As we head into summer at a rapid rate, the kids will soon be asking for a day at the pool to cool down and have some fun. There are many indoor and outdoor pools around town ready to welcome you. Take your pick between an abundance of greenery, a sandy beach or child-friendly with fun slides - our list has it all. So, grab your goggles, slap on the sunscreen and blow up the floaties; it’s time to take a dip in one of the many pools around Shanghai.

Ambassy Club (outdoor and indoor)

Slides, fountains and pool play-things galore, this former French Concession private club turns into a child-magnet come summertime. Even with all the youngsters, the relatively refined atmosphere and excellent location keep us coming back. Drop in during the week for a quieter experience. 

Opening Hours: Indoor: 6.30am-9pm (Mon-Fri), 8am-9pm (Weekend); Outdoor: 11.30am-7pm (Mon), 9am-7pm (Tue-Fri), 8am-7pm (Weekend)

Cost: Members only. Annual membership RMB7,000 (single) and RMB13,800 (family)

Ambassy Club, 1500 Huaihai Zhong Lu, by Wulumuqi Zhong Lu 淮海中路1500号，近乌鲁木齐中路 (6437 9800, 6437 5002)

Brilliant City (outdoor)

Pool inside an apartment complex just north of Suzhou Creek. Their RMB25 entry is great for swimmers on a budget, though expect it to be crowded. Swimming cap required for entry.

Opening Hours: May-Aug 31, 9am-10pm

Cost: RMB25 (before 5pm), RMB35 (after 5pm) 

Brilliant City Pool, Lane 47, No. 99 Zhongtan Lu, by Yichang Lu 中潭路47弄99号，近宜昌路 (183 2139 2757)

G-Luxe Hotel (outdoor)

Situated around 10 minutes away from Hongqiao Airport, G-Luxe Hotel has a decently-sized outdoor lakeside pool surrounded by a 480-square-meter sunbathing terrace with plenty of lounge chairs. Nearby hotel facilities include spas and restaurants.

Open: Jun-Sep, 8am-8pm

Cost: RMB80

G-Luxe Hotel, Kanghong Garden, 1358 Huqingping Highway, by Zhuguang Lu 沪青平公路1358号康虹花园, 近诸光路 (5975 8855)

Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai (indoor)

Located in Lujiazui, this pool offers sweeping views of the Huangpu River and the Shanghai skyline. The 20-meter long, 160 square meters indoor swimming pool is located on the top floor and maintains a temperature of 26-28 degrees Celsius. You'll love the natural light that streams through the glass ceiling overhead. 

Opening Hours: 7am-11pm.
Cost: Free for hotel guests, RMB345 for a one-time entry.

Grand Kempinksi Hotel Shanghai, 1288 Lujiazui Huan Lu, by Yincheng Lu 陆家嘴环路1288号，近银城路 (3867 8888)

Hyatt on the Bund (indoor)

A 25-meter swimming pool is a good start, but what to do afterward? Following your invigorating swim and time in the jacuzzi, visit the Yuan Spa, hair salon or enjoy dining in one of the hotel restaurants.

Opening Hours: Year-round, 6am-11pm
Cost: Day pass: RMB190 (child), RMB350 (adults) plus 15 percent service charge. Membership: Annual RMB15,000.

Hyatt on the Bund, 199 Huangpu Lu, by Wuchang Lu 黄浦路199号，近武昌路 (6393 1234)

Hongkou Swimming Pool (outdoor)

This large 1,400 sqm pool can accommodate nearly 600 swimmers, but even with all that space, you might still get splashed. Luckily for those who prefer to 'really swim,' ample lanes are provided. A few slides wind their way around as well, and swimming lessons are available during the summer. 

Open: From May, 9am-9pm 
Cost: RMB40 for two hours

Hongkou Swimming Pool, 500 Dongjiangwan Lu, by Dong Tiyuhui Lu 东江湾路55号，近东体育会路 (5665 0759)

InterContinental Shanghai Puxi (indoor)

Located on the sixth floor of InterContinental Shanghai Puxi, the Health Club features both a gym and a swimming pool. The spacious indoor swimming pool of 200 square meters is set at a temperature of 26-28 degrees Celsius. The pool has a well-organized changing room, where you can store your items and change for the pool. Open for adults and children this is the perfect environment for a day of leisure. 

