Next to Disney, Shanghai’s Top Outdoor Choice for Family Fun: A Day at Jegoland Tuwo Wo Family Park

October in Shanghai is the most pleasant season of the year, with hints of autumn in the air, warm sunshine, and fresh air. It’s the perfect time for an outdoor adventure. Weekends are precious moments for kids and parents. Since we had our little one, we’ve explored nearly every amusement park in Shanghai, big and small. But one place stayed in my must-visit list, just waiting for a crisp autumn day to truly enjoy. So when their Halloween event came around, we picked a sun-drenched weekend to finally check out this large-scale outdoor family park—Jegoland Tuwo Wo Family Park.

Jegoland Tuwo Wo Family Park is a new, large-scale outdoor attraction that opened in Shanghai this year. The city has plenty of amusement parks, but a destination this big and so focused on family-friendly outdoor fun is rare. If you love the outdoors, I’d strongly suggest bringing a tent, wearing comfortable clothes, packing spare outfits for the kids, and bringing along some tasty snacks. You’ll easily fill a whole day here.

Jegoland Tuwo Wo Family Park sits inside the Lavender Park of the Shanghai International Resort, right next to Shanghai Disney and Yioulai. From Exit 3 of Disney Station on Metro Line 11, it’s only about a 400-meter walk. We chose to drive. Following the navigation to "Tuwo Wo Parking Lot" took us to a parking area inside Guangming Ecological Park. We arrived around 10 a.m. and parking spots were already filling up. The park opens at 9 a.m., and many families came early, loaded with picnic gear. Parking costs 10 yuan per hour.

**Discovery World: Pastel-Colored Castles**

From the parking lot it’s about a five-minute walk to the gate. We had bought tickets online in advance. If you love sunshine and picnics, or live nearby, I highly recommend getting an annual pass—you’ll get your money’s worth in just two visits.

First-time visitors can grab a park map at the visitor center to get an idea of the layout. But honestly, in Tuwo Wo, you don’t need a strategy or a fixed route. Just soak up the joy. Have your health QR code ready and enter!

Stepping inside, my eyes lit up. The park creates all kinds of dream worlds for children—bright colors, fresh and cute cartoon animal shapes. It feels like entering a miniature wonderland. Climb into a rainbow castle, perch on a giraffe’s neck, hop from one silly rabbit to another. It’s whimsical and full of fun.

The park is mainly divided into three zones: Rabbit Kingdom, Discovery World, and Creation Bay. Straight ahead from the main entrance is Discovery World, with a little castle that has a lovely name: Sky Castle. Climb to the very top and you’re that much closer to the sky.

Inside Discovery World, there are many attractions that are rare even in Shanghai or across China—super-long zip lines, multi-level tower play structures, and more. It’s a paradise for kids.

As soon as you enter, Halloween vibes are everywhere. The pumpkin display at the gate is a must for first-day photos with the little ones.

Discovery World includes four themed areas: Aviator, Cloud Street, Dreamcatcher, and Clever Corner. Because these areas demand more physical skill, they’re better suited for slightly older children. Climb up the castle, then whiz down a super-long slide, splash around, bounce on a giant trampoline—squeals and laughter ring non-stop.

Each of the four themed sections in Discovery World has its own charm. Sky Castle is the star. A huge castle that kids conquer through climbing routes; different paths all lead to the central tower. Here, they build confidence, coordination, and, most of all, courage.

After climbing up, brave little adventurers are rewarded with a thrilling slide down from the high castle. There’s a minimum height requirement—only children over 110 cm can go on it.

At the bottom of the slide, there’s a big sandpit. Kids play while parents look on. Childhood joy is simple: a patch of sand can occupy them all morning long.

Near the castle, a bunch of kids are bouncing away—that’s the Dreamcatcher zone. The trampoline area is huge, big enough for many children to jump around together.

While some areas have age restrictions, Clever Corner in Discovery World attracts children of all ages. It’s like a kid-sized water world, where they use their wits and hands to operate a mini hydraulic project. Of course, most just splash around; they don’t mind getting wet. That’s why parents should definitely pack an extra set or two of clothes.

Beside Discovery World lies a vast sea of lavender. I heard the park has nearly 20,000 square meters of lavender fields. It’s a pity we came past the blooming season. But Tuwo Wo always has surprises. Even without lavender, there are fields of verbena and a rose garden, painting the autumn with brilliant hues.

**Rabbit Kingdom: Playland of Instagram-Famous Bunnies**

Leaving Discovery World, right opposite is Rabbit Kingdom. Staff in Halloween costumes were handing out candy to entering children.

Just the name "Rabbit Kingdom" sounds adorable. This area is designed for younger kids, with slides, climbing structures—nothing is left out. Plus, there are swings, sandpits, climbing nets, pedal cars, zip lines, go-karts, and more, all packed into this zone.

