Family-Friendly Resort Near Shanghai – Shanghai Sun Island Resort
Now I have time to reflect on this getaway. Sigh, why do happy times pass so quickly? I promised my daughter a spring outing ages ago, and we finally made it happen in May. When choosing a destination, I thought long and hard and eventually settled on Sun Island Resort near Zhujiajiao Ancient Town. First, it's a family-friendly hotel perfect for a trio. Second, it's rare to find a hotel that welcomes pets. Third, Sun Island is the closest family resort to downtown Shanghai. So off we went—three of us plus our 16-month-old dog Coco, piling into the car and heading grandly toward Qingpu District!
Sun Island lies on the outskirts of Shanghai, near Zhujiajiao Ancient Town. Originally called Mao Island, traces of human life here date back to China's Western Zhou Dynasty. The island is encircled by the Mao River, Taipu River, Dianshan Lake, the Huangpu River, and connects with the Taihu Lake basin, making it an important landmark for boats traveling these three waterways. In May, the island is lush and green, with swaying willows and fragrant grass everywhere—truly a slice of paradise.
Self-drive/Public Transport: We drove from downtown Shanghai to Sun Island via the Huyu Expressway, about an hour's journey—super convenient. If you're not driving, take Metro Line 17 to Zhujiajiao and then a taxi or bus.
At the entrance, there's a large sculpture I adore. Its style is a bit Van Gogh-meets-Fauvism, and if you look closely, it's a mermaid. Haha, just appreciate it as art. Otherwise, it definitely diverges from modern beauty standards!
Beloved Family Room: The check-in lobby at Sun Island is separate from the villa area. After formalities, you can drive or take the shuttle bus to your room. The villa area is vast, with dense vegetation right by the Mao River—walking through it feels like a winding, secluded path.
We opted for a club family room right beside the river. We were told it's 71 square meters, and it was indeed very spacious. The decor has a cartoon theme that kids love. Right when you enter, there's a large board game rug with an airplane chess pattern, plus several boxes of Lego bricks, a children's tent, and dolls. No wonder it's a zero-complaint family hotel in Shanghai.
The room came with a capsule coffee machine, free soft drinks, and a complimentary bottle of red wine from a sister brand—felt like a steal. It had a bunk-bed setup: a double bed plus a child's bed. The bathroom boasted a separate bathtub, children's toothbrush and toothpaste, and a kid-sized toilet seat—very thoughtful.
After dropping our bags, we rushed Coco (our silly dog) straight to the pet paradise. Even before arriving, we spotted other parents with their dogs, and Coco was beside himself with excitement. The pet paradise has indoor and outdoor sections. Indoors, dogs can enjoy afternoon tea, play on climbing frames, and dive into a ball pit. Outdoors, there's a huge lawn for running free and a professional pet pool with shallow and deep ends!
It's worth noting that Sun Island offers pet boarding and training with professional trainers who can help correct bad habits and teach skills. Coco was boarded for an afternoon; the little guy is timid and kept barking, but the staff were incredibly patient and even gave him biscuits and yogurt—super nice.
Mermaid Mini Train: After leaving the pet paradise, I took my daughter to ride the mermaid-themed mini train. The blue-and-white train is painted with colorful, childlike art on both sides. It makes three stops: the hotel lobby, Mermaid Pier, and Little Green Park. A ticket lets you ride all day, soaking in the island scenery and lifting your spirits.
For dinner on the first day, the family tried the mini hotpot—one pot per person. The set came with vegetables, meat, fish, and shellfish in a thick, rich pork bone broth. The vegetables are supposedly organic and grown on the island—crisp and fresh. With the meat and seafood, it was more than enough. If still hungry, you can add an unlimited portion of rice or noodles.
Breakfast on day two was at the hotel's buffet restaurant. I have to rave about it—it's among the highest quality I've seen in a hotel. Chinese and Western options both shined. The made-to-order noodle station was delicious, and the DIY soy milk yogurt was a standout. For Western tastes, there were salads and bread too. The whole family left satisfied.
Play & Entertainment: I'd heard the equestrian club at Shanghai Sun Island is famous, so after breakfast on the second day, I took my daughter for a ride. She was a bit frightened of the big horses at first, but then a staff member brought over a small pony and she fell in love. Before mounting, she was fitted with protective gear, and a staff member led the pony the whole time—no danger at all. She had a blast. Over at the equestrian center (Shanghai Sun Island Equestrian Club), many children were learning professional riding—so cool!
There are plenty of kid-friendly spots on the island. We headed to the Artisan Workshop to make crafts, with an instructor and tool kits; you just follow along. We chose a soft clay project and a leather bag—both completed successfully!
By May, the weather was already quite warm, and Mermaid Pier was packed. Water activities were the hot ticket. Our family of three rented a water bicycle—so relaxing and breezy.
For lunch, we went to the Waterfall Western Restaurant on the first floor of the main building. After a big breakfast, none of us were very hungry. I ordered the special kids' meal for my daughter, with child-friendly utensils, freshly made burgers, and juice that was a hit. My husband and I tried the new "dirty milk"—a dessert made fresh with milk and fruit. On an early summer day, an icy glass was just perfect.
All in all, Shanghai Sun Island Resort is a wonderful place to unwind and escape the noise. In an environment where city air quality is often poor, having such a pristine patch of land is truly rare. Aside from a few areas that could use improvement, everything else was great. Many office workers flock here for weekend breaks, so be sure to book your room in advance.