Open: Year-round, 6am-11pm
Cost: Free for in-house guests. Annual membership RMB20,000, including gym and swimming pool access.

InterContinental Shanghai Puxi, 500 Hengfeng Lu, by Tianmu Xi Lu 恒丰路500号，近天目西路 (3120 0354)

Jinshan Urban Beach (outdoor)

None of that phony fake-sand stuff here; if you want to dive into the sea, frolic in the waves and enjoy fresh seafood, take the trip out to this Shanghai suburb. You have to pay to get on the beach in the summer, but it’s free other times of the year.

Opening Hours: Jun 20-Sep 10, 6am-8pm

Cost: RMB30 (child); RMB50 (adult)

Jinshan Urban Beach, 5 Xincheng Lu, by Huhang Gong Lu 新城路5号, 近沪杭公路 (5793 6507)

JW Marriott Shanghai Tomorrow Square (outdoor and indoor)

Conveniently located in the center of the city, the outdoor pool is the perfect spot for a sophisticated snooze and tan.

Opening Hours: Outdoor: May-Oct; Indoor: Year-round, 6am-10pm

Cost: RMB280 (adult). Free for hotel guests.

JW Marriott Shanghai Tomorrow Square, 399 Nanjing Xi Lu, by Huangpi Bei Lu 南京西路399号，近黄陂北路 (5359 4969)

Mandarin City (outdoor)

With a swim-up bar that serves drinks and food, and featuring a relatively large water space, this is a hot spot for pool parties.  Arrive early if you want to find a chair or even space to drape your towel, as it fills up fast. During parties, drink deals may be included in the entrance fee.  

Open: 11am-8pm (Mon), 7am-8pm (Tue-Wed, Fri-Sun), 1pm-8pm (Thu)

Cost: RMB60 (child); RMB100 (adult)

Mandarin City, 788 Hongxu Lu, by Huaguang Lu 虹许路788号, 近华光路 (6405 0404)

New Star (outdoor and indoor)

Not only do they offer hot tubs, cool baths, steam and dry saunas, showers, a restaurant and a lounge, but you get a workout in at the gym or go for an afternoon snooze in one of their cabanas. Not a bad deal, even if it isn’t located directly in the city center.

Opening Hours: May-Sep, 8am-midnight

Cost: RMB98

New Star Spa (Jinhui Nan Lu), 258 Jinhui Nan Lu, by Wuzhong Lu 金汇南路258号，近吴中路 (3432 0777)

New World Hotel Shanghai

Coming in at 250 square meters, while pricier than some of the ground-level spots, this hotel pool is large, quiet and has a fantastic view. An ample number of lounge chairs and a decent-sized outdoor terrace promise a relaxing afternoon escape. Just remember to bring your swimming cap!

Opening Hours: From May, 7am-9pm

Cost: RMB200 (Weekdays), RMB300 (Weekend)

New World Hotel Shanghai, 1555 Dingxi Lu, by Changning Lu 定西路1555号，近长宁路 (6240 8888)

Purple Mountain Hotel (outdoor)

This round rooftop pool throws parties every summer. When the atmosphere isn’t filled with pumpin’ beats and party-goers, it's a great place to catch some sun as the skyscrapers don’t block the rays. There’s also a kiddie pool that’ll keep the little ones busy. 

Open: Jun 15-Sept, 6am-11pm

Cost: Free for hotel guests, RMB200 for non-guests

Purple Mountain Hotel, 778 Dongfang Lu, by Zhangyang Lu 东方路778号，近张杨路 (6886 8888)

Shanghai Grand Plaza (outdoor)

Cheap and convenient, if tiny and not as fancy as some of the other cool pools, it’s easy to reel in a group of friends to gather here. Make sure to bring everything at once – they won’t let you back in once you leave.

