Duration: 2 days Time: May Average cost per person: 1200 yuan With whom: Family Activities: Free travel, weekend trip The author visited these places: Zhujiajiao Sun Island Huangpu River Shanghai Sun Island Resort Hotel Published on 2020-06-03 11:43 Now I have time to organize my feelings about this vacation. Why do happy times always pass so quickly? The outing I promised my daughter for a long time was finally realized in May. I deliberated for a long time when choosing the destination and finally decided on the Sun Island Resort Hotel near the ancient town of Zhujiajiao. First, the family-friendly hotel is suitable for a family of three. Second, hotels that allow pets are really rare. Third, Sun Island is the closest family resort to downtown Shanghai. So, the three of us along with our 16-month-old dog Coco set off in our car towards Qingpu District! Sun Island is located near Zhujiajiao Ancient Town in the surrounding area of Shanghai. Sun Island was originally called Mao Island. As far back as the Western Zhou Dynasty in China, there were traces of human life on the island. The island is connected to the Mao River, Taipu River, and the Dianshan Lake, Huangpu River, and Taihu Lake basins, making it an important landmark for ships traveling through the three major waters. It was May, and the vegetation on the island was lush, with green willows, fragrant grass everywhere, and a taste of the April bloom and a paradise away from the world. Self-driving/public transportation: We drove from downtown Shanghai to Sun Island via the Shanghai-Chongqing Expressway, and it was about a one-hour drive, which was very convenient. If you don’t drive, you can also take Line 17 to Zhujiajiao Town and then take a taxi or transfer to a bus. At the entrance, I liked the large sculpture with a style somewhat similar to Van Gogh’s Fauvism. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a mermaid. Hehe, everyone can appreciate it as an art piece. Otherwise, it would be quite different from the aesthetic standards of modern beauties. Favorite Family Room: The check-in lobby and villa area of Sun Island are separate. After completing the procedures, you can drive or take the shuttle bus on the island to your room. The villa area is large, with lush vegetation, adjacent to the Mao River, and walking in it gives a feeling of seclusion. We chose the club family room next to the river. Before checking in, I was told that this room type was 71, and upon arrival, I found it to be very spacious. The soft furnishings in the room are all cartoon themes that babies like. As soon as you enter, you can see a large chess carpet, next to which there are several boxes of Lego toys, children’s tents, and cartoon dolls. It’s no wonder that it’s a 0-negative comment Shanghai family hotel. The room is equipped with a capsule coffee machine and free soft drinks, and also gives a bottle of red wine produced by the hotel’s brother brand, which feels very cost-effective. The room is designed with a parent-child bed, one double bed + one baby bed, the bathroom has an independent bathtub, children’s special toothbrush and toothpaste, and a children’s toilet seat pad, which is very considerate.
Pet Paradise: After settling in, I immediately took Coco, my silly dog, to the Pet Paradise. Even before arriving, we saw many pet owners with their dogs. Coco was extremely excited. The Pet Paradise is divided into indoor and outdoor sections. Indoors, dogs can enjoy afternoon tea, climb frames, and play with balls. Outdoors, there’s a vast grassy area for exercise and even a professional pet swimming pool. It’s worth mentioning that Sun Island offers pet boarding and training services with professional dog trainers who can help correct bad habits and teach some skills. Coco was boarded for an afternoon, and although she was timid and kept barking, the staff were very patient, even giving her biscuits and yogurt, which was very nice. Mermaid Train: After leaving the Pet Paradise, I took my daughter to ride the Mermaid Train. The train is a combination of blue and white, with colorful paintings on both sides, full of childlike charm. It stops at three stations along the way: the hotel lobby, Mermaid Dock, and Small Green Space. With a ticket, you can ride all day, enjoying the island scenery and feeling refreshed. On the first day, we had a family hot pot dinner. Each person had their own pot, with a set meal including vegetables, meat, fish, and shellfish. The pork bone broth was thick and rich. I heard the vegetables are organically grown on the island, crisp and refreshing. With meat and seafood, it was enough to eat. If you’re still hungry, you can add a staple food, unlimited~ The next morning’s breakfast was at the hotel’s buffet restaurant. It’s worth praising as it’s of very high quality in the hotel, with both Chinese and Western options. The open kitchen’s noodles are very tasty, and the self-made soy milk and yogurt are exceptional. If you prefer Western food, there are salads and bread available. The family was very satisfied with the meal. Play/Entertainment: Before coming, I heard that the Equestrian Club at Shanghai Sun Island is very famous. After breakfast the next day, I took my daughter to ride horses. At first, she was a bit scared of the big horses, but when the staff brought a small pony for her to ride, she immediately fell in love with it. Before riding, they wear protective gear, and the staff hold the horses the whole time, ensuring safety. My child had a great time. I saw many children at the Equestrian Club (Shanghai Sun Island Equestrian Club) learning professional horse riding, looking very handsome~ There are many suitable places for children to play on the island. We chose to go to the Craftsmanship Hall to do handcrafts first. There are teaching teachers and tool kits, just follow the steps, we chose a soft pottery and a leather bag, and both were successfully completed in the end! In May, the weather is already quite hot, and many people gather at Mermaid Dock, making water sports a popular activity. Our family of three rented a water bike, enjoying a leisurely time~ Lunch was chosen at the Waterfall Western Restaurant on the first floor of the front hall. We were not very hungry after a full breakfast.
For our daughter, we ordered the special children’s meal, which came with child-specific utensils. The freshly made hamburgers and juices were very popular with the little ones. My husband and I tried the new ‘Dirty Milk’ dessert, made with fresh milk and fruits. It was an excellent choice for a refreshing and cool drink during the early summer. Overall, Shanghai Sun Island Resort Hotel is a great place to relax and escape the hustle and bustle. In an environment where urban air quality is generally poor, having such a pristine spot is truly precious. Apart from a few areas that still need improvement, everything else is quite satisfactory. Many working professionals visit for weekends, so it’s advisable to book a room in advance.
