October in Shanghai is the most comfortable season of the year, with a hint of autumn in the air, warm sunshine, and fresh air. An outdoor activity is just perfect for this time. Weekends are joyful times for children and parents. Since having a child, I have visited amusement parks of all sizes in Shanghai, but there’s one that has always been in my collection, waiting for a crisp autumn day to fully enjoy. So, we took advantage of their Halloween event and chose a sunny weekend to visit this large outdoor parent-child park, Jigao Rabbit Nest Park.
Jigao Rabbit Nest Park is a new large-scale outdoor parent-child park that opened in Shanghai this year. There are many amusement parks in Shanghai, but it’s quite rare to find one that focuses on parent-child outdoor activities on such a large scale. For those who love the outdoors, it is highly recommended to bring a tent, wear comfortable clothes, prepare spare clothes for the baby, and bring some delicious food for a full day of outdoor parent-child activities.
Duration: 1 day, Time: October, Cost per person: 800 yuan, With whom: Family, Travel style: Self-driving, Free travel, Weekend getaway. The author visited these places: Shanghai Zhang Garden, published on November 11, 2020, at 14:49.
Jigao Rabbit Nest Park is located in the Lavender Park of the Shanghai International Tourism Resort, close to Shanghai Disney and Yi Ou Lai. From Exit 3 of Disney Station on Metro Line 11, it’s about a 400-meter walk. We chose to drive there, and by navigating to ‘Rabbit Nest Parking Lot’, we arrived at the parking lot located inside Guangming Ecological Park. We arrived around 10 a.m., and there were already few parking spots left. The park opened at 9 a.m., and many families came early with picnic baskets. The parking fee is 10 yuan per hour.
Growth World, the castle in macaron colors, is about a 5-minute walk from the parking lot to the entrance of the scenic area. If you like sunshine, picnicking, or live nearby, it is highly recommended to buy their annual pass, which is worth the price after just two visits. For first-time visitors, you can get a park map at the visitor center to understand the facilities in the park. However, in Rabbit Nest, there is no need for a strategy or a specific route; just enjoy the joyful time here. Prepare your health code in advance and enter the park.
As soon as you enter the park, you’ll be dazzled. The entire park creates various dreams for children, with bright colors and fresh, cute cartoon animal shapes, as if you’ve entered a miniature world. Climbing the colorful castle, riding on the neck of a giraffe, jumping from one cute rabbit to another, it’s a dreamy and interesting experience. Rabbit Nest Park is mainly divided into three major areas: Rabbit Kingdom, Growth World, and Creation Bay. The main entrance faces Growth World, as if you’ve arrived at a small castle, which has a very pleasant name, Sky Castle. Climbing to the highest point allows you to get closer to the sky.
In the Growth World, there are four themed play areas including Aviator, Cloud Street, Dreamcatcher, and Smart Corner. As relatively higher physical abilities are required here, it is more suitable for slightly older children to play. Climb up the castle and then slide down from the super-long slide. Enjoy water carnival and jump on the huge trampoline. Screams and laughter are endless. Each of the four themes in the Growth World has its own characteristics. The Sky Castle is the most attractive. For such a large castle, children can conquer it through various climbing methods. Different routes can all lead to the central tower. Here, children’s physical abilities and coordination can be trained. More importantly, courage. After climbing up the castle, as a reward for the little warrior, one can slide down from the high castle slide and feel its speed and excitement. Of course, there is a height restriction. Only children over 110cm can play.
After sliding down from the slide, there is a large area of sand. Children play here while parents accompany them. Children’s happiness is always so simple. A patch of sand can keep them occupied for an entire morning. Beside the castle, there is a group of children jumping. This is the Dreamcatcher area. The trampoline here has a super large area and can accommodate many children to jump on it to their hearts’ content. If the former ones have age restrictions, then the Smart Corner in the Growth World attracts children of all ages. Here is like a water world for children. They use their wisdom and hands-on ability to operate this mini water conservancy project.
Upon entering the park, the atmosphere is filled with Halloween spirits, and the Halloween pumpkin decorations at the entrance are the first stop for children and parents to check in.In the afternoon, the large lawn at Rabbit Nest Park comes alive with a variety of parent-child interactive activities. Ghost tug-of-war, pumpkin cart races, and pumpkin man races are just a few of the events that take place one after another. These activities require the joint efforts of parents and children, which I truly appreciate. They allow us to spend more time with our children and actively participate in their fun.
One of the most memorable experiences for my baby was the lion face painting. In the growth world of the park, there are artists who offer free face painting for children. Babies, dressed as little tigers, roam around the park, driving little cars and making new friends as they set off to discover a new world. They play joyfully in the sand, attempting to build a fairytale castle in their hearts. These adorable face paintings are so cherished that the children are reluctant to wipe them off even when they get home.
As the afternoon progresses, a grand garden party begins on the vast lawn. Bobbing for dolls, fishing for goldfish, and various open-air shops are all on display, much to the delight of the children. As the amber twilight stretches its graceful figure, stage performances also commence. From collective interactions of children to Halloween costume shows, the children play happily while parents watch with joy.
As night gradually falls, the entire Rabbit Nest Park remains immersed in a fairy tale world. The secret of the dinosaur bones still hides in a corner, waiting for children to uncover. The internet-famous rabbits return to the tranquility that only exists at night. The normal closing time of Rabbit Nest Park is 5 pm, but due to the Halloween event, it was extended to 8 pm. This fulfilling day is definitely worth the ticket price.
I finally understand why so many people revisit Jigao Rabbit Nest Park. Just like its name, it is not just a park but more like a nest (home). Bring a tent and build a small home here. When you want to play, let the children fully release their nature, accompany them to explore, stimulate their creativity and imagination, and exercise their courage and bravery. When tired, return to your own little nest and feel the happiness of the whole family together.