Shanghai Wild Insect Kingdom, a paradise for kids

If you travel to Shanghai, you certainly don't want to miss the most popular places the city has to offer like the Bund or Yu Gardens. But on the other hand, if you are with kids they might get bored of too much sightseeing after a while. For a little break in between the Wild Insect Kingdom is a great place for everyone who are interested in nature and animals.

There are not only insects but also a large number of reptiles, amphibians and fish as well as other animals you actually wouldn't expect in an insect museum. This might come as a surprise to parents but for kids it offers just more exciting things to see. The first animals you see when you walk inside are not insects. Three ferrets and a seal in a very small tank welcome you at the entrance before you get to the 'rainforest'. While walking across bridges you'll pass an alligator and chameleons and you can feed the huge koi fish swimming in the water underneath. The path leads you towards an area with snakes and little monkeys before you get to the actual insects with all kinds of bugs, like walking sticks, beetles, centipedes etc.

There is no elevator to the basement floor, so be prepared to carry your stroller down or just leave it there for a while if you don't really need it. The lower floor is partly decorated like a cave showing more animals in their habitat. The selection of turtles and tortoises is pretty extensive and some are really interesting to look at, not only for kids. There is even a section with goats, bunnies, Guinea pigs and other animals which kids love to pet. A great place for younger kids is the little water landscape where they can just play or try to catch some fish.

Travel tips:

Opening Hour: Mon-Thu 9:00-17:00, Fri-Sun 9:00-17:30

Address: No1, Fenghe Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai

Transportation:

1. Take metro Line 2 and get off at the Lujiazui Station.

2. You can also get there via the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel to cross to the other side of Hunagpu River. For young kids this tunnel is already an adventure comparable to an amusement park ride with sound and light effects and meanwhile a convenient way to cross from one side of the river to the other. The Shanghai Aquarium is also not far, so if you want to see both places you can easily do that on the same day.