A Day at the Pool: Guoce International Conference and Exhibition Center

There’s no better way to escape the sweltering heat in Beijing than to take a dip in a pool. However, since moving to Beijing, I’ve learned that outdoor pools and splashing in the water for fun are not really a thing here. There are some pretty cool indoor pools, I must admit, but nothing comes even close to enjoying the warm sun from a swimming pool with nothing but the blue sky above. Just the thought of a summer evening with the sun casting its rays into the water … it’s just what summer is.

So last weekend I decided to take the kids somewhere for a swim and we ended up in Shunyi. There’s this outdoor swimming pool there that has been mentioned and recommended in some of the WeChat groups, so I wanted to check it out. It’s located on the grounds of Guoce International Conference and Exhibition Center.

When I mentioned it to my husband, he was like, ”Shunyi?!” But I’ve never been lazy for fun stuff and the distance to Shunyi has never been an issue for me, so I didn’t mind the 45-minute ride northeast. The manager of the center, Linda, sent me the scan code for purchasing the tickets, and we packed a change of clothes for ourselves plus some baby food and hit the road. A family ticket for two adults and two children costs RMB 398, but there are other options available: RMB 328 for two adults and one child, RMB 198 for one adult and one child, RMB 258 for two adults, and RMB 158 for a single adult ticket.

We got to the pool around 1 pm, and as soon as we arrived, I could tell that it was going to be a great day. The changing rooms and showers are located at the entrance to the pool, and that’s where you can get clean towels from. We quickly changed and headed to the available lounge chairs that were comfortably resting in a good amount of shade. It was Saturday, but the  place was far from overcrowded. The water was clear and just the perfect temperature. We all got in and were ready to start our family day at the pool.

The kids had loads of fun with all the inflatable pool toys that people could use free of charge. We especially enjoyed a little clear plastic boat that was so much fun to ride for kids and adults alike.

There's more to this story! This article was originally published on our sister site, Jingkids International.

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READ: Beat the Heat: 3 Places to Throw Yourself a Summer Pool Party

Images: Sanja Stojkov