Say “Hong Kong,” and the first thing that comes to mind might not be swimming pools. However, this high-rise city actually has a ton of picturesque spots to take a dip in the water – from the world’s highest pool to a natural infinity pool on a mountainside. Here, we round up Hong Kong’s best (and coolest) pools.
Whether it’s blazing sun or insufferable humidity, summers in Hong Kong can be brutally hot. And on those sweltering days, there’s no better way to cool down than by taking a refreshing swim in one of the city’s many public swimming pools. But with so many crowded pools to choose from, it can be hard to find a spot without a wait – and that’s especially true this year.
According to the Hong Kong Recreation and Sports Professionals General Union, around 20 public swimming pools may only partially open this summer because of a shortage of lifeguards. The government has promised to address the issue by increasing the salary of seasonal lifeguards and recruiting new lifeguards on two-year contracts. Nevertheless, the situation has left many swimmers worried about going for a swim this summer.
In addition to the shortage of lifeguards, Hong Kong’s pools have also been plagued by overcrowding. A recent study found that the average attendance at the country’s nine public parks exceeded capacity by an alarming amount, with the highest crowd levels being observed at the Kowloon Park swimming pool. The study was conducted by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department using a validated systematic observation instrument over 72 days, covering a total of 288 park observation sessions.
The study analyzed a total of 2144 park visitors in 262 diverse areas, including a wide range of swimming pools, and found that on average, there were 99 people per observation session during the summer season. During the winter period, this figure dropped to just 49 people per session, and was much lower in the pools.
Fortunately, several new swimming pools have opened recently in the city, including the newly renovated Wan Chai Swimming Pool, which replaced an older pool that was demolished to make room for the Exhibition Centre station of the Sha Tin to Central Link. In addition, the government has plans to build a new pool in Tin Shui Wai North, as the town’s existing pools are already very crowded.
To beat the crowds and avoid waiting in long lines at swimming pools, it is recommended to purchase a monthly public pool ticket ($150) before heading out to your favorite watering hole. These tickets are valid for six months and can be used at any of the city’s 23 public pools, except for the Tai Po Public Pool. This ticket also gives you access to the ice-skating rink and the indoor swimming pool at the Olympic Swimming Complex. To find out more about these passes, visit the Hong Kong pools website.