As the largest of the three zones, it’s a kingdom of joy for little ones and their parents. Rabbit Kingdom has seven themed play areas, including Forgotten Corner, Bunny Castle, Happiness Street, and others.

The entrance features yet another Halloween photo spot. Kaikai couldn’t wait to run inside and play.

The most eye-catching part of Rabbit Kingdom is the Instagram-famous bunnies in the Bunny Castle area. Pastel-colored bunny castles with a fairytale feel stand over soft sand. Kids weave through the bunnies and slide down giant carrots—it’s heart-melting.

Besides the famous bunnies, each themed area has different little animals—giraffes, caterpillars—luring children into this colorful storybook world. Climbing up ropes and sliding down can easily fill half a day.

In Tuwo Wo, there’s no shortage of slides and sand. Almost every play area includes them, so even with many visitors, crowds are well spread out. It never feels too packed.

Beyond the climbing zones, the Arena is a great place for parent-child interaction. There are bicycles and bumper cars, both free. The bicycle queue splits into single and double rides—make sure you don’t line up wrong. We picked the double bike and waited about ten minutes.

The bumper cars had a longer queue, about 30 minutes. Arrive early in the morning and head there first; the line will be much shorter.

Right next to the bumper cars is the popular bubble pool, but this one costs 30 yuan per session. Raincoats are provided, but clothes still tend to get wet—just more proof that packing several changes of clothes for the kids is essential!

There are also excavators, go-karts, and other paid activities; pick based on your child’s interests.

Where do people gather most? The Enchanted Valley, the big lawn next to the Instagram bunnies. Families who brought tents start setting up their little camps as soon as they arrive.

Unlike an ordinary park, this big lawn isn’t just for picnicking. There are swings, Instagram-worthy needle-sculpture toys, and more. Parents can relax, bask in the warm sunshine, and still play with their kids right beside them.

By around 11 a.m., the broadcast announced that this lawn was too crowded with tents and suggested pitching them in Creation Bay instead. That area has an even larger lawn, right by the flower fields. But since it wasn’t flower season, many people overlooked it.

For lunch, you can bring your own. There’s no food ban. People like me, who arrived empty-handed, could eat at the Lawson or Dicos outside the park gate. Aside from the crowds, prices here were normal. The wristband allows multiple re-entries, which is very considerate. If you don’t want to go back and forth, you can eat at Bunny’s Home, the park’s dining area. It also has a small shop for buying kids’ snacks.

All in all, children can explore the secrets of dinosaur fossils, marvel at a magical musical fountain, step into a fairytale world, and share joyful moments with their parents. When tired, they can find their perfect bite on the lawn or at Bunny’s Home.

**Sunset Garden Party**

Every weekend or holiday, Tuwo Wo puts on various activities. This Halloween was no exception. Unlike the spooky vibes at other parks, there was no scary atmosphere—just cozy warmth. It felt more like a pumpkin festival inside an amusement park, full of adorable pumpkins and dreamy pumpkin carriages. No need to worry about frightening the kids.

In the afternoon, the big lawn hosted family participation games: monster tug-of-war, pumpkin cart races, pumpkin character sprints—one after another. Many Tuwo Wo activities require parents and children to work together. I love that; it means more quality time and lets us join in.

My child’s favorite was the lion face painting. In Discovery World, a face painter offered free designs for kids.

After getting painted as a little tiger, my kid roamed the park, driving a mini car with a new friend to discover a new world. Sometimes they’d happily dig and build their own fairy-tale castle in the sandpit. The adorable makeup was so cherished they didn’t want to wash it off even after we got home.

Later in the afternoon, a grand garden party unfolded on the big lawn. Ring toss, goldfish scooping—rows of open-air stalls dotted the grass, and every single one was a hit with the children.

As the amber dusk stretched gracefully across the sky, a stage show began. From a group interactive session with kids to a Halloween costume parade, the children had a blast and the parents watched with delight.

As night fell, the whole park remained wrapped in its storybook world. The secret of the dinosaur fossils still hid in a corner, waiting for children to uncover it. The beloved Instagram bunnies settled into the quiet that only nighttime brings.

Tuwo Wo normally closes at 5 p.m., but for the Halloween event, hours were extended until 8 p.m. That full, rewarding day was absolutely worth the ticket price.

I finally understand why so many people visit Jegoland Tuwo Wo Family Park time and again. Just like its name suggests, it’s not just an amusement park—it feels more like a little nest (home). Bring a tent and set up a small getaway. When the kids want to play, let them unleash their nature, explore to their hearts’ content, spark creativity and imagination, and build courage. When they’re tired, return to your own cozy nook and enjoy the simple happiness of family togetherness.