It’s summertime, which means
it’s way too hot outside. If you’ve got a hankering for a refreshing
pool day – and we know we do – Beijing has got some pretty cool options.
Here are a few of our picks for the best places to relax from the
sweltering heat and take a nice dip in the city this summer. And if
you're really serious, check out our guide on how to have the perfect pool day in Beijing.
Qingnianhu Park Water World
Qingnianhu
Park Water World is the perfect place if you’re in the Gulou area, and
it's especially great for families. It’s a huge 1.5 hectare park filled
with tons of pools, slides, hot tubs and water-themed play things. It
also happens to be listed as one of China’s top eight water parks. Not
too shabby.
Open: Daily, 9am-5pm
Cost: RMB40 (adults), RMB30 (children)
See a listing for Qingnianhu Park Water World
Tuanjiehu Water Park
Located
in the heart of Chaoyang, the Tuanjiehu Water Park has over 10,000
square meters of water. Yep, that's a lot of water. This place is
massive and thankfully it opens on July 1, just in time for summer. The
massive park has all sorts of fun amenities – think wave pool, swimming
pools, water slides and an artificial beach. It’s a great place for
adults and kids alike, though it can get a bit crowded during the
summer.
Open: 6.30am-9pm
Cost: RMB80 on weekdays; RMB100 on weekends
See a listing for Tuanjiehu Water Park
Seaview Park
Crab
Island is the largest water park in Beijing, complete with a fake sandy
beach, a wave pool, lazy rivers and six swimming pools. For those
looking for a little adrenaline rush, there are two water slides. One is
20 meters long and actually goes pretty fast. The other is a
30-meter-long slide that’s full of twists and turns. But if you’re just
looking to relax, sunbathing on the beach works too.
Open: Daily 9am-9pm
Cost: RMB60 (adults), RMB40 (kids under 1.4m), free (kids below 1m)
See a listing for Seaview Park
Emperor Beijing Qianmen
If you’re looking for a pool with a view then this is the place
to go. The luxurious pool is perched on the rooftop of the Emperor
Hotel and overlooks the Forbidden City of all places. Can you ask for
more? It's a bit pricey but definitely worth the splurge.
Open: Daily 11am-midnight
Cost: RMB258 (three hours)
See a listing for Emperor Beijing Qianmen
Happy Magic Water Cube
Even
the name makes us happy. This is definitely a water park you have to
see to believe. The indoor park was built in the official aquatic center
for the 2008 Summer Olympics. The water wonderland is filled with crazy
colors, trippy slides and an AquaLoop ride. It’s a great place for
adults and kids alike. And it is truly a one-of-a-kind water park.
Open: Daily 10am-9pm
Cost: RMB260 (adults), RMB220 (kids between 1.2m and 1.5m)
See a listing for Happy Magic Water Cube
Liulang Natatorium
Liulang
Natatorium is a pool that calls itself a natatorium. Located in
Haidian – near the south gate of the Summer Palace – Liulang Natatorium
boasts one of the best pools in the city.
Open: Daily 10am-7pm
Cost: RMB30
See a listing for Liulang Natatorium
Chaoyang Park
Of course Chaoyang Park has a swimming pool. That's not all – the enormous park has a man-made beach and a water park too.
Open: Daily 9am-9.30pm
Cost: RMB90 on weekdays, RMB140 on weekends
See a listing for Chaoyang Park