Duration: 2 days. Time: May. Per capita cost: 1500 yuan. With whom: Couple. Ways of playing: Food, shopping, self-driving, humanities, independent travel, weekend trip. Published on June 2, 2020, 13:39.
During the May Day holiday, we planned to go out for a walk. We wanted to take a nearby self-driving trip with the family during the holiday, but we were afraid of the crowds. Moreover, the traffic is worrying during holidays. So after the holiday, we started our travel plan. After much consideration, we decided to go to the Sun Island Hotel in Zhujiajiao. We heard that the environment there is good, with lush vegetation, green willows, fresh air and little pollution. Moreover, pets can be brought along, which is very suitable for self-driving. So, three of us and our 16-month-old dog Echo set off in a mighty way and drove towards Qingpu District!
Sun Island is located near Zhujiajiao Ancient Town around Shanghai. According to legend, there were traces of human life on the island as early as in the Western Zhou Dynasty in China. It is an island with a long history.
Self-driving/public transportation routes: Driving from downtown Shanghai to Sun Island in Zhujiajiao takes about an hour via the Shanghai-Chongqing Expressway, which is very convenient. If you don’t drive, you can also take Line 17 and get off at Zhujiajiao Town. After getting off, you can take a taxi or transfer to a bus.
Beloved Parent-Child Room: The check-in lobby and villa area of Sun Island are separated.
After completing the necessary procedures, you have the option to either drive by yourself or take the island’s shuttle bus to your room. The villa area is expansive and lush with vegetation, bordering the Mao River. Walking through it feels like you’re on a secluded path. We opted for the club parent-child room, which is conveniently located near the river. Before checking in, we were informed that this type of room spans an area of 71 square meters. Upon arrival, we confirmed that the room was indeed very spacious.
The soft furnishings in the room are all designed with cartoon themes that are appealing to children. As you enter, a large flight chess carpet greets you. Additionally, there are several boxes of Lego toys, a children’s tent, and cartoon dolls placed nearby. This Zhujiajiao parent-child hotel has managed to maintain zero negative reviews, which is quite impressive. The room is well-equipped with a capsule coffee machine and complimentary soft drinks. Moreover, a bottle of red wine from the hotel’s sister brand is provided, adding to the overall value.
The room features a bunk bed design, including a double bed and a baby bed. The bathroom is thoughtfully equipped with an independent bathtub, children’s toothbrush and toothpaste, and a children’s toilet seat cushion, showing great attention to detail.
Pet Paradise: After settling our luggage, we immediately took Echo, our playful dog, to the pet paradise. En route, we encountered various dog owners, which made Echo extremely excited. The pet paradise is divided into indoor and outdoor sections. Indoors, you can enjoy afternoon tea for your dog and engage in activities like climbing frames and playing in the ball pit. Outdoors, there is an oversized lawn where your dog can run freely and enjoy the outdoors.
This reformatted text should flow more naturally and be easier to read for an English-speaking audience.Dogs can also swim here. It is a professional pet swimming pool with different depths. Sun Island offers pet boarding and pet training services. There are professional dog trainers who can help dogs correct bad habits and learn some skills. Echo was boarded here for an afternoon. The little guy was timid and kept barking. The staff was very patient and gave him biscuits and yogurt. Super nice.
Dinner: For the first day’s dinner, the family tried the small hot pot. One person has one pot. The set meal includes vegetables, meat, fish and shellfish. The pork bone soup is thick. I heard that the vegetables are organic vegetables grown on the island. They taste very crisp. With meat and seafood, it is completely enough to eat. If you don’t feel full enough, you can add a staple food without limit.
On the second day, we called the island’s shuttle bus to go to the Mermaid Wharf. At the Mermaid Wharf, we took the mermaid small train to the hotel lobby to have breakfast. The small train is composed of blue and white colors. The two sides of the train body are painted with colorful paintings, full of childlike charm. The journey stops at three stations: the hotel lobby, Mermaid Dock, and the Small Green Space. With a ticket, you can ride all day, enjoying the island scenery and a pleasant mood. Breakfast is enjoyed in the hotel’s buffet restaurant, which boasts high quality, offering both Chinese and Western options. The open kitchen serves delicious noodles and rice noodles, and their self-made soy milk and yogurt are exceptional.For those who prefer Western cuisine, there are salads and bread available, satisfying the whole family. Recreation/Entertainment:
Before arriving, we heard of the renowned Equestrian Club at Zhujiajiao Sun Island. After breakfast on the second day, we took our daughter horseback riding. Initially, she was a bit afraid of the large horses, but when the staff brought a small pony for her to ride, she fell in love with it immediately. Proper safety gear is provided before riding, and the staff lead the horses throughout the activity, ensuring safety and a delightful experience for our child. At the equestrian field (Shanghai Sun Island Equestrian Club), we observed many children learning professional horsemanship, which was quite impressive.
The island offers many places suitable for children to play. We chose to visit the Craft Pavilion to do some handcrafting, where there are instructional teachers and tool kits. We selected a clay pottery and a leather bag project, both of which we successfully completed!
With the weather already warm in May, the Mermaid Dock area has gathered many people, and water activities have become popular. Our family of three rented a water bicycle, enjoying a leisurely and melodious ride.
For lunch, we chose the Waterfall Western Restaurant on the first floor of the lobby. Having eaten too much for breakfast, we were not very hungry. We ordered a special children’s meal for our daughter, complete with children’s utensils, freshly made hamburgers, and juice, which were very popular.My husband and I tried the new Dirty Milk dessert, made with fresh milk and fruit. It was a perfect cool treat for early summer. We had a satisfying meal and an enjoyable time. Then we returned home. The time spent at Zhujiajiao Sun Island was delightful. The leisurely pace there helped us shed fatigue and calm our minds. We hope to have the opportunity to visit again. In the afternoon, we returned home comfortably and relaxed.