Run Fido Run
Finding good dog friendly parks is hard in Shanghai. It’s easier finding a dog friendly restaurant than a park that allows dogs! That is why we’ve made a quick overview of our Rascals approved dog friendly parks. All of these parks have been visited and rated by dog owners to indicate if they are actually dog friendly or more just dog tolerant.
Putuo Distict
Shanghai Binhe Green Area
Reviewed by Yantri Dewi
This park is a long stretch along the Suzhou Creek, extending for kilometres to the west. What makes this park truly special is that it’s completely free entry, making it a popular public space where local residents come to walk their dogs. On sunny days, some even bring along tents and BBQ equipment, creating a laid-back environment for families and friends to relax while their furry companions make new doggy friends.
However, our personal favourite spot is at the westernmost part of the park (blue patch) where it seems the builder of the park accidentally have a designated area for the dogs to run, play and socialize freely. This particular section is unintentionally enclosed by a fence due to its location above an underground tunnel, so the safety for our furry friends are kept with its surrounding railings.
Read more here
Jinshan Distict
Shanghai Four Seasons Pet Theme Park
Shanghai Four Seasons Pet Theme Park (上海宠四季宠物主题公园) is a great dog park in Jinshan district. It has a fully enclosed play area for the dogs which is well kept and very secure. They have pet friendly rides (swings, rollercoaster) agility course obstacles and a temperature-controlled swimming pool with grooming shop level bathing stations.
Beside the dog park are a few nice walking paths and dog friendly paddle boat rides in the lake.
My foster dog is very anxious and timid, and she was able to go off leash for the first time here because it’s very secure and safe areas for the dogs. You don’t have to worry about them escaping or people complaining about the dogs being off leash. It’s a perfect doggie day trip out of the city.
Fengxian District
Haiwan Forest Park
Haiwan Forest Park (上海海湾国家森林公园) in Fengxian district is a large park with lots to do for humans and dogs alike. There are many walking paths, dog-friendly kayaking, and engine powered boats available as well as a large field that is perfect for a game of fetch.
This is one of our go to parks because they dogs can run and be free.
This park also has a mini amusement park area with rides and games as well as go karts. Making it a great park for the whole family.
Entrance Fee: 80 RMB + parking fee
Address: 1677 Shaitanghe Rd, Fangxia Bay
Pudong
Greenland (Near Century Park)
Reviewed by San Roc and Zora
This park is located just a bit off from Century Park. There is an area where dogs can be off leash. There is small Park around it, so you can walk the dog and then let them go off leash on the grassy field. The area is quite near the smaller road, so you don’t have to worry your dog will run off to the big road. There is parking available too. Many bigger dogs often run without leash here. Some people even bring their tent and put it on the side of the field.
Location: Located 22 Jindai Road
Green Space of Pudong administrative office – Jin Dai Road/Ying Chun Road
Biyun sports park - Jinqiao
This is a great park if you live in Jinqiao. It’s our go to park after work. The park itself is fairly long and very dog friendly. The large field by Biyun Road has pretty much been taken over by dogs. There will be at times 15 dogs all running off-leash and loving their lives. The field is fairly large so 15-20 dogs doesn’t feel crowded and there is still tons of space to relax.
Entrance Fee: Free
He qing jiao ye gong yuan
He qing jiao ye gong yuan (合庆郊野公园) is located near the Pudong International Airport. It is a good day trip out of the hustle and bustle of the city.
The park is fairly new and is very large. There are lots of play areas for kids and fields where families set up tents and relax for the day. I went on a busy Saturday afternoon and was still able to find a shaded area to let the dogs off leash. There were a few other dogs at the park, from big golden retrievers to tiny little teacup dogs.
Baoshan District
Meilan Lake
Meilan lake is great option to get out of the hustle and bustle of the city centre. There is a lot of room around the lake and the walk is very nice. We even had one dog go for a swim. We set up for a picnic and enjoyed the beautiful day.
There is also an almost completely abandon European area next to the park that is interesting. Only a few shops were open with limited drinks and snacks.
