2008 Jul 22 Splash! Where to cool off in Beijing
by Paul Pennay, Luan Jing Jing and Victoria Yang
Although it's not quite the hottest day that Beijing's seen this summer (it already reached 39.4 deg. earlier this month) still, temperatures today are likely to push past 35 degrees (95 to Americans). With this in mind, we've put together an up-dated list of outdoor swimming pools and water fun parks that Beijingers can splash around and cool off in. Given that we're now in the "Olympic Period" some of the cheap outdoor pools located in universities or close to Olympic venues are not open to the public. This means that the Workers' Stadium Pool, Chaoyang Park Pool and Tsinghua University Pool are all closed. Also, although they're having trouble enforcing the regulations, city authorities are encouraging people not to swim in any of lakes that dot Beijing's parks and tourist sites. Finally, bad news for those beach-starved residents who are dying to dive into some salty water, a plan to construct a saltwater pool in Beijing back in 2005 does not seem to have made it past the planning stages. Keep reading below for a list of the best places to cool off this summer:
Tuanjiehu Beach Pool
Conveninently located just east of the east Third Ring Road, this big, clean pool boasts a "beach" (small and muddy), food stations and water slides. The pool entry fee provides unlimited use on weekdays and three hours on weekends. To avoid the crowds, try to get there about 30 minutes before closing. More pictures available here.
Mon-Fri RMB 20, weekends RMB 25, RMB500/30 times. Free for kids under 80cm.
Daily 10.30am-8.30pm. 16 Tuajiehu Nanlu (inside Tuajiehu Park), Chaoyang District (8597 467)
朝阳区团结湖公园内
Magic Water World
More kids playground than swimming pool, expect to get splashed at this water park that features a water "disco," a 5-a-side-soccer pool, air castles and heaps of other wet and wild activities to keep the kids amused. The recent tbjkids water-splashing Fun Fest was held there.
RMB 60, free for kids under 1m.
Daily 10am-6pm, from Aug 9-24 open 10am-8.30pm.
North Eastern corner of Ditan Park, just north of Lama Temple subway stop , Dongcheng District (8262 4677) www.magicww.com
奇幻飙水乐园,东城区地坛公园的东北角安定门外大街甲2号
Crab Island or City Seaview
Inside this resort is a substantial fake beach with parasols overlooking a large pool. After a swim and a game of beach volleyball, visit the concession stand to pick up beers and chuan'r (lamb, chicken, squid, etc.), which you barbecue on the onsite grills. RMB 60/day, RMB 40 for children under 1.4 m. RMB 780 for unlimited use until Aug 31 for family of three.
Daily 9am-10 pm. Xiedao Dujiacun (take the Weigou exit off the Airport Expressway and follow the signs), Jichang Lu, Chaoyang District. (8433 9689 or 8432 5188) www.cityseaview.net
城市海景, 朝阳区机场路蟹岛度假村
Splash Recreation Club
The Sino-Swiss Hotel's Splash boasts a large outdoor-indoor pool, a sand volleyball court, a playground, a gym, ping-pong tables, a poolside bar and a restaurant. The hotel also has squash and tennis courts as well as a sauna. Reports from forum users suggest that the place is not crowded and "there are a hundred sun lounges to choose from, you can take your own picnic, there are nice change rooms with good showers ... a gym and all other amenities included." There's also a free shuttle bus that departs from Dongzhimen Subway, Sanlitun North and the entrance to Hard Rock Cafe from 9.30am daily.
RMB 100 per weekday (adult), RMB 130 on weekends, children over 4 half price, free for children under 4. RMB 780/20 times (3 month limit).
Daily 6am-10pm. Sino-Swiss Hotel, 9 Xiao Tianzhu Nanlu, Shunyi District. (6456 5588 ext 1217) www.sino-swisshotel.com
浪花俱乐部, 顺义区小天竺南路9号国都大饭店
Caribbean Lagoon
This recently opened beach park might not be easy to get to, but it features water slides (reportedly designed by the same people behind the Disney Water parks in the US), a wave pool and more. Eating and accommodation options also available.
RMB 150, kids under 1.4m free.
Daily 9.30am-4.30pm. 118 Yanshuitou, Yanqi Zhen (directions in Chinese here), Huairou County (5867 9210/11) www.caribbeanlagoon.com.cn
加勒比海浪水上乐园，怀柔区雁栖镇泉水头118号
Closed:
Workers' Stadium Swimming Pool
Chaoyang Park Swimming Pool
Tsinghua University Outdoor Swimming Pool
Links and Sources
Colors: "This is Beijing’s last outdoor swimming pool. If it disappears, our summer disappears." image
Beijing Today: List of Beijing swimming pools from 2007
Beijing Daily: 昆明湖边“禁游”牌难挡“游”客雅兴
You might also be interested in :
Cold Snap!
