The experiences you gain when traveling are unforgettable and often a formative experience for children. Families in Shanghai are blessed with having many incredible destinations right at their fingertips and the opportunity to share these wonders with their children. We asked families around Asia to tell us their most treasured memories and favorite family-friendly destinations. Read on for some fun stories and insider tips!
This past February my family and I visited Galle, Sri Lanka. We chose Sri Lanka because we wanted to invite two other families to join us on our Chinese New Year holiday at a destination in Asia. It is a four-hour flight from Hong Kong, or six if you fly directly from Shanghai.
We stayed at Elysium, a magnificent private villa located right by the Indian Ocean. Sitting on the beachfront, it is perfect for a family or two to enjoy a unique and luxurious holiday. With four private bedrooms, a gym, private pool and a two-story main house, it is a dream of Asian hospitality. Besides walking along the beach, kids and families can enjoy the swimming pool or play pool inside the villa.
We went out to Galle Fort, which is just a 30-minute tuk-tuk ride away, or in our case a private van. You can walk along the fort, watch snake charmers and visit many kid-friendly shops. Beautiful cloth items, paintings, ornate frames and crafts adorn the small stores. We rented a catamaran with captain and crew and went whale watching one morning – a great experience for the kids!
The family had a real thrill when we took a private sea plane from Colombo airport to the lake just next to our hotel. It was a 30-minute flight over the lush jungles of Sri Lanka and is an activity not to be missed. The adults in our group toured a tea plantation and that was also a lot of fun. We did a private tour, but I am sure you can do it yourself.
At no time were we concerned for safety of the kids or ourselves. If you have traveled in Asia, it is no different than Bali, Thailand or the Philippines. The Sri Lankan people are polite and very friendly.
I would highly suggest visiting Sri Lanka; it’s the perfect place for a trip with the family!
Insider tip: Get your visa online
Best age group: Age 8 to teenagers
Best way to get around: Tuk-tuk or private car
Travel time from Shanghai: 4 hours
Suggested minimum stay: 5 days
Read more Family-Friendly Travel Destinations here.
