Zhujiajiao Sun Island: A Dazzling Pearl in the Ancient Water Town, a Worthwhile 2-Day Trip

We had planned to go out for the May Day holiday, wanting a family road trip nearby, but afraid of crowds and the inevitable holiday traffic jams. So, once the holiday was over, we started planning our trip, and after much deliberation, we decided to visit Zhujiajiao Sun Island Hotel.

We heard the environment there is wonderful, with lush vegetation, green willows, fresh air and little pollution, and it's pet-friendly, perfect for a road trip. So, our party of three plus our 16-month-old dog Echo set off grandly in our car toward Qingpu District!

Sun Island is located on the outskirts of Shanghai, near the ancient town of Zhujiajiao. According to legend, there were traces of human life on the island as far back as China's Western Zhou period, making it a place of deep history.

Driving / Public Transport Routes:

Driving from downtown Shanghai to Zhujiajiao Sun Island via the Shanghai–Chongqing Expressway takes about an hour, very convenient. If you're not driving, take Metro Line 17 to Zhujiajiao Town, then a taxi or bus from there.

Deluxe Family Room:

The check-in lobby at Sun Island is separate from the villa area. After completing the formalities, you can drive or take the island shuttle bus to your room. The villa area is spacious, with dense greenery, adjacent to the Mao River, and strolling through it gives you a sense of secluded winding paths.

We chose the Club Family Room right by the river. We were told it was 71 square meters before check-in, and upon arrival it was indeed very spacious.

The room's decor is all cartoon-themed, which kids love. Right at the entrance, there's a large board-game carpet (like a giant Snakes and Ladders), with several boxes of Lego, a children's tent, and cartoon dolls nearby. No wonder this Zhujiajiao family hotel has zero negative reviews.

The room is equipped with a capsule coffee machine and free soft drinks, plus a complimentary bottle of red wine from the hotel's sister brand. It felt like great value.

The room has a bunk-bed style design: a double bed plus a child's bed. The bathroom has a separate bathtub, kid-sized toothbrush and toothpaste, and a child's toilet seat – very thoughtful.

After unpacking, we headed straight to the pet park with Echo (our silly dog). Before we even arrived, we saw lots of other dog owners, and Echo was incredibly excited.

The pet park has both indoor and outdoor areas. Indoors, dogs can enjoy afternoon tea and play on climbing frames and in ball pits. Outdoors, there's a huge lawn for running free, plus a special dog pool with shallow and deep ends – 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 new skills. Echo stayed for an afternoon; the little guy is timid and kept barking, but the staff were very patient, giving him biscuits and yogurt – super nice.

For dinner on the first day, the family tried the small hot pot. One pot per person, with a set meal including vegetables, meat, fish, and shellfish, in a rich, slow-cooked pork bone broth. We heard the vegetables are organically grown on the island – they were crisp and fresh. Together with the meat and seafood, it was more than enough.

If you're still hungry, you can add a portion of staple food – unlimited servings!

The next day, we took the island shuttle bus to Mermaid Wharf, and from there we rode the Little Mermaid Train to the hotel lobby for breakfast. The train is blue and white, decorated with colourful paintings on both sides, full of childlike charm.

The train stops at three stations: Hotel Lobby, Mermaid Wharf, and Little Green Space. A ticket allows unlimited rides all day, so you can enjoy the island scenery along the way and feel completely relaxed.

Breakfast was in the hotel's buffet restaurant, and I must rave about it – it's among the best hotel breakfasts. Both Chinese and Western options, with a made-to-order noodle counter that's delicious, and a DIY soy milk yogurt that's exceptional. There were also Western choices like salads and bread. The family left very satisfied.

Fun & Entertainment:

Before coming, we heard that the equestrian club at Zhujiajiao Sun Island is quite famous. After breakfast on day two, we took our daughter for a pony ride. She was a bit scared of the big horses at first, but then the staff brought over a little pony for her to ride and she fell in love instantly. Before mounting, they put on protective gear, and a staff member led the horse the whole time, so it was very safe. Our little one had a blast. We saw many children at the riding arena (Shanghai Sun Island Equestrian Club) learning professional riding skills – very cool!

There are plenty of kid-friendly spots on the island. We chose to go to the Craftsmanship Hall first to do some handcrafts. There were instructors and tool kits, so you just follow along. We picked a polymer clay project and a leather bag project, and both were successfully completed!

By May, the weather was already quite warm, and Mermaid Wharf was bustling with people; water activities were a hot favourite. Our family of three rented a water bike – so pleasant and leisurely!

For lunch, we chose the Waterfall Western Restaurant on the ground floor of the lobby. After a big breakfast, none of us were very hungry.

We ordered the special kids' meal for our daughter, with child-friendly tableware, freshly made burger, and juice – all a hit. My husband and I tried the new 'Dirty Milk', a chilled dessert made with fresh milk and fruit, perfect for an early summer cool-down.

Well-fed and thoroughly entertained, we headed home.

Our time at Zhujiajiao Sun Island was delightful. Those slow-paced moments lifted our fatigue and calmed our minds. We hope to have the chance to come back again. In the afternoon, we happily arrived home, feeling completely relaxed!