The Beijing Bureau of Meteorology released an alert at 5pm yesterday - the first of its kind since 2004 - warning of a "cold wave" that will result in temperatures in the capital plummeting to -9 deg celsius overnight. According to the forecast, force 5 to 6 north winds will begin buffeting the city tonight and during the day tomorrow the temperature is unlikely to rise above 0 ℃. According to authorities, the cold front will only affect Beijing for the next couple of days and temperatures are likely to rebound over the weekend. That said, they're unlikely to reach the relatively mild temperatures we've been experiencing lately.Links and Sources
Beijing Times: 本市首次发布寒潮预警 平原地区气温下降至-9℃
Hexun: 北京首发寒潮预警(图)Win a Brand New Pair of Shoes From D:FUSE!
This women's shoe brand, first founded by expats in Shanghai in 2007, is now up to 14 Beijing branches and counting. (For a list of all existing store locations, click here.) According to their website, D:FUSE "strives to bring the latest Scandinavian urban trends to the fashion forward Chinese consumer."
It just so happens that their trend-conscious footwear appeals to us expats as well. And now, one lucky reader has the chance to win a pair of free shoes! Whether sandals or pumps, their designs typically range from RMB 600-1,500, with most of them priced at around the RMB 700-800 mark. You can check out some of D:FUSE's latest styles below, or peruse the full collections here.
The rules? With the exception of the higher-priced Desire line, you can choose whatever pair meets your fancy (though do note that their largest size available is 39).
Win a Free OSPOP Bag From Plastered T-shirts!
By now you’ve likely heard that Plastered T-shirts has opened a second Beijing branch in 798 Art District. (If not, catch up on all the details here.) Now we have even more photos of the store interior which, according to their blog, was designed by founder Dominic Johnson-Hill himself.
The Ship Has Sailed: Bon Voyage to ShopWeShip.com
Expats who rely on the material comforts of home may be disheartened to hear that ShopWeShip.com, previously known as Dong-Xi.com, has just announced that it will soon be discontinuing its services.
ShopWeShip.com was first established to give Chinese residents access to e-commerce sites that only shipped to US billing addresses. Back then, our options were few – we could hardly find quality Western food around town, let alone chic clothes from mid- to high-end retailers.
798 Gets Plastered
Plastered T-shirts, a Beijing-based brand which has carved much of its identity around Nanluogu Xiang, is now expanding its creative reach. If all goes according to plan, their new shop – their second in Beijing – will open tomorrow in 798 Art District, right across from the UCCA.
Guest
Re: Splash! Where to cool off in Beijing
Ianton
stay cool and funky? immerse yourself in the best parties in town more...
Guest
Re: Splash! Where to cool off in Beijing
Pika
Find yourself a beautiful terrace with a great view and drench yourself in Martini's, the perfect way to keep cool in Beijing!
Guest
Re: Splash! Where to cool off in Beijing
Pablo
Once in Bangkok I unvoluntarily ended up in a ice cube storage room in the market next to the river. It was amazingly cool and contrasting with the horrible Thai heat, just by storing huge two-meters-high blocks of ice in a room.
I proposed my colleagues to do so in the office (each of us brings a huge piece of iceberg in the morning and store it under his desk) but, to my surprise, I received this very morning from HR a notification to leave the office until the end of the Olympics for safety reasons.
But I don't care, I'll store my gigantic ice cubes home and play to trap my cats in it while sipping some freshly made mojito.
By the way where can I buy some ice in Beijing?
Guest
Re: Splash! Where to cool off in Beijing
Robin
Best way to keep cool and wet is to lay a tray of ice in front of a fan, which actually does make it significantly colder.
Then there are the secret spots: Xihai, almost unbelievably, has been clean enough to swim in lately, with convenient floating docks to dry out on afterwards. Yuanmingyuan, though tough for swimming, has the best green spaces close to Beijing.
By far the most relaxing summer spot, however, is the deer park in Nanhaizi, where the old imperial hunting grounds used to be. Bathing with deer is an unforgettable experience.
Guest
Re: Splash! Where to cool off in Beijing
victoria
@Pablo: You can order ice here
http://www.thebeijinger.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=22076
kizzyStephens
Re: Splash! Where to cool off in Beijing
Absolutely cool.
Looking at the pictures makes me wanna make my self immerse in one of the pool. Reminds me so much of summer in america.
--Life is a constant change.