Escape the Heat in BJ's Best Indoor and Outdoor Swimming Pools

原创 Tracy W. theBeijinger

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 水立方嬉水乐园
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.
Daily 10am-7pm
RMB 260 (adults), RMB 220 (kids between 1.2m and 1.5m), Free (kids below 1.2m)
11 Tianchen Donglu (in the Olympic Park, near the Bird's Nest), Chaoyang District
朝阳区北四环中路奥林匹克公园内（近鸟巢）
(010) 8437 8966

Dongdan Swimming Pool 东单游泳馆（奥佳游泳培训班）
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.
Tue-Fri 10am-9pm
RMB 50, RMB 30 (students), RMB 20 (kids)
A2 Dahua Lu, Dongcheng District
东城区东单大华路甲2号
(010) 6523 1241

Yingdong Natatorium (Olympic Sports Center) 英东游泳馆
Best for: Experienced swimmers
This professional Olympic-sized swimming pool features 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 beginners. Another bonus is that you'll never get too hot nor too chilly as the water temperature is set to a balmy 28 Celcius degrees throughout the year. Bathing caps are mandatory for all swimmers.
Mon-Sun 9am-9pm
RMB 50, RMB 20 (kids) for a single use, RMB 890 for 25 uses
1 Anding Lu, Olympic Village, Haidian District
海淀区亚运村安定路1号奥体中心
158 1000 7578

Sino-Japanese Friendship Center (21st Century Theater) 二十一世纪饭店游泳馆
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.
Mon-Sun 9am-9.30pm
RMB 98, RMB 66 (kids) for a single use, discount for multi-swim purchases
40 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区亮马桥路40号
(010) 6466 4805

Tuanjiehu Water Park 团结湖新海滨乐园
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 tempt a 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.
Daily 10.30am-8.30pm

RMB 60 (weekdays), RMB 80 (weekends)

16 Tuanjiehu Nanli, East Third Ring Road, Chaoyang District
朝阳区团结湖南里16号东三环路

(010) 8597 4677

Chaoyang Park 朝阳公园沙滩浴场
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.
Daily 9am-9pm
RMB 90 (weekdays), RMB 60 (6-9pm on weekdays), RMB 140 (weekends)
1 Nongzhangaun Nanlu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区农展馆南路1号

Chenjinglun Middle School 陈经纶中学
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.
Daily 10am-10pm
RMB 1,800 for 60 uses, or RMB 2,500 for 100 uses
38 Chaowai Dajie, Chaoyang District
朝阳区朝外大街38号
(010) 8561 1983

Trainyard 新国贸饭店
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.
Daily 6am-11pm
One time free trial, one-time one month trial at RMB 999, subsequently 12-month membership at RMB 17,500
5/F, Hotel Jen Beijing, 1 Jianguomen Waidajie, Chaoyang District
朝阳区建国门外大街1号
(010) 6505 2277

Palm Springs 棕榈泉国际公寓园区
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.
Daily 7.30am-9pm

RMB 350, RMB 5,188 for the season

Palm Springs International Apartment, 8 Chaoyang Gongyuannan Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区朝阳公园南路8号

(010) 6539 8888

A version of this article first appeared in the Beijinger in July 2017.

Photos courtesy of Trainyard, 21-Hotel.com, 55tuan, Dianping.com, Baike.baidu.com