DataPower Team building Trip
recently took a team building trip to Zhangjiajie in Hunan province. Zhangjiajie is known for its stunning quartz-sandstone pillars and mountainous karst topography, and served as inspiration for the fictional world of Pandora in the film Avatar. Our 3 day trip allowed us to bond as a team while exploring this unique UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Day 1 – Tianmen Mountain
We kicked off our team building adventure by taking the cable car up Tianmen Mountain. As we ascended nearly 1300 meters, we gasped at the spectacular panoramas of the surrounding forested mountains shrouded in mist. We playfully nicknamed each other after theAvatar characters during the ride. Once at the top, we courageously walked out onto Tianmen Skywalk, a 300 meter long, 1 meter wide, glass pathway clinging to the cliff face. This challenged us to support our teammates as we confronted our fears together. After, we hiked Tianmen Mountain’s 99 bends, a winding stone stairway leading to Tianmen Cave, a giant natural hole piercing the mountain top.
Day 2 – Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon
The second day brought us to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon. We descended into the lush valley via a glass-bottomed bridge, thrilled by the dizzying height. Our guide pointed out the rocky pillars dotting the canyon, their curved shapes resembling a huddling army, which inspired the park’s name meaning “forests of lesser hills.” We then boarded rafts and rowed down the river as a team, working together to navigate the gentle rapids. After lunch in the canyon village, we returned to raft back upriver, requiring coordination and communication amongst us. In the evening, we bonded over dinner and drinks while reflecting on the highlights of our adventures so far.
Day 3 – Yellow Dragon Cave
On the final day
we explored Yellow Dragon Cave, taking the underground boat ride through the brightly lit subterranean world. As we floated beneath towering stalagmite columns, we imagined fantastic alien landscapes like those Jake Sully encountered on his Pandora expeditions. The experience brought us closer as a team as we relied on each other while navigating the dark caverns. After emerging from the caves, we hiked to Immortal Pond, fed by a waterfall cascading down sheer cliffs above. Sitting together at the tranquil pond’s edge, we shared our appreciation for the park’s marvels and for having this memorable team building experience together.
Our time in Zhangjiajie challenged us individually while strengthening our bonds as a team. Conquering new experiences like the cliffside skywalks brought out our courage and camaraderie. Navigating the rivers and caves required trust and teamwork. And sharing the emotional highlights made us more open and connected. We returned from the trip with enhanced communication, problem-solving and support for one another that will translate to more effective collaboration back in the office. This trip demonstrated how shared adventures and overcoming adversity together can transform colleagues into an unbreakable team.
