Duration: 2 days Time: May Cost per person: 1500 yuan With whom: Couples Activities: Food, shopping, self-driving, culture, free travel, weekend trip Author visited these places: Zhujiajiao Posted on 2020-06-02 13:39 During the May Day holiday, we planned to go out for a walk, thinking of taking a family self-driving tour nearby, but we were afraid of the crowd, and the traffic during holidays is always worrying. So, as soon as the holiday was over, we started our travel plan. After careful consideration, we decided to visit the Zhujiajiao Sun Island Hotel. We heard that the environment there is very good, with lush vegetation, green willows, fresh air with little pollution, and pets are allowed, making it very suitable for self-driving tours. So, three of us, along with our 16-month-old dog Echo, set off in a car towards Qingpu District! Sun Island is located near Zhujiajiao Ancient Town on the outskirts of Shanghai. It is said that there were traces of human life on the island during the Western Zhou Dynasty in China, making it a historically significant island. Self-driving/public transportation: From downtown Shanghai to Zhujiajiao Sun Island via the Shanghai-Chongqing Expressway, it’s about a 1-hour drive, very convenient. If you don’t drive, you can take Line 17 and get off at Zhujiajiao Town, then take a taxi or transfer to a bus. Parent-Child Room: The check-in lobby and villa area of Sun Island are separate. After completing the procedures, you can drive or take the island’s shuttle bus to your room. The villa area is very large, with lush vegetation, adjacent to the Mao River, and walking through it gives a feeling of seclusion. We chose the club parent-child room next to the river, which was indeed very spacious upon arrival. The soft furnishings in the room are all cartoon themes that babies like, with a large chessboard carpet in front, next to it are several boxes of Lego toys, children’s tents, and cartoon dolls. It’s no wonder that it’s a Zhujiajiao parent-child hotel with zero bad reviews. The room is equipped with a capsule coffee machine and free soft drinks, and we also received a bottle of red wine from the hotel’s sister brand, which feels very valuable. The room is designed with a parent-child bed, one double bed + one baby bed, the bathroom has a separate bathtub, children’s special toothbrush and toothpaste, and a child’s toilet seat cover, very considerate. Pet Paradise: After unpacking our luggage, we went straight to the pet paradise with Echo (our silly dog). Before we got there, we saw various parents with dogs, and Echo was very excited. The pet paradise is divided into indoor and outdoor areas. Indoors, dogs can have afternoon tea, play on climbing frames, and play with ocean balls. Outdoors, there is a large open lawn for dogs to run around, and dogs can also swim, which is a professional pet shallow and deep swimming pool~ It is worth mentioning that Sun Island has pet boarding and pet training services, equipped with 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, but the staff were very patient, even giving him biscuits and yogurt, very nice.
Dinner: On the first day, the family tried a small hot pot, with individual pots containing vegetables, meats, fish, and shellfish. The pork bone soup base was thick and rich, and the vegetables were said to be organically grown on the island, crisp and refreshing. Combined with meat and seafood, it was more than enough to satisfy our appetite. For those who still feel hungry, an additional staple food can be ordered without limit. On the second day, we took the island shuttle bus to Mermaid Wharf and boarded the Mermaid Train to the hotel lobby for breakfast. The train is composed of blue and white colors, with vibrant paintings on both sides of the car, full of childlike innocence. The journey stops at three stations: the hotel lobby, Mermaid Wharf, and the Small Green Space. With a ticket, one can ride all day, enjoying the island scenery along the way, which is very refreshing. Breakfast was enjoyed at the hotel’s buffet restaurant, which must be praised for its high quality within the hotel. It offers both Chinese and Western cuisines, with excellent noodle dishes at the open kitchen and homemade soy milk and yogurt that are exceptional. Western options such as salads and bread are also available, and the whole family was very satisfied with the meal. Entertainment/Leisure: Before arriving, we had heard that the Equestrian Club on Zhujia Jiao Sun Island was very famous. After breakfast on the second day, we took our daughter to ride horses. At first, 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. Protective gear is worn before mounting, and staff lead the horse throughout the ride, ensuring there is no danger, and the child had a great time. Observing many children learning professional equestrian skills at the horse farm (Shanghai Sun Island Equestrian Club) was quite impressive. There are many places on the island suitable for children to play, and we chose to start at the Craftsmanship Pavilion to do some crafts. With an instructor and a tool kit, all we needed to do was follow along. We selected a soft pottery and a leather bag, and successfully completed both! The weather in May was already quite hot, and many people gathered at Mermaid Wharf, making water activities a popular choice. Our family of three rented a water bike, enjoying a leisurely and pleasant time. For lunch, we chose the Waterfall Western Restaurant on the first floor of the lobby. We weren’t very hungry after such a filling breakfast. We ordered a special children’s meal for our daughter, with kid-sized utensils, freshly made burgers, and juice, which were very popular. My husband and I tried the new Dirty Milk dessert, made with fresh milk and fruit, a very nice treat on a cool early summer day. After a satisfying meal and a fun day, we headed home. The time spent on Zhujia Jiao Sun Island was very pleasant, with a leisurely pace that relieved our fatigue and calmed our minds. We hope to have the opportunity to come again. In the afternoon, we returned home relaxed and happy.
