As the temperature cools down, it’s time to hit the parks again. Whether you’re after a day out or a leisurely evening stroll, keep this guide to the best family-friendly urban sanctuaries.
Century Park
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Endless areas of green make Century Park the ideal place to go for a picnic or a wander through the tree-lined pathways. Boating is a fun alternative to walking and is priced at a reasonable RMB80 per hour (with RMB100 deposit). Don’t forget to make the most of the RMB10 entry and pay the butterfly garden a visit before the day ends.
Pet-friendly: No
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Changfeng Park
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Changfeng Park will be a sure hit with the kids. With boating on the lake, go-karting and a huge man-made hill, it's also home to the Ocean World Aquarium. Pack a picnic basket, relax in the shaded areas, fly a kite or join the badminton games; there is enough to keep the family occupied for an afternoon. Entry is free of charge, but selected facilities may incur a fee.
Pet-friendly: No
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Fuxing Park
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Fuxing Park is centrally located in the former French Concession and comes with a maze of ivy-covered archways. Kids will love the wide-open space in Xintiandi. Perfect for letting them run wild after a spot of shopping.
Pet-friendly: No
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Gongqing Forest Park
Image by Mandy Tie/Urban Family
With sunnier weather ahead, there are a few things better than visiting Gongqing Forest Park with family and friends in the Yangpu district. As the second largest public park in Shanghai it boasts more than 100 acres of green space, an intricate network of waterways and abundant recreational activities, perfect for a day out.
Pet-friendly: No
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Luxun Park
Image by Mandy Tie/Urban Family
Named after the renowned modern Chinese author and home to his mausoleum, Luxun Park is one of the oldest and liveliest parks in the city. Garden complexes with white plastered walls and black roofs, lotus ponds and willow trees are some of its most photogenic features. Kids love standing on the arched stone bridges to watch the boats float on the shimmering lake, or even better, going for a paddle themselves.
Pet-friendly: No
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Shanghai Botanical Gardens
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There are few better ways to celebrate the arrival of spring than paying the Botanical Gardens a visit. The Shanghai Botanical Gardens in the south of Xuhui are the blooming ground of cherry and peach blossoms this season. Kids will love the amusement zone and don't forget to keep an eye out for the fish and waterbirds inhabiting the garden’s brooks and ponds.
Pet-friendly: No
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Xiangyang Park
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Located off the commercial Huaihai Lu and flanked by family-friendly eateries like Beef & Liberty and Moka Bros, Xiangyang Park is open 24/7 and is considered a haven for parents to rest and observe public pastimes, while their children use the play equipment and exert their boundless energy.
Pet-friendly: Yes
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Xujiahui Park
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Perhaps one of the most scenic contenders, Xujiahui Park’s picturesque gardens and winding waterways renders it a true urban sanctuary like no other. Open 24/7, this park is appreciated by joggers, basketballers and dog-walkers alike, as well as fatigued shoppers to rest a while. If you’re lucky, the corner near Wanping Lu serves as an occasional playground for public square dancers and casual kongzhu (Chinese diabolo) masters.
Pet-friendly: No
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Zhongshan Park
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A bicycle ‘sky rail’ over lotus ponds makes Zhongshan Park a family favorite. Kids can jump on one of the amusement rides and join in with kite flyers to make the most of the extensive green space. There are various gardens and waterfronts to stage a Sunday picnic like that in Georges Seurat’s painting.
Pet-friendly: Yes
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[Cover image by Mandy Tie/Urban Family]
