The Hong Kong summer is no picnic – from the blazing sun to the insufferable humidity, the heat will leave you feeling sweaty and sticky. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to cool off. You can lounge in a mall air-conditioned shopping center, try your hand at watersports or head to some of the city’s most beautiful hotel pools. Whether you like to lap a pool in the morning before work, or prefer to relax with a drink and watch the sunset over a heated rooftop pool, Hong Kong has got you covered.
The outdoor swimming pools at the Wan Chai Sports Ground are a popular destination for locals and visitors alike. The huge complex includes a lap pool, diving and training pools and two smaller children’s pools with water features and sprinklers. There are also hot showers, private changing cubicles and lockers, and a snack bar. The only downside is that the lane markers aren’t clearly marked, so it can be difficult to know where to swim.
A newer addition to the hk pools scene is the Wan Chai Olympic Pool. Located in the heart of Wan Chai, this modern complex was designed by Terry Farrell and Partners and opened to the public in February along Victoria Harbour. The spaceship-like structure took eight years to come to fruition and cost $671 million HK ($86 million U.S.). Despite the high price tag, the pool has already become a popular attraction for swimmers, tourists and locals alike.
While the swanky hotel pools may be the most beautiful, some of the hk’s best pool experiences are at public pools. Located all over the city, these well-maintained and spacious swimming pools are a great way to escape the Hong Kong heat. The Kowloon Park Swimming Pool, for example, was designed by a consortium of designers that included Derek Walker and Associates from the UK and Simon Kwan and Associates. The complex was completed in 1989 and originally managed by the Urban Council, but when the Urban Council was disbanded at the end of the millennium, the management of all public swimming pools fell under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.
To enjoy all the benefits of a public pool, purchase a monthly ticket for HK$300 from a participating venue. The ticket must display the name of the holder, the date of issue and the issuing venue. Afterwards, you can walk to nearby restaurants like Wing Lai Yuen Sichuan Noodles for a hearty meal. The best part about this pool is the views of the cityscape that it offers every time you rise for air. This is one of the best vantage points to see the picture-perfect skyline of Hong Kong.