2026 Ace Inflatables Team Retreat: An Unforgettable Journey to Kaiping’s Cultural Heritage

In early August 2026, the Ace Inflatables team embarked on a 2-day team building excursion to Kaiping, Jiangmen — widely known as the “Capital of Overseas Chinese” in Guangdong Province. More than just a leisure getaway, this trip was designed to help our team step away from daily work routines, immerse ourselves in authentic Lingnan overseas Chinese culture, and strengthen our team cohesion. From historic arcade streets to UNESCO World Heritage sites, every stop brought us new insights and cherished shared memories.

Day 1: Rural Heritage Exploration & the Magic of Chikan Ancient Town

Our journey began on the morning of August 8th. After gathering at our designated meeting point, we set off by coach for the roughly 2.5-hour ride to Jiangmen.

Our first stop was Tianxia Liangcang (The World’s Granary), a rural cultural landmark in Tangkou Town. Built largely with reclaimed century-old blue bricks and traditional craftsmanship, the site preserves the original look of a 1960s grain management compound, complete with Mongolian-style granaries, processing workshops and vintage farming tools. We wandered through the exhibition areas, learned about the local history of grain storage and rural life, and enjoyed the unspoiled, down-to-earth countryside atmosphere.

Following a satisfying local lunch, we headed to the highlight of the day: Chikan Overseas Chinese Ancient Town. With a history of over 370 years and more than 600 well-preserved arcade buildings, Chikan stands as the largest, most continuous and best-preserved arcade town in China, earning its title as a National Historical and Cultural Town.

We spent the entire afternoon exploring the riverside old streets, admiring the signature mix of Chinese and Western architectural styles that line both sides of the Tanjiang River. The town was buzzing with cultural performances throughout the day: lion dance shows, immersive street theatre, traditional folk acts and live music performances. Our team explored at a relaxed pace, caught different shows along the way and captured countless photos of the timeless streetscapes.

After dinner together, we gathered for the spectacular nighttime performances. We watched The Homecoming live show at the waterfront plaza, followed by the iconic Fire Show — a breathtaking intangible cultural heritage display of iron flower fireworks performed on a 170-meter, 360-degree rotating riverside stage. The shower of glowing sparks against the night sky was the most stunning moment of the day, and a perfect end to our first day of exploration.

We stayed overnight at the Changsheng Hotel located right inside the scenic area, allowing us to fully enjoy the peaceful evening ambiance of the ancient town.

Day 2: World Heritage Diaolou & the Legendary Overseas Chinese Garden

We started our second day with breakfast at the hotel, then checked out and headed to our first UNESCO World Heritage site: Zili Village Diaolou Cluster.

Made famous as the primary filming location of the blockbuster film Let the Bullets Fly, Zili Village is home to 15 diaolou (fortified watchtowers) and villa-style residences built by returned overseas Chinese in the early 20th century. We climbed up Mingshi Tower — the iconic residence featured in the film — and saw the well-preserved household furnishings and decorations inside, which offered a vivid glimpse into the lives of the overseas Chinese who built these remarkable structures. From the top of the tower, we looked out over the lush rice fields dotted with diaolou, and gained a real sense of the architectural ingenuity and historical weight of this world heritage site.

After lunch, we visited Liyuan Garden, celebrated as “the finest overseas Chinese garden in China”. This private masterwork skillfully blends traditional Chinese garden aesthetics with Western architectural elements, creating a unique landscape of pavilions, waterways and grand western-style mansions. As we strolled through the grounds, we learned about the thoughtful feng shui layout and the touching stories of the garden’s founder. The harmonious fusion of Chinese and Western design left a deep impression on every member of our team.

In the mid-afternoon, we boarded our coach for the return trip, bringing our relaxing and fulfilling 2-day journey to a close.

A Memory to Cherish

This Kaiping team building trip was far more than a break from work. It gave the Ace Inflatables team a chance to connect outside of the office, share wonderful experiences, and draw inspiration from the rich cultural heritage we encountered. At Ace Inflatables, we know that a close-knit, inspired team is the foundation of outstanding products and service. We returned to work with renewed energy and team spirit, ready to bring even more creativity and dedication to every inflatable product we deliver to our customers around the world.

We are already looking forward to our next team adventure！