Beijing’s Best Indoor and Outdoor Swimming Pools to Save You From the Summer Heat
The most obvious way to deal with the inevitably steamy, hot Beijing summer is to jump into the water, make a splash, and cool down. Here are a few of the Beijinger’s favorite places to go for a dip, including something new, something old, something fun, and – of course – something blue.
Happy Magic Watercube Park
Best for: Exploring thrilling slides
The former site of the 2008 Olympic water sports competitions, the Water Cube has since been transformed into a water playground. There’s a wave pool, slides of varying intensities, and neverending splash-tertainment. The water is cleaned on a daily basis, but you may find it to be too crowded, as many visitors bemoan online.
RMB 260 (adults), RMB 220 (kids between 1.2m and 1.5m), Free (kids below 1.2m). Daily 10am-7pm. 11 Tianchen Donglu (in the Olympic Park, near the Bird’s Nest), Chaoyang District (8437 8966)
水立方嬉水乐园：朝阳区北四环中路奥林匹克公园内（近鸟巢）
Dongdan Swimming Pool
Best for: Being the all-around best
This indoor 50m x 25m swimming pool has great facilities, 10 lanes for laps, and is well-managed. It gets busy in the mornings, but evenings tend to be peaceful. The water here is on a filtration system, and the pool is easily one of the city's best public pools.
RMB 50, RMB 30 (students), RMB 20 (kids). Tue-Fri 10am-9pm. A2 Dahua Lu, Dongcheng District (6523 1241)
东单游泳馆(奥佳游泳培训班)：东城区东单大华路甲2号
Yingdong Natatorium (Olympic Sports Center)
Best for: Experienced swimmers
This professional Olympic-sized swimming pool has 10 lanes and is popular among experienced swimmers (to prove you're good enough to swim in it, you'll be asked to swim 200 meters and tread water for one minute). There are also shallow waters and swimming classes for the beginners. Another bonus is that you'll never get too hot nor too chilly as the water temperature is set to a balmy 28 degrees Celcius throughout the year. Bathing caps are mandatory for all swimmers.
RMB 50, RMB 20 (kids) for a single visit, RMB 890 for 25 uses. Mon-Sun 9am-9pm. 1 Anding Lu, Olympic Village, Haidian District (158 1000 7578)
英东游泳馆：海淀区亚运村安定路1号奥体中心
Sino-Japanese Friendship Center (21st Century Theater)
Best for: Swimming laps
Another Olympic-sized swimming pool popular with serious swimmers, the water here is filtered using a mild salt solution, eliminating chlorine irritation and leaving no distinct smell. This pool can be chilly, so be sure to warm-up first. Bathing caps are mandatory for all swimmers.
RMB 98, RMB 66 (kids) for a single visit, discount for multi-swim purchases. Mon-Sun 9am-9.30pm. 40 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District (6466 4805)
二十一世纪饭店游泳馆：朝阳区亮马桥路40号
Tuanjiehu Water Park
Best for: Pool-side lounging and daytime drinking
Tuanjiahu Water Park is more centrally located than many of the other water parks in the city and although it's not that big, it boasts both a beach and wave pool. You can lay back, have a drink, enjoy a picnic, play on the slides, and even work on your tan, all at a stone's throw from Sanlitun. There are also paddle boats and other entertainment options nearby such as rollerskating. The water facilities are filtered 24-hours a day.
RMB 60 (weekdays), RMB 80 (weekends). Daily 10.30am-8.30pm. 16 Tuanjiehu Nanli, East Third Ring Road, Chaoyang District (8597 4677)
团结湖新海滨乐园：朝阳区团结湖南里16号东三环路
Chaoyang Park
Best for: Sunbathing, picnicking, and drinking
Though not open until around Jul 1 (no official date has yet to be set), we have high expectations for this annual "Ocean and Beach Carnival." A 20,000sqm beach replete with sand imported from Hainan, a 2,000sqm swimming pool and shallow water area for kids, as well as a standard pool, make this Beijing's largest outdoor swimming park, perfect for chilling out and having a picnic with family and friends. There are also paddle boats, balls to rent, and other activities and accessories.
RMB 90 (weekdays), RMB 60 (6-9pm on weekdays), RMB 140 (weekends). Daily 9am-9pm. 1 Nongzhangaun Nanlu, Chaoyang District
朝阳公园沙滩浴场：朝阳区农展馆南路1号
Chenjinglun Middle School
Best for: Best CBD value
This pool belongs to Chenjinglun Middle School, opposite of Parkview Green, and regardless of the fact that it was built 20 years ago, it has been well-maintained and attracts many visitors from nearby. Many locals and their children learn to swim here.
RMB 1,800 for 60 uses, or RMB 2,500 for 100 uses. Daily 10am-10pm. 38 Chaowai Dajie, Chaoyang District (8561 1983)
陈经纶中学：朝阳区朝外大街38号
Trainyard
Best for: Serious swim training at a price
Rich kids can try the latest addition to the CBD pool scene: This heated, 25m x 10m, five-lane indoor swimming pool on the fifth floor of Hotel Jen Beijing. The pool also features a massive skylight, allowing plenty of natural light to flow in. The only downside is that you’ll need to become a member of the 24/7 gym to use the pool, which isn’t cheap.
One time free trial, one-time one month trial at RMB 999, subsequently 12-month membership at RMB 17,500. Daily 6am-11pm. 5/F, Hotel Jen Beijing, 1 Jianguomen Waidajie, Chaoyang District (6505 2277)
新国贸饭店：朝阳区建国门外大街1号
Palm Springs
Best for: Hanging out by the pool with friends
Located south of Chaoyang Park, the Palm Springs International Apartment complex has two indoor swimming pools: a large 45m x 20m pool with a maximum depth of 1.8 meters and a smaller heated, round pool. Beach chairs line the main window, and the ceiling is decorated to look like the sky, which may almost trick you into believing that you're outside.
RMB 350, RMB 5,188 for the season. Daily 7.30am-9pm. Palm Springs International Apartment, 8 Chaoyang Gongyuannan Lu, Chaoyang District (6539 8888)
棕榈泉国际公寓园区：朝阳区朝阳公园南路8号
A version of this article first appeared in the Beijinger in July 2017.
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Photos courtesy of Trainyard, 21 Hotel, 55tuan, Dianping (1, 2), Baike, Beijing Real Estates