Opening Hours: 9am-9pm
Cost: RMB100 (Weekdays), RMB150 (Weekend)

Shanghai Grand Plaza, 568 Julu Lu, by Shaanxi Nan Lu 巨鹿路568号，近陕西南路 (6289 4835)

Shanghai Sun Island Golf & Spa Resort (outdoor and indoor)

Surf’s up dude! This massive pool makes waves with its ‘real imported sand’ beaches and twisty slides. More of a luxury weekend getaway than a day trip, you can also go rock climbing, play on their 36-hole golf course, rent go-karts and ride horses.

Opening Hours: Indoor: Year-round 11am-9pm; Outdoor: Mid Jun-Oct, 9am-6pm

Cost: Free for guests. Non-members RMB200 (outdoor pool) and RMB155 (indoor pool)

Sun Island Resorts, 2588 Shentai Lu 沈太路2588号 (6186 9650)

Shimao Riviera Garden Pool (outdoor and indoor)

This location offers lenty of swimming space and a fair-sized stretch of beach; when we head here, we stay all day. A few volleyball courts are usually set up and there’s also a workout pool inside, but with a bar outside serving up cocktails and beer (albeit on the pricier side) you won’t find too many of us swimming in those lanes.

Opening Hours: Indoor: Year-round 7am-10pm; Outdoor: Jun-Sep, 10am-7pm

Cost: RMB100 (child), RMB200 (adult)

Shimao Riviera Garden, 1-2 Weifang Xi Lu, by Pucheng Lu 潍坊西路1-1号, 近浦成路 (6888 8108)

Sofitel Shanghai Sheshan Oriental (outdoor and indoor)

Dotted with islands and playgrounds, the outdoor swimming pool extends 4,400 square meters and is bordered by a beach with real sand from Vietnam. The poolside bar offers beer, champagne and cocktails and there is also an indoor heated swimming pool.

Opening Hours: Indoor: 7am-10pm; Outdoor: May-Sep, 8am-7pm

Cost: Free for hotel and brunch guests, RMB300 for non-guests.

Sofitel Shanghai Sheshan Oriental, 3388 Sichen Gonglu, by Jiasong Nan Lu 泗陈公路3388弄, 近嘉松南路 (3761 8888)

Sunny Beach Bihaijinsha (outdoor)

The largest artificial beach in China with 650,000sqm of water and 80,000m of sand, its name – which means blue sea and golden sand – is particularly apt. There are water trikes, volleyball nets and surfboards for rent. Just like a real beach. Food is also welcome, so take along your picnic baskets.

Opening Hours: May-Sep, 8.30am-9pm

Cost: RMB65 (adult), RMB30 (child)

Sunny Beach Bihaijinsha, 39 Hai‘ou Lu, by Jinhuitang Lu 海鸥路39号, 近金汇塘路 (5712 7811)

W Shanghai - The Bund (outdoor and indoor)

The indoor and outdoor pools at the W Shanghai – The Bund ensures swimming in any season. During the warmer months, indulge in the outdoor pool and deck with views of the spectacular Shanghai skyline. Offering sunbeds, snacks and a poolside bar, this is a excellent option for parents and children alike. The indoor pool is set at a comfortable 28 degrees Celsius and presents underwater speakers and oversized whirlpool for enjoyment.

Opening Hours: Indoor: 6am-10pm; Outdoor: 10am-6pm

Cost: RMB480 (Mon-Thu); RMB580 (Weekend)

W Shanghai – The Bund, 66 Lvshun Lu, by Machang Lu 旅顺路66号, 近马厂路 (2286 9999)

Yanlord Garden Lujiazui (outdoor and indoor)

On the opposite side of town, you can find the twin pool of the Yanlord pair. It offers two decent-sized outdoor infinity pools. You must live in the compound to become a member, and then you can use the pool.

Opening Hours: Indoor: Year-round 7am-10pm; Outdoor Jul-Sep, 7am-10pm

Cost: Members only, contact management for more details 

Yanlord Garden Lujiazui, 99 Puming Lu, by Shangcheng Lu 浦明路99号，近商城路 (5876 9988)

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