Cool Pools: Beijing's Best Summer Wonderlands

As the nation's heatwave continues, we have a list of the best spots in Beijing to stave off that hot China sun.

Outdoor

Baolian Sports Park Swimming Pool This Haidian sports park has two outdoor pools – a kiddie pool no deeper than 150cm, and a standard 25-meter swimming pool (150-180cm in depth) for adults and bigger kids (RMB 10 per person, free for children under 120cm). There is also a slightly smaller indoor poor (RMB 30). Entrance to indoor pool includes access to the outdoor pools and warm showers. Daily noon-9pm. 48 Beiwa Xili, Haidian District. (6843 8898) 宝联体育公园游泳场, 海淀区北洼西里48号

Crab Island’s City Seaview With a sandy expanse of lounging area adjacent to a wave pool, this is as close Beijing has to a real beach, and a popular spot for weekend relaxation. Daily 9am-8pm. RMB 60, RMB 40 (children between 100- 140cm), free (children under 100cm). Inside Beijing Crab Island Resort, 1 Xiedao Lu, Chaoyang District. (8433 9689/9191) 北京城市海景水上乐园, 朝阳区蟹岛路1号 (蟹岛度假村内)

Hongshankou Swimming Pool The less-visited outdoor pool boasts thinner crowds as well as cleaner and clearer water than other pools around town. Remember to bring your own flip-flops. RMB 10, free (children under 120cm). Daily 9am-8pm. West side of Tianxiu Huayuan, Heishanhu, Haidian District. (6281 8604) 红山口游泳场, 海淀区黑山扈天秀花园西侧

Jiaoda Swimming Pool Jiaotong University’s two outdoor swimming pools serve mainly for swim training and practice. Thus, while there is decidedly less of a carnival atmosphere, this is a good option for keen swimmers in the area for exercise in the open air, or for beginning swimmers. RMB 10.
Daily 4pm-6.30pm. Inside Beijing Jiaotong University, 3 Shangyuancun, Haidian District. (5168 3694) 海淀区上园村3号北京交通大学内

Liulang Swimming Pool This outdoor pool is one of Beijing’s best-known. Set at the south side of the Summer Palace and next to Kunyu River (昆玉河), it’s an ideal spot for Haidian-based families and water-lovers. Swimming here feels like being in a real lake, but with no safety concerns. Liulang’s two swimming areas, divided by a cute bridge and green plants, are both suitable for adults and children. Open until August 31. RMB 10, free (children under 120cm). Daily 9.30am-9pm. South gate of Summer Palace, Haidian District. (6263 5992) 柳浪游泳场, 海淀区颐和园南门

Qingnianhu Park Waterworld Perhaps the most popular of Beijing’s outdoor swimming pools, Qingnianhu has two sections with four pools in total, each satisfying different visitor demands. Serious swimmers can do laps while the kids have fun splashing around. Open until the end of August. RMB 20 for adults, RMB 15 (children under 130cm). Daily 9am-7pm. Inside Qingnianhu Park, Andingmenwai, Dongcheng District. (8411 6321) 青年湖公园水上世界, 东城区安定门外青年湖公园内

Splash Recreation Club The Sino-Swiss Hotel’s Splash boasts a large outdoor-indoor pool, sand volleyball court, playground, gym, ping-pong tables, a poolside bar and a restaurant. The hotel also has squash and tennis courts as well as a sauna. Less crowded than some outdoor swimming venues, with sun loungers and dependable amenities. Mon-Fri: RMB 50, RMB 30 (kids). Sat-Sun: RMB 130, RMB 65 (kids). Daily 6am-10pm. Sino-Swiss Hotel, 9 Xiao Tianzhu Nanlu, Shunyi District. (6456 5588 ext 1217) 浪花俱乐部, 顺义区小天竺南路9号国都大饭店

Tuanjiehu Park Swimming Pool Outdoor water fun in the city center. In addition to the swimming area, kids’ play area and sandy beach, Tuanjiehu also has water slides and a wave simulator. The pool is small but does the job. Location makes it easy to visit after a long day at work, and kids love it. RMB 40(weekdays), RMB 50(weekends). Daily 10.30am-8.30pm. Inside Tuanjiehu Park, 16 Tuanjiehu Nanli, Chaoyang District. (8597 4677) 团结湖公园模拟海滨乐园, 朝阳区团结湖南里16号