Entrance fee: Free
Address: 888 Rofen Rd, Baoshan district
Songjiang District
Shanghai Sculpture Park
The Shanghai sculpture park is a good option for registered dogs. There is a man-made beach our dogs loved swimming in, and we had no problems taking our dogs everywhere in the park. There are signs that say the dogs need to be kept on leash. We went on a quiet day and let them off-leash in the quieter areas.
Dogs Need to be registered with a dog license
Address: 1158 Lin Yin New Road Songjiang District
Opening Hours: 9am -5pm
Guangfulin Country Park
Guangfulin is fairly dog friendly. We went on a weekend which meant the park was packed. No-one gave us any trouble, and we had 5 dogs with us. We saw many other people in the park with their dogs.
It’s large and there are lots of walking paths around. It was really nice to follow the paths around lake. There was lots of shaded areas to walk in which was nice on a hot day.
The only reason this park is a 4 is because at some points you must walk along the road in the park. It was extremely busy making walking with the dogs very troublesome as there was a constant follow of traffic. Once off the road we were able to have our dogs off leash wandering around.
Entrance: Free
Parking: Paid parking available
Qingpu District
Sun Island
Sun Island is divided into sections. There is a pet section with a doggie swimming pool, pet bistro and a large field for the dogs. It even has dog friendly hotels.
There is a pet play area has a doggie swimming pool. The swimming pool area also has doggie life jackets available if needed. This area also has a small indoor ball pit the dogs can play in. The ball pit area is inside (so it is heated/ AC).
There is also a large field in the play area. This field is well kept with agility and obstacle courses. There is also a water station for the dogs.
There is also a Paw Bistro, this is their dog friendly restaurant and they even serve cute meals for your pups.
Zhu Jia Jiao Water Town
ZhuJiaJiao (朱家角) is a Watertown in Qingpu district. The alleyways are very narrow with lots of bridges and benches to stop and relax. People seemed to be fine with our dogs.
Address: Junction at Mei rd and Xinfeng Rd, Qingpu District
Greenland Park near ZhuJiajiao water town
This is an open park along the river. There is plenty of space in the grass field for the dogs to run around without leash possibly. It is the freedom they have longed for a long time.
Also he very much enjoys jumping into the river and fetching balls I throw in the water. He was so happy to be here without any fear of cars, bikes, strangers etc
Chongming Island
Dongtan Wetland Reserve
Dongtan Wetland Reserve on Chongming Island is a great day trip out of the city centre. Its a huge park with many different sections. It is not technically an off leash park but in quieter areas or the winter we have our dogs off leash with no problems.
The park is mainly flat paths so it’s suitable for everyone. There is also a restaurant (not dog friendly), but you can order take away and use the picnic tables outside the restaurant or have a picnic on one of the large fields.
This park has lots of animals, such as goats, swans and alligators. So be careful if your dog is a hunter.
Weekend Ticket: 70 RMB
Tourist Bus Ticket (dog-friendly): 10 RMB
Changxing Island
Changxing Dao Jiaye Park
Changxing Dao Jiaye Gongyuan (长兴岛郊野公园) is known for being dog friendly. The park is fairly large and in most areas we were able to have our dogs off leash. The park has sections within it. There are many kid play areas. Some of these areas are free, and some have an extra fee.
There were also a few petting zoo areas. One had no entry fee and was dog friendly. We had our dogs on leash in this area. Hugo actually stuck his whole head in one of the goat cages.
The park is well kept and there are lots of fields where the dogs can run. This park tends to be busy but as it is so large there are many areas a little further from the entrance that are quiet and perfect for some off leash time.
Entrance tickets:
humans – free
dogs 40 RMB each
Xuhui District
West Bund Dog Park
The West Bund Dog Park is a good option that is relatively close. It is fenced in to keep the dogs contained. The fence is fairly low, so if you have a jumper then they might be able to escape. The only downfall is that this park is always really busy, and many owners do not watch their dogs closely. I had one dog that kept humping Hugo and got so aggressive he even ripped my jeans…. owners nowhere in sight. But it is good option if you’re looking for an easily accessible dog park where the dogs can be off leash.
Entrance: Free
Address: 3298 Longteng Avenue
