Outdoor swimming in our polluted megacity? No problem. Get your bikinis ready - you can have a rad day poolside in Beijing. Here's how, in six steps.
Pick a pool.
Here at That’s Beijing, we love the Qingnianhu Park Water World near Andingmen for budget, crowd-pleasing fun. (Two waterslides, rentable floating toys and a kiddie pool, all for RMB40? Done.) But there are plenty of pools throughout Beijing, from the luxurious (check out the Emperor Hotel Qianmen) and the convenient (Tuanjiehu Water Park), to the family-friendly (Crab Island - a sprawling complex of pools and rides).
Pack snacks…
Jenny Lou’s, Carrefour, your local fruit market – you know what to do. But if the prospect of grocery shopping on your pool day is just a little too daunting, then have someone do it for you. Several Beijing restaurants (like The Rug) offer pre-packed lunch baskets, and even Baidu Waimai delivers to several area parks.
…and booze.
We love grabbing six packs as much as the next person. But there's so much more to poolside boozing than lukewarm Yanjings. Pack a cooler full of sparkling; grab a growler of one of Beijing's best craft beers; or, if you really want to do it big, get a keg. (Note: Fancier pools will nix this, but we brought all of the aforementioned drinks, plus a Jing-A keg, to Qingnianhu, you know, to test it out for you.)
Check the smog levels.
Sigh, Beijing. No one likes swimming on a polluted day. (Not to mention, there’s no way you’ll get a tan when the AQI is over 100.) But then again – nobody appreciates a clear day like a Beijinger, so if the quality’s good, pack your sunscreen and enjoy. Relevant side note: It is possible to tan here.
Order some shades.
And no, we don’t mean the crappy knock-off kind you have to haggle for. Get some lenses with UV-ray protection. We’re obsessed with the Beijing-based, feel-good sunglass company Mantra (WeChat ID: findyourmantra), who we profiled in our July issue.
Stock up on pool toys.
This is a must if you have kids. It’s also kinda a must if you don’t have kids. Inflatable pool toys are dope, and there is a veritable wonderland of options on Taobao. We invested in an inflatable pizza slice, and haven’t looked back since.
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