Weifang Jinbao Playground, Shandong, China

4Douglas M 5:00 PM Jul 3, 2017

A Grand Day Out
Combine a visit to this park with a visit to the Jinquan Temple (see separate review). We visited this attraction a few days after a visit to the temple, by then the place had dried out! From the city we took the number 15 bus which stops outside the entrance to both the temple and park. The number 2 bus goes from the railway station. The journey takes about 30 minutes. Tell the bus driver where you want to go and hopefully he’ll tell you when to get off as the entrance isn’t particularly obvious. The return bus stop is across the road. It’s a bit of a walk from the road to the entrance and ticket office. Take your passport for a discount. A combined temple and playground park ticket is 70 Yuan, temple only is 50 Yuan and the playground is 60 Yuan. The combined ticket is obviously a bargain! As playground or amusement park suggests this place has lots of attractions for children. There are big playgrounds, a few fairground rides, three old planes and a tank (no climbing), cafes and earth sciences building (closed on Mondays). The park is huge so I’m sure we didn’t see everything. There’s an overhead railway but it wasn’t open, more than likely the curse of Monday closing. Mind you, there were very few visitors; probably more staff than visitors. Probably gets busy at the weekends and on public holidays. Best of all, as far as I’m concerned, was Animal World. A rather old fashioned zoo, the animals are in cages rather than in huge enclosures. You can get really close to the animals for some good photos. There are lions, tigers, bears, camels, monkeys etc. but no elephants, rhinos or hippos. SWMBO insisted on feeding crisps to the monkeys despite notices to the contrary, but she couldn’t resist their pleading eyes and outstretched hands. Outside Animal World to a playground there are pens with dogs, cats, pigs, goats and rabbits. SWMBO wanted to take a piglet home as it was so cute. I pointed out that it would grow into the metre long porker just like its mother. To compensate we had a ride on a swing made-for-two. SWMBO was worried about what people would think but the only other people there were also taking advantage of dearth of visitors and happily taking selfies on a see-saw. I’ve no idea what the animals think of the noise made by jets taking off from the military airfield next to park. You only see the planes when they are about 100 metres up because there’s a high wall in the way. Jet fighters, taking off usually in pairs, with afterburners going full blast aren’t quiet to say the least. I suppose the animals and staff are used to the noise. I really did fancy a ride on the dodgems but it would have been no fun as there was nobody else to bump in to. Be prepared for lots of walking. We were in the park for an afternoon but really a full-day is required.

5KennethFarnsworth 5:00 PM Jun 29, 2014

Under the trees.
The village runs the park. Next door there is an incredible Dumpling restaurant, part of Jinbao Hotel What I like best is the 100 or so hammocks where you lie and look at the trees waving in the wind, and the blue sky and watch the happiness birds having fun. Magic. there is a small zoo with giant pandas and emus Again, most of the visitors are Chinese. Many children and younger persons. Plenty for children to do. Good value for money If you are over 70 remember to ask for a discount.