Q: How does Shanghai Treasure Hunt work?
A: Teams of 4 to 6 players collaboratively solve a series of puzzles, riddles and mini-mysteries, each leading to an exciting mystery location - a historical plaque, a hidden view, an architectural delight - that few tourists ever see. The team that solves the most clues and plans their route around the playing area most strategically wins the hunt.
Q: How difficult are the clues?
A: Our treasure hunts are tailored to the audience, but do not require familiarity with the playing area to achieve success. Solving clues can call upon a variety of skills: knowledge of current events, popular culture and literature; the ability to use the provided map and street index intelligently; simple puzzle solving; research skills; the ability to work effectively as a team. Some clues are easy, a few are difficult, and many are in-between, giving players a variety of intellectual challenges.
Q: How long does a treasure hunt last and when to take place?
A: Typically between two and four hours on a Saturday afternoon. After the hunt we will get together for a nice dinner to share the experience from the hunt. We can tailor the hunts to your needs and scheduling requirements.
Q: Where do treasure hunts take place?
A: We are based in Shanghai. We offer hunts in several of Shanghai's most colorful and historically-rich locations such as Suzhou Creek, Yu Garden and French Concession etc. Each hunt clue leads to a unique, secret location, an off-the-beaten track treasure spot that is a joy to discover. We want to lead players to unforgettable sights that most tourists and many residents never knew existed. We can also create an entirely customized hunt in the city or meeting place of your choosing.
Q: What to bring to the treasure hunt?
- Comfortable footwear (you will do a lot of walking and / or running in the course of the hunt)
- Layered clothes, and possibly a backpack to carry them in.
- A spirit of adventure and a zest for new experiences.
- Snacks or drinks in a backpack.
- A digital camera.
Q: How physically demanding is the treasure hunt?
A: This also is tailored to meet your specifications. Do you have a group of employees in their early twenties who are restless after sitting through two days of meetings and training sessions? We can provide them with a simultaneous intellectual and aerobic workout that will take them over a city's most famous hills. Want something more relaxed? We can provide a leisurely hunt on level ground that gives players time to experience the city at a slower pace.
Q: What are your customized hunts?
A: Customized hunts are created from scratch for your event, in a location of your choosing. They can have a specific theme relating to a location, a film or literature, or something connected with your business or organization. We can also incorporate professional role-playing actors into our hunts.
Q: What are the benefits of a treasure hunt?
A: Treasure Hunting offers an intense, challenging experience, a simultaneous intellectual and aerobic workout that draws out each player's knowledge and personality. It's a great social ice-breaker, and fosters camaraderie. Treasure hunts are excellent tools to:
- Introduce new employees to the company and / or location
- Introduce employees working together on a project
- Emphasize team-building skills at a formal training session.
- Provide a break at a conference or convention
- Reward a department for successful completion of a project
- Acquaint participants with the history, geography and resources of a location.
- Enliven social gatherings and events
- Educate participants in new ways of seeing and exploring their environment
Treasure hunts provide more than just a fun afternoon discovering fascinating new locations. They reward good team work, and require many of the skills necessary to succeed in business, or in life, such as:
- Creative thinking
- Good listening skills
- Using effective research to arrive at a correct conclusion
- Seeking and building a consensus for a plan of action
- Plotting a strategy, then having the flexibility to change it when anticipated results do not appear.
