12 Outdoor Swimming Pools to Hit this Summer
It may be slightly premature to say it’s pool season, but it’s pretty damn close. To give you a little help planning your wild summer, here are 10 outdoor swimming pools to plunge into.
SHANGHAI ORIENTAL SPORTS CENTER
Address: 30 Yongyao Road
Hours: Daily, 1 -9pm
How much: RMB 42
Shanghai Oriental Sports Center’s pool is as good a choice as any, constructed in 2011, it facilitates two functional zones including a zone for having fun and special zone for serious swimmers. This venue is only open in July and August.
FENGYUN SWIMMING POOL
Address: 47 Zhongtan Road, Lane 99 (near Yichang Road)
Hours: Daily, 9am-10pm
Tel: 18321392757
How much: RMB 18
Fengyun Swimming Pool, located in COSCO two Bay City, is a natural swimming pool, in a fresh and clean environment. This place features great facilities, quality management, and professional coaching team to help out.
HONGKOU OUTDOOR SWIMMING POOL
Address: 500 Dongjiangwan Lu, near Dongtiyuhui Lu, Hongkou District
Hours: Daily, 9am-9pm
How much: RMB 35 (2 hours) | RMB 40 (2 hours after 17:00)
One of the oldest and probably the most crowded outdoor swimming pools in the city, Hongkou is a favorite option for many Shanghainese. It’s long enough to have a good swim, but as usual it's better to avoid peak times if that's what you are after. They also have a fitness center with lots of facilities.
MANDARINE CITY SWIMMING POOL
Address: 788 Hongxu Lu, near Huaguang Lu, Hongqiao District
Hours: Daily, 7am-9:30pm
How much: RMB 100 (adult) | RMB 60 (children under 1,3m)
The compound of Mandarine City also has a big swimming area for non-residents, with a tiny kiddie pool, a swim-up bar and lifeguards available. It is usually a bit crowded with residents, but still not a bad choice to cool yourself down and sip on a few cocktails.
JW MARRIOTT
Address: 399 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Huangpi Bei Lu, People's Square
Hours:Daily, 10am-7pm
How much: RMB 280 (adults) | RMB 150 (children)
The closest pool to People's Square, this high-end spot is a bit too shallow for a proper swim (especially for a dive), but still works perfectly for a splash around and to cool yourself off. There are two pools to chill out in, but no lifeguards so be wary with kids.
PURPLE MOUNTAIN HOTEL
Address: 788 Dongfang Lu, near Zhangyang Lu, Pudong New District
Hours:Daily, 7am-10pm
How much: RMB 100 all day
The remote location of this swimming pool in the Purple Mountain Hotel makes it the perfect place to take a quiet and relaxing dip. There are two gemstones pools on the rooftop garden, the adult one is 3 m deep, while the adjacent pool for kids is 1.5 m. As for other amenities, all guests can use the hotel's room service. Although the pool is only five floors up, it still offers a panoramic view of the Pudong skyline. It's also compulsory to wear a swimming cap.
OASIS RIVIERA POOL
Address: 833 Shuicheng Lu, near Tianshan Lu, Changning District
Hours:Daily, 10am-10:30pm
How much: No cover (members) | RMB 70 (non members)
Oasis Riviera pool is one of the cheapest non-sports center outdoor options in the city. The size is big enough to allow a few good lengths, and there is a small water slide as well so your kids can have some fun. The access to the outside pool is through the inside pool.
NEW WORLD SHANGHAI HOTEL
Address: 1555 Dingxi Lu, near Changning Lu, Changning District
Hours:Daily, 8am-9pm
How much: RMB 300 all day
Right across the road from Zhongshan Park and on the 15th floor is the outdoor pool of the New World Shanghai Hotel. This place isn’t too crowded (probably because of the price), and the panoramic view makes it one of the most spectacular swimming spots in the city. The RMB 300 entrance fee also gets you access to the sauna, gym and other facilities. You get what you pay for here.
SOFITEL SHANGHAI SHESHAN ORIENTAL
Address: 3388 Sichen Lu, Sijing Town, Songjiang District
Hours:Daily, 8am-7pm
How much: RMB 250
With 4,400 square m of outdoor swimming space, the pool in Sheshan Oriental is the perfect place to get your luxury soak on. Ok so it's a bit far from downtown and doesn't come cheap, but they have a really great brunch buffet on the weekends with boozy free-flows.
LE MERIDIEN SHESHAN SHANGHAI
Address: 1288 Linyinxin Lu, near Shenzhuanjiasong Lu, Songjiang District
Hours:Daily, 6:30am-10pm
How much: RMB 200 (weekdays) | RMB 300 (weekends, holidays)
There is an outdoor infinity and lap pool at Le Meridien Sheshan, all overlooking the lake and providing a picturesque view plus a tranquil setting. They also have a man-made beach with volleyball nets.
RADISSON BLU HOTEL
Address: 1199 Yingchun Lu, near Fangdian Lu, Pudong New Area
Hours:Daily, 6am-10pm
How much: RMB 80 (2 hours)
This is another recommended escape from the unbearable summer heat at the Radisson Blu Hotel, which is also open to non-residents. There is a lounge area, small swimming pool for kids and a lifeguard overseeing the area. It's compulsory to wear a cap though.
SHANGHAI GRAND PLAZA
Address: 568 Julu Lu, near Shaanxi Nan Lu, Xuhui District
Hours:Daily, 9am-9pm
How much: RMB 100 (Mon-Fri) | RMB 150 (Sat-Sun)
Set within a large leafy compound very popular with expats, there is a great outdoor pool area here and the well-known Mexican Restaurant Maya. The water is clean and deep enough, with room for a bit of sun bathing too. Make sure to get there by midday if you want to get a tan as the sun disappears between Grand Plaza's towers in the afternoon.
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