Kong’s great outdoors. Organisers can rally their teams for fun-filled bonding through active adventures such as hiking along picturesque trails, boating to UNESCO-recognised sites or trying Chinese martial art exercises.
It is equally uplifting to take idyllic tours exploring Hong Kong’s hidden gems on the Outlying Islands, or join mindfulness workshops to boost the group’s well-being, eco-awareness, empathy and compassion, or enjoy wholesome dining at farm-to-table restaurants, organic farms or temples.
Go Active to Master Teamwork
Hong Kong boasts diverse nature walks and trails for hikers of different skill levels. Take the renovated Peak Tram up to the Peak and enjoy an easy walk around the Victoria Peak Circle Walk while taking in panoramic views of Hong Kong’s famous skyline.
Take lots of group pictures at the century-old stone dams and arched bridges along the walk from Tai Tam to Quarry Bay, framed by the blue-green waters of Tai Tam Reservoir.
Another easy walk awaits at Eagle’s Nest Nature Trail, named after the black kites that roost there. For those who relish a challenge, try to scale the 1,200 steps leading up to the twin peaks of Violet Hill.
A gentle group workout with teammates can draw colleagues closer together with a Tai Chi class in a picturesque outdoor location. Teams can also get fit and bond while learning Wing Chun kung fu, while there are also opportunities to discuss mindfulness and wellbeing.
Alternatively, revitalise the team with a game of golf and tennis at the prestigious Hong Kong Golf & Tennis Academy, or kayak in the sheltered Sai Kung Inner Sea to marvel at the rock formations and landscapes of UNESCO Geopark.
Go Idyllic to Reset and Stay Focused
Hong Kong has a total of 263 Outlying Islands, and hidden gems can be found on many of them that are a boat trip of no more than an hour from the city. Ferry your team to one and go hiking, explore traditional culture or enjoy a fresh seafood feast together.
Yim Tin Tsai offers a heritage trail for exploring the island’s 300-year cultural history, complemented by a sea salt-making workshop at UNESCO-recognised salt pans. On Lamma Island, a hike between Yung Shue Wan and Sok Kwu Wan is rewarded with breathtaking scenery and fresh seafood and other treats after the walk.
Cheung Chau has diverse iconic landmarks and historic temples to explore, ideal for team-building exercises such as the treetop canopy walk at Sai Yuen, outdoor cooking and making local snacks. Tai O on Lantau is like a living museum of a traditional fishing village complete with quaint houses on stilts. A fishing village eco tour offers an authentic junk boat ride with guide; view an exhibition of old photos of a fishing village or try rope weaving and salted fish-making workshops.
Go Mindful to Boost Team Wellness
A variety of mindfulness activities can be adapted to boost well-being, eco-awareness and empathy to help align with corporate social responsibility principles.
Go forest bathing amid Hong Kong’s stunning urban green spaces and unspoilt countryside. Try a Tea Appreciation x Singing Bowl experience. This maximises the calming and healing benefits of Chinese tea coupled with meditation and the Tibetan singing bowl.
Plant a seedling together to repopulate forests and offset carbon emissions. An Adventure in the Dark is another thought-provoking exercise, with the senses of hearing and smell heightened while exploring in total darkness guided only by a visually impaired professional explorer.
Go Wholesome to Stay Fit
Taking a wholesome dining experience together can help your team members feel good inside and out. Dining at the tranquil Chi Lin Vegetarian Restaurant nourishes both body and mind when paired with a guided tour of the enchanting Nan Lian Garden. The nourishment continues at popular vegetarian restaurant Kung Tak Lam Shanghai, which serves refined dishes with seasonal ingredients that are pleasing to the eyes and taste great.
Teams can also bond while making traditional Chinese pastries at homegrown bakery Kee Wah, while LockCha Tea House offers all-day vegetarian dim sum accompanied by tea-inspired cocktails and beers.
Michelin One Star restaurant Roganic creates imaginative menus using house-grown herbs and seasonal produce sourced from local organic farms, offering a health-enhancing Western cuisine experience. Or try farm-to-table dining at Zen Organic Farm and hand-pick leafy greens, fresh herbs and tomatoes to make your own pizza cooked in an outdoor wood-fired oven.
Enhancing team wellness in Hong Kong’s nature will generate many benefits for activating your team’s motivation and productivity.
Read more about Hong Kong’s Wellness & Nature offerings for team bonding in the Hong Kong Incentive Playbook…
