Leaving behind the sweltering summer heat and the hustle and bustle of the city, the Bolong team packed light and embarked on a unique journey to Inner Mongolia!
When we turned off our computer screens, and the discussions around the conference table were replaced by the wind rustling through deserts and grasslands, we arrived with the sincere hope of further enhancing team collaboration and sparking innovation among members. Amid the camel bells of the desert and the clatter of horse hooves on the grassland, we redefined the meaning of “team” — it is not just the rigid colleague relationship at work, but more importantly, partners who support each other on the journey of exploration and progress.
As the cable car slowly descended over the boundless desert, the striking contrast between greenery and golden sand created a visual feast. Bathed in the warm sun, team members took their first group photo of the day.
When we reached the desert, the sun was painting the sand dunes in a warm golden hue. Team members mounted camels in groups, forming a “camel caravan” that moved slowly forward. The sound of camel bells echoed around us, and beneath our feet was soft, fine sand — every moment brought us back to a state of tranquility.
On the desert, some enjoyed the lighthearted fun of bumper cars, others felt the thrilling weightlessness of roller coasters, and still others experienced the sense of freedom from desert go-karting… At this moment, with the wind brushing past our ears, the usual sound of keyboard tapping faded away, replaced by the clear sound of each other’s laughter and encouragement.
If the desert trip fostered a consensus on “collaboration,” the grassland exploration ignited the courage to “break through.” The excitement of riding a horse for the first time was soon overshadowed by nervousness — even though the horse handler advised not to grip the reins too tightly, team members still clung to them with both hands. However, as the horses trotted along at a gentle pace, the initial nervousness faded. Everyone gradually loosened their grip and let the horses canter across the grassland. This process of “breaking through one’s limits” aligns perfectly with Bolong’s spirit of exploration.
On the grassland night, we feasted on roast whole lamb and drank heartily, then danced around the bonfire to the music. This further dissolved the sense of unfamiliarity among members — this grassland trip is laying a more solid foundation for Bolong’s future cross-departmental collaboration in serving customers.
The final stop of the team-building trip was a “treasure hunt” hidden among the yurts. The rules were simple: each team needed to find 4 natural objects and 1 company flag based on specific clues. The flags were hidden in various corners; after finding the items, teams would draw action cards and earn a point by mimicking the actions in a photo.
During the game, everyone actively searched for the “treasures,” and some even playfully “resorted to all means” to grab them. The photo verification session also left us with precious memories captured in pictures. As the sun set, the treasures were found one by one. Although a few company flags were left behind on the grassland, they became a lasting mark of Bolong’s visit here.
This team-building trip, spanning deserts and grasslands, brought abundant gains to every Bolong member. We learned to “move in the same direction” during the desert camel caravan, to “break through ourselves” to the rhythm of horse hooves on the grassland, and to “divide work and collaborate” in the treasure hunt game — these insights gained from nature will eventually be transformed into strength for our work.
Bolong has regrouped and refreshed here, and it is also from here that we set off anew.
