Shanghai has a lot to offer your kids when they get tired of being dragged to another classical garden, one more Chinese meal or another shopping market. If you're bringing your kids to China, then it's easy to make Shanghai about them. Between watching the kites fly in Century Park to checking out the Pandas at the Shanghai Zoo, you'll be able to entertain your kids for an afternoon or two, and probably be able to bribe them into coming with you to one more Buddhist temple while you're at it.
1. Shanghai Zoo
- Description: typical animal zoo plus ferris wheel and other amusement activities
- Address: 2381 Hong Qiao Road, near Hami Road
- Opening hours: daily Nov-Feb 7am-4:30pm, Mar & Oct 7am-5pm, Apr-Sept 6:30am-5pm
- Admission: 30rmb, free for children under 1.2m (4 ft.)
- Getting there: no metro stops
- Comments: my family loves the zoo. You will not be horrified by the treatment of the animals in this zoo - unlike other zoos in Asia and China (and what you've heard). They've spent some money upgrading and many of the animals are in decent enclosures. Sure, it could be better but, for a Chinese zoo, it's not bad. Your kids will enjoy it.
2. Shanghai Ocean Aquarium
- Description: Asia's largest aquarium.
- Address: Yincheng Bei Road 158, near Oriental Pearl Tower, Pudong
- Opening hours: daily 9am-8:30pm
- Admission: 110rmb adults, 65rmb seniors over 70, 70rmb children under 1.4m (55 in.), free for children under 80cm (32 in.)
- Getting there: metro stop Lujiazui
- Comments: this aquarium is a wonderful experience for kids, especially the walk-through glass observation tunnel where kids can see massive fish and sharks swim overhead. Try not to be offended at the special shark exhibit where the video shows you how shark's fin soup is made.
3. The Shanghai Natural Wild Insect Kingdom
- Description; "zoo" for all things creepy and crawly
- Address: 1 Fenghe Road, around corner from the Oriental Pearl Tower, Pudong
- Opening hours: daily 9am-5pm
- Admission: 35rmb adults, 20rmb children, kids under 80cm (32in) free
- Getting there: no metro stops
- Comments: first floor has a fun open area with fish to feed and snakes to watch. Go downstairs for your fill of turtles and lizards as well as a fishing area where kids rent a net and catch goldfish.
4. Shanghai Science and Technology Museum
- Description: interactive museum with many activities to engage the kids
- Address: Century Avenue (Shiji Da Dao) 2000, Pudong (north side Century Park)
- Opening hours: daily 9am-5:30pm (last ticket sold at 3:30pm)
- Admission: 60rmb adults, 45rmb high-school students, 20rmb children under 1.2m (4 ft.)
- Getting there: metro stop Shanghai Kejiguan
- Comments: very large facility suitable for younger and older kids. Great smaller kids' play area with toddler size construction site. Also check out their 3D and IMAX movies.
5. Shanghai Railway Museum
- Description: tiny museum dedicated to the history of Shanghai's railway
- Address: 200 East Tianmu Road
- Opening hours: Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 9am-11:30am, 1:45pm-4:30pm, Saturday: 9am-4pm
- Admission: 10rmb
- Getting there: metro stop Baoshan Road
- Comments: if your kid is a real Thomas the Train fan, then a stop here may be needed. This very small museum is fun for real train addicts: with a 1920s era train outside and a simulated ride from Shanghai to Suzhou inside.
6. Aquaria 21
- Description: Large underwater aquarium
- Address: Located at Gate 4, Chang Feng Park, 451 Da Du He Road, near Ji Sha Jiang Road
- Opening hours:: daily 9am-5pm
- Admission: 80rmb adults, 60rmb children 1-1.4m (39-55 in.), free for children under 1m (39 in.)
- Getting there: No metro stops
- Comments: This aquarium has a touch & feel pool where kids can pick up urchins and pet friendly starfish.
7. Century Park (Shiji Gongyuan)
- Description: Shanghai's largest park
- Location: Pudong
- Opening hours: early morning until sundown
- Admission: free
- Getting there: metro stop Shiji Gongyuan
- Comments: Fly kites, rent family buggies to bike around, stroll around the park and marvel at the skyscrapers that border it.
8. Fuxing Park (Fuxing Gongyuan)
- Description: lovely small park in the old French Concession area
- Address: Fuxing Road at Chong Qing Road
- Opening hours: early morning until sundown
- Admission: free
- Getting there: no metro
- Comments: as with most Chinese parks, there is a section just for kids with amusement activities such as bumper cars, air castle, paddle boats, etc. It's fun to wander around the park watching locals enjoying themselves on a nice day. Parents can enjoy a latte at one of the cafes on the park's edge.
9. Jin Jiang Amusement Park
- Description: large children's playground and amusement park
- Address: 201 Hong Mei Lu
- Opening hours: daily 8am-9pm summer, 8am-5pm winter
- Admission: 60rmb, includes 8 rides
- Getting there: no metro stops
- Comments: ride choices include carousels, roller coasters, log rides and bumper cars among many.
10. Shanghai Wild Animal Park (Shanghai Yesheng Dongwuyuan)
- Description: drive-through "safari" wildlife park with ability to purchase live prey to feed animals
- Address: Nan Hui San Zao Zhen, Pudong (near Pudong International Airport)
- Opening hours: daily 8am-5pm
- Admission: 80rmb, 40rmb for kids under 1.2m (4 ft)
- Getting there: no metro stops
- Comments: visitors take buses through the park. Children who may not be able to handle the sight of live chickens being tossed to hungry tigers may prefer the Shanghai Zoo (see next entry).
