A Perfect Island for a Self-Guided Trip: 2 Days and 1 Night at Shanghai Sun Island
For office workers, nothing beats getting away with the family on a weekend to enjoy the views and relax. So today I’m going to share a perfect weekend escape just outside Shanghai that’s ideal for the whole family – Shanghai Sun Island.
In a world of poor air quality, a place like this is a true breath of fresh air. Shanghai Sun Island Resort basks in the sunshine, cosy and inviting, with an exotic feel. Lots of office workers head here for weekend breaks, so it’s best to book your room in advance.
Sun Island lies near Shanghai – close to Zhujiajiao Ancient Town. Legend has it that people lived on the island as far back as the Western Zhou Dynasty, making it a place of deep history. We visited in May, when the island was lush with greenery, willows swaying, and fragrant grass carpeting the ground – it truly felt like a hidden paradise lost in spring blooms.
Self-drive / Public transport:
We drove from downtown Shanghai to Sun Island via the Huyu Expressway, which took about an hour and was very convenient. If you’re not driving, you can take Metro Line 17 to Zhujiajiao, then grab a taxi or a bus from there.
Our favourite family room:
The check-in lobby and the villa area at Shanghai Sun Island Resort are separate. After completing the formalities, you can drive yourself or take the island shuttle bus to your room. The villa area is large, thick with vegetation, and borders the Mao River. Strolling through it felt like wandering along a winding path into a quiet, hidden world.
We chose a Club family room right by the river. Before arrival, we’d been told the room was 71m², and indeed it felt wonderfully spacious. The decor featured cartoon themes our little one loves. Right at the entrance, a huge aeroplane chess carpet caught our eye, and beside it were boxes of Lego, a children’s tent and cartoon plush toys. No wonder this Shanghai family hotel gets zero negative reviews.
The room came with a capsule coffee machine and complimentary soft drinks, plus a bottle of red wine from a sister brand of the hotel – excellent value. The bed setup was a double bed plus a child’s bed. In the bathroom, there was a separate bathtub, a child’s toothbrush and toothpaste, and a child’s toilet seat – very thoughtful.
After dropping off our bags, we called the island shuttle to take us to Mermaid Pier. On our way in, our daughter had spotted the Little Mermaid Train and was clamouring for a ride. The Pet Paradise is also at Mermaid Pier.
Before we even arrived, we saw families with dogs everywhere, and our little one was beside herself with excitement. The Pet Paradise has both indoor and outdoor areas. Indoors, dogs can have afternoon tea and play on a climbing frame and in a ball pit; outdoors, there’s a huge lawn for them to run free and even a professional shallow-to-deep dog pool for a dip.
It’s worth mentioning that Shanghai Sun Island Resort offers pet boarding and training services, with professional dog trainers who can help correct bad habits and teach new skills. We left our little pup there for an afternoon. He’s a timid one and kept barking, but the staff were incredibly patient, giving him biscuits and yoghurt – super nice.
After the pet paradise, we took our daughter on the Little Mermaid Train. The train is blue and white with colourful paintings along the sides, full of childlike charm. It stops at three stations along the route – the hotel lobby, Mermaid Pier and Little Greenland. You can ride all day with a single ticket, enjoying the island views and feeling utterly relaxed.
Fun & Entertainment:
We’d heard that the equestrian club at Shanghai Sun Island is quite famous, so after breakfast the next day, we took our daughter to ride a horse. At first, she was a bit scared of the big horses, but then the staff brought out a small pony for her, and she fell in love instantly. Before mounting, she put on protective gear, and the staff led the pony the whole time – completely safe. Our little one had a blast. At the equestrian club, we saw lots of kids taking formal riding lessons and looking really cool.
There are plenty of places on the island for children to play. We chose to go to the Artisan Studio to do some crafts. There were instructors and toolkits provided, so all we had to do was follow along. We made a polymer clay piece and a leather bag – both were completed successfully!
By May, the weather was getting quite warm, and Mermaid Pier was buzzing with people. Water activities were the hottest thing. Our family of three rented a water bike – so relaxing and carefree.
For dinner on the first day, we tried hot pot – individual pots for each person, with a set that included vegetables, meat, fish and shellfish, all in a rich pork bone broth. We heard the vegetables are organically grown right on the island – they were wonderfully crisp and fresh. With the meat and seafood, it was more than enough. If you’re still hungry, you can add a staple dish – no limit!
Breakfast the next day was at the hotel’s buffet restaurant. I have to give it high praise – it’s truly top-notch for a hotel, with both Chinese and Western options. The made-to-order noodle counter was especially good, and the DIY soy milk and yoghurt were amazing. If you wanted Western food, there were salads, bread and the like. The whole family left feeling very satisfied.
For lunch, we picked the Waterfall Western Restaurant on the ground floor of the lobby. After such a big breakfast, none of us were very hungry. We ordered the special kids’ meal for our daughter – it came with child-friendly tableware, a freshly made burger and juice, which she loved. My husband and I tried the new ‘dirty milk’ – a cold dessert made with fresh milk and fruit. On an early summer day, an ice-cold glass of it was just perfect.
Shanghai Sun Island Resort is a brilliant weekend escape for the whole family. There are amusements for little ones, experiences for young adults, health-conscious meals for the elderly, and a pet paradise for your fur babies. Everyone can find their own perfect way to unwind on Sun Island.
