A Poem of Wind and Wood: My Leisurely Days on Sun Island
Our family plans trips with the kids every year, and this year is no exception. The meaning of travel lies in feeling, experiencing, and discovering. Now, I'm no longer alone; accompanying me to see the world is another pair of tiny eyes. A spring outing promised to my daughter for a long time finally came true in May. When choosing a destination, I deliberated for a long time and finally opted for the suburban Shanghai Sun Island Resort Hotel. Firstly, it's a family-friendly hotel perfect for a family of three, and secondly, a hotel that allows pets is truly rare. So, our trio, along with our 16-month-old dog, piled into the car and headed for Qingpu District in high spirits!
Sun Island is located on the outskirts of Shanghai, near Zhujiajiao Ancient Town. Shaped like a shuttle, the island is caressed by rivers flowing endlessly, as if weaving the fabric of history and crystallizing civilization. In May, the island is lush with vegetation, green willows, and fragrant grass everywhere, evoking a sense of floral beauty in April and an otherworldly paradise.
Driving/Public Transport Route:
Take the Huqing Expressway (Shanghai-Qingpu), exit at Zhujiajiao, turn left onto Zhufeng Highway, go ahead and turn left onto Shenzhuan Highway, then go ahead and turn right onto Shentai Highway. Drive about 5 km forward to reach Sun Island Resort Hotel.
The check-in lobby and villa area on Sun Island are separate. After completing the formalities, you can drive or take the island shuttle bus to your room. The villa area is large, with lush vegetation, adjacent to Mao River. Walking there evokes a feeling of winding paths leading to secluded beauty.
We chose a club family room next to the river. Before check-in, we were told this room type is 71㎡, and upon arrival, it indeed felt very spacious. The soft furnishings all feature cartoon themes that our little one loves. Straight ahead, there’s a large flight chess carpet, and beside it, several boxes of LEGO bricks, a children's tent, and cartoon dolls. No wonder it's a zero-negative-review Shanghai family hotel.
The room is equipped with a capsule coffee machine and complimentary soft drinks, plus a bottle of red wine from a sister brand of the hotel, which feels like great value. The room has a bunk bed design with a double bed and a child's bed. The bathroom has a separate bathtub, children's toothbrush and toothpaste, and a child's toilet seat—very thoughtful.
I had heard that the equestrian club at Shanghai Sun Island Resort Hotel is quite famous, so after breakfast the next day, I took my daughter to ride a horse. At first, my daughter was a bit scared of the big horse, but then the staff brought a small pony for her to ride, and she instantly fell in love. Before mounting, she put on protective gear, and the staff led the horse the whole time, so there was no danger. She had a great time. At the horse farm (Shanghai Sun Island Equestrian Club), many children were learning professional riding—very impressive!
There are many places on the island suitable for children to play. We chose to go to the Artisan Hall first to do some handicrafts. An instructor and tool kits were provided; you just need to follow along. We chose a polymer clay project and a leather bag project, and both were successfully completed!
In May, the weather was already quite hot, and the Mermaid Pier was crowded with people; water activities became very popular. Our family of three rented a water bike and enjoyed a leisurely and pleasant time.
For dinner on the first day, we tried the small hot pot. Each person had their own pot, and the set meal included vegetables, meat, fish, and shellfish. The pork bone broth was rich and thick. I heard the vegetables are organically grown on the island; they tasted crisp and fresh. With meat and seafood, it was plenty. If you’re not full, you can add a staple dish, no limit!
Breakfast on the second day was at the hotel’s buffet restaurant. I have to rave about it—it’s really high quality for a hotel. Both Chinese and Western options were available. The freshly made noodles from the open station were delicious, and the DIY soy milk yogurt was a standout. For Western tastes, there were salads and breads. The whole family ate happily.
For lunch, we chose the Waterfall Western Restaurant on the first floor near the lobby. Still full from breakfast, the three of us weren’t very hungry. We ordered the special kids’ meal for our daughter—child-friendly utensils, freshly made burger and juice that were a hit. My husband and I tried the new “dirty milk,” a dessert made with fresh milk and fruit, perfectly icy and refreshing for early summer.
After dropping off our luggage, we took Choppa (our silly dog) straight to the pet park. Even before we arrived, we saw many other dog owners with their pets, and Choppa was super excited. The pet park has both indoor and outdoor areas. Indoors, dogs can enjoy afternoon tea, play on climbing frames and in a ball pit. Outdoors, there’s a huge open lawn for running free, plus a professional shallow and deep swimming pool for dogs to swim in.
Notably, Shanghai Sun Island Resort Hotel offers pet boarding and training services, with professional dog trainers who can help correct bad habits and teach new skills. Choppa spent an afternoon here boarding. The little guy is timid and kept barking, but the staff were very patient, even giving him biscuits and yogurt—super nice.
The Mermaid Mini Train:
The mini train is blue and white, decorated with colorful paintings on both sides, full of childlike charm. It stops at three stations along the route: the hotel lobby, Mermaid Pier, and Little Green Space. A ticket allows unlimited rides all day, offering views of the island's scenery and a cheerful mood.
My child learned what she was meant to learn, and my original purpose for the trip was fulfilled. Although we couldn’t book the lakeside outdoor barbecue, I’m still very satisfied with this trip to Sun Island. Imperfect beauty—perfection within imperfection!
