Outdoors in Shanghai

The city has a plethora of parks - from sedate gardens and wildlife enclosures to wild rides at thrilling theme parks, Xu Junqian reports.

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy some of Shanghai's outdoor attractions. And for those looking for a diversion from the long lines and hundreds of thousands of people at the Expo 2010 Shanghai, the city's water parks, amusement parks, botanical gardens, zoos and other parks are ideal attractions. Despite the heat, there are countless adventures waiting to be discovered in Shanghai. Here are some of the best.

1. Happy Valley

Happy Valley, built in 2009, is a new amusement park famous for its exciting and breathtaking facilities that integrate high-end technology. With more than 100 attractions scattered throughout seven different themed areas, the park is a wonderful destination for those looking for adventure. A trip to Happy Valley is not complete without a ride on the wooden roller coaster - it's said to be the most thrilling in town.

Address: 18 Linying Avenue, Songjiang District

Tel: 021-3355-2222

Opening hours: 9 am-6 pm

Ticket: 100-200 yuan

Transportation: Metro line 9

2. Dino Beach

As the only water park in the city, Dino Beach should be on the top of any summer to-do list. The water park is usually full of cheerful young people. The park has many water slides, but the two most-recommended attractions are the large wave pool, said to be the biggest in Asia, and a very relaxing flowing river that circles the entire park. Food and drinks can't be brought into the park, so be sure to bring extra money. Most importantly, don't forget to bring sunscreen. Visitors can also go at night, when there are shorter lines and no hot sun. Floating down the lazy river in an inner tube will be a soothing way to view a starry night.

Address: 78 Xinzhen Road, near Gudai Road

Tel: 021-6478-3333

Opening hours: 10 am-11 pm (summer only)

Ticket: 100-150 yuan (weekdays), 150-200 yuan (weekends)

Transportation: Metro line 1

3. Jinjiang Action Park

Jinjiang Action Park is an older, yet still exciting, park to visit. With classic rides like bumper cars, a two-story merry-go-round and a massive Ferris wheel - where riders can marvel at panoramic views of the Western part of the city - visitors will enjoy a variety of attractions. And for the adventure seeker, there are many thrill rides, including the Mega Drop, Pirate Boat and a steel roller coaster. Whether it's a ride on a high-energy roller coaster or a calming ride on the merry-go-round, Jinjiang Action Park is a perfect place for everyone.

Address: 201 Hongmei Road (near Meilong Road)

Tel: 021-5421-6858

Opening hours: 8:45 am-5 pm (until 10 pm in summer)

Ticket: 80 yuan

Transportation: Metro line 1

4. Shanghai Wild Animal Park

Shanghai Wild Animal Park, 35 kilometers from the city center, spans more than 1.5 square kilometers and has a collection of more than 200 animal species, making it the biggest wild animal park in China. Visitors looking to see wild animals like tigers, lions and leopards, can take a minibus into special zones. Here, visitors can view these animals in a more natural environment. Bears, monkeys and other animals in other zones are friendly and animated, and animals perform regularly at the large stadium in the center of the park.

Address: 178 Nanliu Highway

Tel: 021-6118-0000

Opening hours: 8 am-5 pm

Ticket: 120 yuan

Transportation: Metro line 2, No 2 Travel Bus (weekend only)

5. Shanghai Ocean Aquarium

The Shanghai Ocean Aquarium is one of the most popular tourist attractions for families. The aquarium is extremely crowded on weekends and holidays. With 10,000 kinds of fish and sea creatures, including cute penguins, beautiful jellyfish and exotic corals, visitors will have a memorable experience. There is also a 155-meter-long "undersea tunnel", where visitors can have an up-close look at marine life swimming above, along with shuttling sharks.

Address: 1388 Lujiazui Ring Road

Tel: 021-5877-9988

Opening hours: 9 am-6 pm

Ticket: 135 yuan for adults, 90 yuan for children between 1-meter and 1.4-meters tall

Transportation: Metro line 2

6. Shanghai Botanical Garden

For a perfect outing on a clear day, consider taking a stroll through the Shanghai Botanical Garden. There are a dozens of gardens inside, categorized according to different kinds of plants. These include a bamboo garden, rose garden and peony garden. Greenhouses of various styles and sizes are also worth a visit. This time of year, the sago cycas in the park are said to be blooming. The sago cycas have become a popular attraction because according to a Chinese proverb they are said to bloom only once every 1,000 years.

Address: 1111 Longwu Road

Tel: 021-6451-3369

Opening hours: 8:30 am-5 pm

Ticket: 15-40 yuan

Transportation: Metro line 3, Bus No 56, 714

7. Shanghai Zoo

The Shanghai Zoo, located in the western part of the city, is a more traditional zoo and tickets are cheap. There are more than 600 kinds of animals, including those that can only be seen in China, like pandas and tigers from south China. Animal performances are scheduled throughout the day and children can even interact with some of the animals by feeding them.

Address: 2381 Hongqiao Road

Tel: 021-6268-7775

Opening hours: 6:30 am-5:30 pm

Ticket: 40 yuan

Transportation: Bus No 48, 941, 925

8. Gongqing Forest Park

The Gongqing Forest Park, transformed from a nursery, is nicknamed the Oxygen Bar by Shanghai locals because it's home to more than 300,000 trees. The park is a popular destination for barbecues and recreational activities. Visitors can bring their own food, borrow stoves and utensils from the office in the park and cook a big meal in the special barbecue area. The park also has a large lawn where visitors can fly kites or simply lie in the sun.

Address: 2000 Jungong Road

Tel: 021-6574-0586

Opening hour: 8 am-5 pm

Ticket: 15 yuan

Transportation: Bus No 966, 866