The mercury is rising, and though Beijing may be well over a hundred kilometers from the sea, this landlocked city has plenty of pools, water parks, and artificial beaches to cool down in. Whether your family wants to soak up the sun or chill out in the shade, splash about energetically or float serenely by, immerse yourself in the best selection of indoor and outdoor venues on offer and whitewash the swelter.
WATER PARKS
Tuanjiehu Water Park
Centrally located, this artificial beach is one of Beijing’s worst-kept secrets. Packed on the weekends, the pool includes two small (but fun) slides, a deep-end swimming pool, a play area for toddlers, and a large beach pool. The snack bar sells Chinese snacks, chuan’r, and beer – but we recommend packing your own picnic. The water facilities are linked up with a 24-hour filtering device.
Cost: RMB 50 (weekdays), RMB 60 (weekends)
Opening hours and contact information: Daily 10.15am-8pm. 16 Tuanjiehu Nanli, East Third Ring Road, Chaoyang District (8597 4677)
朝阳区团结湖南里16号，东三环东团结湖公园内
Crab Island
Fishing, go-karting, a zoo, an organic farm, aqua bumper boats, a lazy river, a wave pool, and an artificial beach; City Seaview. Concession stands sell assorted drinks (including beer) and chuan’r. Alternatively, head to one of the restaurants within the park or stock up on snacks and drinks from the mini-mart across from City Seaview’s entrance. Water is continuously circulated, filtered, and sterilized.
Cost: RMB 60 (adults), RMB 40 (kids between 1m and 1.4m), Free (kids below 1m).
Opening hours and contact information: Daily 9am-8pm. 1 Xiedao Lu, Chaoyang District. (Take the Weigou Exit off the Airport Expressway and follow the signs.) (8433 5566/5588) www.xiedao.com 蟹岛绿色生态度假村,
朝阳区蟹岛路1号
Qingnianhu
A combination water park and public pool, which offers water slides and man-made waterfalls of different intensities to keep you entertained. Water typically reaches depths of 1.5m, but there are also shallow pools for kids. When hunger strikes, there are two Chinese cafeteria-style eateries located inside the park.
Cost: RMB 40 (adults and kids above 1.3m), RMB 30 (kids below 1.3m)
Opening hours and contact information: Daily 9am-5pm. Andingmen
Waidajie, Dongcheng District (8411 6321) 东城区安定门外大街
For information on Water Cube Water Park, turn to p32.
HOTEL POOLS
The Emperor at Qianmen
An outdoor rooftop pool facing the Forbidden City.
Cost: RMB 258 (three hours)
Opening hours and contact information: Daily 11am-midnight. 87 Xianyukou Jie, Qianmen Commercial Centre, Chaoyang District (6526 5566)
朝阳区鲜鱼口街87号
The Kempinski Hotel Beijing Pulse Health Club
An indoor pool with a view. Located on the 18th floor, and overlooking the Sanlitun embassy area and the northeastern part of the city.
Cost: RMB 300 (adults), RMB 150 (kids under 15)
Opening hours and contact information: Daily, 6am-10pm. 50 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District (6465 3388) 朝阳区亮马桥路50号
PUBLIC POOLS
Dongdan Swimming Pool
This indoor swimming pool has great facilities and is well-managed, making it one of the city’s best public pools. Water is on a filtration system.
Cost: RMB 50 (adults), RMB 30 (kids and students)
Opening hours and contact information: Daily 10am-9pm. A2 Dahua Lu, Dongcheng District (6523 1241) 东城区东单大华路甲2号
Gongti Swimming Pool
Clean and centrally located, however changing rooms are totally public.
Cost: RMB 40 (adults)
Opening hours and contact information: Daily 10am-8.30pm (last entry 8pm). 51 Xingfucun, (west side street, behind middle school, off Xinfucun Zhong Lu), Chaoyang District (6501 2369) 朝阳区幸福村中路51号
Sino-Japanese Friendship Center (21st Century Theater)
An indoor Olympic-sized swimming pool filtered using a mild salt solution, eliminating chlorine irritation and smell. Bathing caps mandatory.
Cost: RMB 98 for a single use, discount for multi-swim purchases
Opening hours and contact information: Mon-Sun 9am-9pm. 40 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District (6466 4805)
朝阳区亮马桥路40号.
This article originally appeared on pages 52-53 of the beijingkids July 2015 issue. Click here to read the issue for free on Issuu.com. To find out how you can get your own copy, email distribution@truerun.com.
Photos: Courtesy of Kara Chin and The Kempinski Hotel Beijing
