Meet on the Yangtze
Yangtze river, China
Why is it special?
As the longest river in Asia, the mighty Yangtze River runs for about 6,395km, stretching from China’s Qinghai Province out to the East China Sea bordering Shanghai, passing by several major Chinese cities such as Chongqing and Wuhan, as well as the scenic Three Gorges along the way.
What can you do there?
With so many prominent cities located along its banks, the Yangtze River offers an ideal place to have a meeting.
Delegates can board the cruise at a city of their choosing and once onboard mix meetings with sightseeing before disembarking at another city of their choice.
Victoria Cruises offers trips between Shanghai and Chongqing and between Chongqing and Yichang, including visits to the Three Gorges in between.
Two of the company’s ships, the Victoria Anna and Victoria Rose, offer meeting and conference facilities.
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River rafting
River Kwai, Kanchanaburi, Thailand
Why is it special?
“The region of Kanchanaburi is a hidden gem on the mountainous border with Myanmar. It is a tranquil and movingly beautiful spot, with soaring limestone cliffs and lush greenery,” says Emma Dodwell-Groves, a producer with Paradigm Consultants International.
The river is the site of the 1957 movie The Bridge on the River Kwai, Kanchanaburi is where the rivers Khwae Noi and Khwae Yai converge to become the Mae Klong River. Also situated in Kanchanaburi is a section of the infamous Death Railway that runs between Bangkok and Yangon in Myanmar, where your group can take a jungle walk.
What can you do there?
A variety of activities can be organised in the rich natural environment such as kayaking or raft building and paddling down the river Khwae Noi and zip-lining 200m across the river from a limestone cliff to the beach.
Participants can also enjoy elephant rides, mountain biking and All-Terrain-Vehicle rides through the Thai jungle.
To end off a day of tiring activities, a tribal jungle party complete with flame torches, tribal dancing and spit-roasted suckling pig can be arranged for you to celebrate your surviving the “ordeal”.
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Shiver me timbers
Hong Kong
Why is it special?
Hong Kong is a city surrounded by water and most people love to explore the territory via the many ferries that sail between Hong Kong’s harbours.
The options are endless for teambuilding activities that offer a chance to look at the city from a different perspective.
What can you do there?
Harking back to days of old, when notorious pirate Cheung Po Tsai roamed the waters, groups can engage in high-sea adventures or historical re-enactments onboard The Bounty. This includes climbing the rigging, hoisting the sails, walking the plank, pirate shanties and curses and mock battles.
Groups can also kayak or build rafts and paddle to the waters off Lamma Island or the New Territories. Other activities include kayak polo and kayak treasure hunts.
For the more adventurous, you can rock climb and abseil on Tung Lung Island with the waves crashing around you, while the more daring can experience an aerial traverse suspended 30m above the swirling waters of Tung Lung Island. Dress sensibly to fully enjoy the experience.
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Water puppets
Hanoi, Vietnam
Why is it special?
Vietnamese water puppetry, or Múa r?i n??c (literally translated as “puppets that dance on water”), is a traditional art originating in the area of the Red River Delta in the 10th century.
Múa r?i n??c is a popular art form that is performed all over Vietnam. Wooden puppets “dance” on the surface of a 4mx4m waist-deep pool, giving the appearance of them moving over water. In reality, the performers use a large rod and strings that are hidden underwater.
What can you do there?
The Thang Long Water Puppetry Theatre does five shows a day and tickets cost around US$4 per head.
“This kind of art is rather simple but reflects the lives of people in rural areas, which make up 80 percent of Vietnam. Each show is inspired by legends, fairytales, and Vietnamese history,” says Jamie Crisp of Kuoni Destination Management Asia.
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Sunset on the lake
Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia
Why is it special?
Cambodia is home to the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, the Tonle Sap, which was designated a Unesco biosphere in 1997.
The lake’s water flow changes direction twice a year, and changes its area size dramatically between seasons, making a water experience always unique.
What can you do there?
Sunset cocktail cruises can be arranged on the Tara Boat, the largest boat on the Tonle Sap. Treat your group to a buffet dinner, then kick aside the tables and chairs and dance the night away to a live band.
The boat can carry about 250 people and is located at the edge of the Tonle Sap, less than 15km from Siem Reap.
It also features a viewing deck, comfortable seating, hammocks, a bar, dining area, and audio-visual equipment.
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Red admirals
Minsk world, shenzhen, China
Why is it special?
The Minsk is a Cold War relic, a former aircraft operational carrier in the Soviet Union’s Pacific Fleet, named after the capital of Belarus. Today, it is a floating museum, part of the Minsk World theme park in the port of Shenzhen. The ship’s crew quarters have been restored giving an insight into life aboard ship. Decommissioned weaponry and Mig fighter jets as well as exibitions on space flight and aviation add to a fascinating and educational experience
What can you do there?
Unquestionably one of the more bizarre sights in this southern Chinese city, Minsk World offers various entertainment and dining options. Your group can book a Russian Evening, with dancers and musicians performing on the flight deck. Alternatively, you can entertain your team on land in the similarly themed Minsk Square, or take advantage of the surroundings to enact simulated war-games as part of a teambuilding exercise.
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Dive, dive, dive
Grand Bay, Mauritius
Why is it special?
As a water getaway, the tropical island of Mauritius is about as exotic as it gets, known for its white sandy beaches and clear blue waters.
What can you do there?
Based in Mauritius, Blue Safari is the Indian Ocean’s only commercial submarine operator.
It operates two submarines, a six-seater BS600 and a 10-seater BS1100, as well as a number of two-seater sub-scooters, which can stay underwater for three hours.
Groups can enjoy their lunch 40m below the water surface in the BS600 surrounded by fish, coral reef and the remains of a wrecked ship. The BS600’s cabin is a vertical cylinder made of hard plastic and is completely transparent. The lunch experience lasts for two-and-a half-hours, of which 90 minutes will be spent underwater
Both submarines can be arranged to dive together allowing passengers a dramatic view of the other vessel.
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Sailing on the Irrawaddy
Irrawaddy River, Myanmar
Why is it special?
The Irrawaddy River is the longest river in Myanmar stretching from the country’s north to its south, and has long acted as an important waterway for transporting goods. It is also along the Irrawaddy that all Myanmar’s ancient capitals are located.
What can you do there?
Despite the country’s politics, Myanmar is filled with unexplored landscapes.
Ayravata Cruises operates two ships, the RV Pandaw, a restructured boat built in 1947 with 16 cabins that can house 32 guests, and the newer RV Paukan built in 2007 with 24 cabins housing 55 guests.
Cruises start at Bagan or Mandalay. A seven-night cruise takes your group on one of the less-travelled routes, passing Khata in the north, the town that George Orwell, a former colonial policeman, based his novel Burmese Days on. Another nine-night cruise, starts at Bagan and brings passengers down the Chindwin River.
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