With almost 60kms between downtown Shanghai and Sun Island, this area is well out of the smog zone and is perfect for a little retreat from the fast-paced city life. Afloat on the Maohe river, the island is an attractive retreat for both residents and tourists and is a self-contained power house of leisure activities for people of all ages and types.
Sun Island is in the southwest of Shanghai, in the Qingpu district. It is connected with the mainland through one bridge that dedicated shuttle buses carry tourists through after paying for their respective entry tickets. It is possible to have the resort’s management arrange a pick up from traveler’s hotel or airport in Shanghai to the resort. This is a fuss free but pricey option. Alternatively, tourists can catch the special subway line 17 which begins from Hongqiao Railway station (connected to the main metro grid via lines 2 and 10) to Zhujiajiao station. From there, local buses from Zhujiajiao ancient town bus stop can be found headed for Sun Island on a daily basis. This takes a lot longer (almost 2 hours) but is much more cost effective then private car. The entrance to the resort is RMB30 generally and half off for kids. Most activities are available in fair weather and close-up during winters and low-tourism season.
Accommodations on the resort are villas with beds, baths, lounges and kitchens arranged in the style of a village. It gets most of its guests during the warmer months. In the winters, the place can get quite deserted though the staff are always friendly and helpful with at least a few people who speak fluent English. The natural hot springs health care center is another big draw which combines spa treatments from the pages of Chinese medicinal philosophy with nutrition and health regimes which invigorate both body and minds of guests.
The swimming pool, a wave beach and the gym are just some of the services that guests of the resort can enjoy without extra charge. There are a great variety of activities specifically arranged to keep kids entertained like a well-kept playground, water park, tandem bikes and even a creativity center inside for the rainy days. Plenty of other sports and activities are available around the island for an hourly or daily charge. For the sportier types, there is the option of bowling, horse riding, cycling, go carting and golfing. The 18-hole golf courses (two on the island) are no joke either. Designed by a reputed international firm, it features sand pits and water traps to give a challenging session worthy of a professional game. A lazy afternoon on the Maohe river on a speed boat (or even a yacht!) can be a unique experience affording magnificent views of rural land for miles.
Cuisine on the island is mostly Chinese with a few western options; everything top quality though. Visitors may choose to buy fresh-from-the-farm vegetables and ingredients and make their own hotpot or barbeque at their leisure.