When one of our favorite local travel companies Bespoke Beijing announced that their First Ever DIY Beihai Park Scavenger Hunt was up and running, we were over the moon. Scavenger hunts boost observational skills, promote problem-solving and critical thinking, support team-work, as well as giving you an opportunity to learn new things. Oh, and you get to spend the day outdoors in a beautiful setting exercising your body as well. What’s not to love?
As the name suggests, this particular hunt takes place all around one of Beijing’s most iconic sites – Beihai Park and is designed to help participants explore and discover the large and beautiful park (which covers over 70 hectares) and the huge amount of history contained within.The motivation to design the scavenger hunt goes a long way back for Bespoke Beijing CEO and founder Sarah Keenlyside. “As a kid, one of the best events I ever did with my family was a New Year’s Day Scavenger Hunt at one of England’s old castles. I still remember it because we learned a lot and had so much fun together.”
The COVID-19 crisis has been extremely tough on tourism businesses like Bespoke, but Keenlyside also saw this as a smart way to pivot the company’s resources, which would usually be taken up with peak tourism season bookings – to adapt to a COVID-19 confined world.“Once we realized that travel outside of Beijing was going to be problematic we decided to look at ways in which we could help people appreciate the incredible world-class heritage sights right on their doorstep a bit more.” She says. “I think now more than ever we need to get out of the house, have quality experiences with our family and friends, and forget about things for a few hours.”
The scavenger hunt can be done at any time the park is open but makes the perfect weekend and summer holiday activity to keep the kids entertained. It’s also available in both Chinese and English, so you could even use it an opportunity to practice your Chinese, or share a day with a Chinese family in your network. After completing the hunt, you and your family can share your scores to be included in the online leader board, and go into the running to win the grand prize of a staycation at The Opposite House. Keenlyside says the competition will be running until approximately November when it becomes too cold to spend the day outside. But while winning a luxury staycation is a great sweetener, we think the best part about this activity is simply getting out and about. “By the end of this Scavenger Hunt, you definitely find yourself inspired, refreshed, and feeling like you’ve achieved something. It’s a mini escape. It really is a beautiful park.”For more information, and to purchase your booklet, click here.