Indoor

Merry Water World This 35,000-sqm indoor wonderland includes China’s highest indoor slide, a wave simulator, free spa and sauna, and a water screen Chinese cartoon show (daily at 8.30pm), as well as a number of non-water activities such as bowling, tennis, climbing and KTV. RMB 98 (weekdays), RMB 168 (weekends).
Mon-Fri 1.30-10.30pm, Sat-Sun 9.30am-10.30pm. Jinzhan, Dongweilu (Take the Airport Expressway to the Weigou exit. Turn left at the first stoplight, right at the second, and then go straight), Chaoyang District. (8433 0606 ext 5104) 摩锐水世界, 朝阳区东苇路金盏

Water Cube Under construction at the time of writing, this iconic host of the 2008 Olympic swimming and diving competitions is scheduled to reopen in mid July. RMB 50 for two hours, RMB 10 per additional hour.
Daily 9.30am-9.30pm. 1 Anding Lu, Yayuncun, Chaoyang District. (5166 9445) 国家游泳中心，朝阳区亚运村安定路1号

Ying Tung Natatorium This natatorium, previous host to various international and domestic competitions, has a 50m×25m competition pool, a 12m×9m relaxation pool, a 50m×11.5m warm up pool and a 25m×25m diving pool. RMB 50 (unlimited time). Daily 10am-10pm. 1 Anding Lu, Yayuncun, Chaoyang District. (6494 1468) 英东游泳馆, 朝阳区亚运村安定路1号奥体中心

Beijing International Studies University Natatorium On campus of BISU. Nice water and temperature. RMB 30 for 1.5 hours. Daily 2-10pm. Inside BISU, 1 Dingfuzhuang Nanli, Chaoyang District. (6577 8311) 北京二外游泳馆, 朝阳区定福庄南里1号
Haidian Natatorium Has two 25m×16m indoor pools.RMB 25 per time. Daily noon-4pm, 7-11pm. Inside Haidian gymnasium, 12 Yiheyuan Lu, Haidian District. (6264 2626) 海淀游泳馆, 海淀区颐和园路12号（海淀体育馆内）

Dongdan Natatorium Centrally located facility has a ten-lane indoor pool and a kids’ pool. RMB 40 (unlimited time). Daily 10am-9pm. 2A, Dahua Lu, Dongdan, Dongcheng District. (6523 1241) 东单游泳馆, 东城区东单大华路甲2号

Hotel Pools

China World Hotel Pool RMB 200. Daily 6am-11pm. China World Hotel, No.1 Jianguomenwai Avenue, Chaoyang District. (6505 2266 ext 33) 博雅员会所, 朝阳区中国北京建国门外大街1号
Doubletree by Hilton Beijing Pool RMB 150. Mon-Sat. 6am-10pm. RMB 158 (includes all-you-can-eat buffet). Sun 11.30am-4.30pm.168 Guang’anmen Waidajie, Xuanwu District. (6338 1888) 宣武区广安门外大街168号
Grand Millenium Pool RMB 350. Daily 6am-11pm. 7 East Third Ring Road, Middle Road., Chaoyang District. (8587 6888) 朝阳区东三环中路7号

Holiday Inn Lido Health Club RMB 700/times or people. Daily 5.30am-11pm. Daily 4.30am-11pm. 6 Jiangtai Lu, Chaoyang District. (6437 6688) 北京丽都假日饭店游泳馆, 朝阳区将台路6号
Park-Hyatt Indoor Pool RMB 300. Daily 6am-10.30pm. 2 Jianguomenwai, Yintai Center, Chaoyang District. (8567 1234) 朝阳区建国门外大街2号

Ritz-Carlton Financial Street Fitness Center RMB 220. Daily 6am-midnight. 1 Jinchengfang Street East,Xidan/Financial Street., Xicheng District. (6601 6666) 西城区金城坊东街1号

Shangri-La Beijing Pool RMB 300. Daily 6am-11pm. 29 Zizhuyuan Lu., Haidian District. (6841 2211) 海淀区紫竹院路29号