If exploring a new park space in Shanghai to enjoy the great outdoors is what you are after, then look no further than Jihuabi Children’s Playground. With its well-designed equipment and family-friendly facilities, this new children’s wonderland is perfect for a family day out.
Let’s take a look at the playground and its surrounding area.
Jihuabi Children's Playground
The Location
‘Jihuabi,’ translates to ‘Rainbow Beauty Wall,’ and this new development is just one element of the larger ‘Pudong left bank’ project. Led by French architect Agence TER, this four-year endeavor will see some 21 kilometers of the Huangpu river bank revamped from its swampland past. If all goes to plan, this long strip of public space that connects major landmarks like Minsheng Art Wharf, Lujiazui and the Expo Center, will be fully fitted with recreational facilities by 2019.
The Playground
Jihuabi Children’s Playground is an excellent example of this ambitious plan steadily taking shape. You can expect to see the usual playground components here, along with obstacle structures, climbing ropes and a 7-meter slide for little thrill seekers. To ensure safety while playing, the colorful floor and wall surfaces are covered with a rubber finish, so any falls will be met with a soft bounce.
The slide with a 7-meter drop.
Pinwheels and obstacles are just some of the fun details at Jihuabi Children's Playground
If you take the elevated walkway to the top of the slope, you will find a hut furnished with lightwood and floor-to-ceiling glass windows. This is one of the Pudong riverside’s ‘service pavilions.’ Each pavilion is fitted with restrooms, a water tap, beverage vending machines, an AED, first aid kits, umbrellas and lockers, along with WiFi access, electrical outlets, cafe tables and chairs.
Sunbeds and service pavilions like these are common sights.
Family toilets and tap water fountains inside the service pavilions.
Further Afield
While the playground remains a design highlight, we encourage you to explore the additional recreational features where you will find sandpits, mini castles with slides, skate ramps and climbing structures spread out along the waterfront.
More climbing structures inside the park.
Runners and cyclists will also be delighted by the new jogging tracks and bike lanes that extend to the tourist hub of Lujiazui and beyond. In addition, you can rest, and refill your water bottles at the service pavilions, which are evenly located 1-kilometer apart throughout the park.
Verdict
Although Jihuabi Children's Playground is pleasantly located out of reach from major commercial quarters, it can become crowded on weekends and weekday afternoons. Also make note that there are no mainstream supermarkets or restaurants in the vicinity, so pre-pack your snacks and picnic baskets to keep the family sustained throughout your visit.
How to Get There
For those relying on public transport, take Metro Line 6, 8 or 11 to the Oriental Sports Center (Exit 4, 5, or 6). Proceed eastward down Yaoti Lu to enter the riverside park. Walk south along the river for another 10 minutes to find the playground.
[All images by Mandy Tie/Urban Family]
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