It's sweltering outside and a day at the pool sure sounds like a real nice idea about now. Luckily there's no shortage of outdoor pools around town where you can cool down.
Whether you're looking for a sandy beach, a sun-filled party spot or a child-friendly pool with fun slides, our list has it all.
So grab your goggles, slap on some sunscreen and blow up those floaties – it's time to take a dip!
Newly Updated...
Ambassy Club Pudong
Sister to the Xuhui private club, on the other side of the river, this outdoor resort-styled swimming pool and poolside patio is another child-magnet come summertime,
Part of comprehensive leisure and sports facilities with our personalized service, you can also enjoy yourself in the indoor swimming pool all year round, childrens play pool and Jacuzzi. Professional swimming coaches and lessons are available.
Officially members only, one-time member guest day passes are RMB500 for an adult, RMB200 for kids, but you can get a special deal on Dianping for RMB298 for one adult and one child.
Open: June 1-Oct 7
Hours: 9am-9pm
Cost: Members only (which includes full gym and swimming pool access). Annual membership RMB8,000 for an adult; RMB14,000 for one adult and one child.
Ambassy Club, 588 Hongfeng Lu, by Mingyue Lu 红枫路588号, 近明月路.
InterContinental Shanghai Harbour City
Located on the South Island of the Iconic Dishui Lake, the new InterContinental Shanghai Harbour City boasts a truly urban resort experience with four swimming pools all open to the public, an indoor heated pool and three outdoor pools: a stunning heated infinity pool that allows a spectacular view over the lake; a large childrens pool; and a full size adult pool are all located on the lake edge.
Day usage passes are available as well as quarterly, semi annual and annual memberships. The pool is serviced by a full stocked bar and kitchen to ensure you are kept nourished while you enjoy the facilities.
Open: Until the end of October
Hours: 9am-7pm
Cost: RMB220 a day adult, RMB100 a day child
InterContinental Shanghai Harbour City, No. 1 South Island, Lingang New City, by Huanhu Xi San Lu 地址 临港新城南岛1号, 近环湖西三路.
JW Marriott Shanghai Tomorrow Square
Conveniently located in the center of the city, the JW Marriott Shanghai Tomorrow Square outdoor pool is the perfect spot for a sophisticated snooze and tan.
Open: May-October
Hours: 8.30am-9.30pm
Cost: RMB270 adult, RMB169 child (4-12 years old)
JW Marriott Shanghai Tomorrow Square, 399 Nanjing Xi Lu, by Huangpi Bei Lu 南京西路399号, 近黄陂北路.
Mandarin City
With a swim-up bar that serves drinks and food, this was a perennial Shanghai summer hot spot. Sadly, apparent management issues had seen it fall into disrepair, then it was back for a brief flicker of summer... and then shut down again!
(For being unlicensed, apparently)
Open: Denied
Hours: Denied
Cost: Denied
Mandarin City, 1129 Guyang Lu, by Shuicheng Nan Lu 古羊路1129号, 近水城南路.
Viscaya Club
Look sexy in the sun at this Spanish-style villa complex. The pool is pretty shallow (0.8-1.5 meters) but large and impressive and even the kids’ side pool is something to ogle. The indoor pool is similarly sized and heated, so even when the temperature begins to fall, you can still escape to this saucy spot.
Open: May 27-Sep 10
Hours: May, June & Sep: Weekday 12-7pm. Weekend 10am-7pm; July & August: 10am-7pm
Cost: RMB198 for day pass; RMB368 for 2 people, RMB528 for 2 adults & 1 child; RMB658 for 2 adults & 2 children
Group Purchase: Buy 30 tickets at one time and the price is RMB158 each; buy 60 tickets at one time and the price is RMB128 each*
*Price validaty period: June 1-30; tickets validaty period: June 1-Sep 10
Tried & True...
Amara Signature Shanghai
Location! Location! Location!
The Amara Signature Shanghai hotel has built up quite the fanbase due to it's positioning just off party street Jiaozhou Lu. There have a small kid's pool too, for the little party people.
Open: From... now!
Hours: 8am-6pm
Cost: RMB198 weekdays; RMB238 weekend; half price for children under 12; monthly membership RMB2,980; season membership RMB3,980; half year membership RMB4,600; annual membership RMB6,600, including gym and swimming pool access.
Amara Signature Shanghai, 600 Changshou Lu, by Jiaozhou Lu 地址 长寿路600号, 近胶州路.
Ambassy Club Puxi
Slides, fountains and pool play-things galore, this Xuhui private club turns into a child-magnet come summertime... but you can drop in during the week for a quieter experience.
The excellent location keeps us coming back year on year and, after a no guest policy last year, one-time member guest day passes will once again be available this year for RMB300 an adult and RMB160 a kid.
Open: May 13-Oct 10
Hours: 9am-6pm after June 21, 11am-6pm before then
Cost: Members only (which includes all their facilities). Three-months summer membership (2 adults, 2 children) RMB6,000; annual membership RMB7,000 (single) and RMB13,800 (family).
Ambassy Club, 1500 Huaihai Zhong Lu, by Wulumuqi Zhong Lu 淮海中路1500号, 近乌鲁木齐中路.
Handwritten Collection Hotel
(Formerly Sofitel Shanghai Sheshan Oriental)
Dotted with islands and playgrounds, the outdoor swimming pool extends 4,400 square meters and is bordered by a beach (with real sand imported from Vietnam, so it is said).
The poolside bar offers beer, Champagne and cocktails, and there is also an indoor heated swimming pool.
Open: May 1-Oct 10
Hours: 9:30am-7pm
Cost: Free for hotel and brunch guests; RMB300 for non-guests; half price for children
Handwritten Collection Hotel, 3388 Sichen Gong Lu, by Jiasong Zhong Lu 泗泾镇泗陈公路3388弄东方佘山索菲特大酒店, 近嘉松中路.
Jinshan Urban Beach
Pools are for show, beaches are for pros. None of that 'imported' sand stuff here. This is Chinese sand... and proud!
If you want to dive into the sea, frolic in the waves and enjoy fresh seafood, take the trip out to this Shanghai suburb.
You have to pay a bit more to get on the beach in the summer (a whopping RMB50), but it's a lot nicer at this time of year!
Open: June 20-Sep 10
Hours: 8.30am-8.30pm
Cost: RMB30 weekdays; RMB50 weekend; half price for children 1.3m-1.5m; free for children under 1.3m; annual membership available – contact management for more details
Jinshan Urban Beach, 5 Xincheng Lu, by Huhang Gonglu 新城路5号, 近沪杭公路.
New Star
Not only do they offer hot tubs, cool baths, steam and dry saunas, showers, a restaurant and a lounge, but you can get a workout in at the gym or go for an afternoon snooze in one of their cabanas.
An exceptional deal, even if it is located a little out west.
Open: May-Oct
Hours: 7am-9pm
Cost: RMB88 for adults, half price for child 0.9m-1.4m, free for children under 0.9m
New Star, 258 Jinhui Nan Lu, by Wuzhong Lu 金汇南路258弄1号, 近吴中路.
Playa Maya
A huge water park out in Songjiang with countless slides (just look at them!), wave pools and everything else you'd expect from a massive, super-fun water park.
Open: From... now!
Hours: 10am-7pm weekdays; 10am-8pm weekend and holidays
Cost: RMB180 for adults; children under 1.2m or under 5 years old free
Playa Maya, 888 Linhu Lu, by Linyin Da Dao 镇林湖路888号, 近林荫大道.
Purple Mountain Hotel
This round rooftop pool throws parties every summer. When the atmosphere isn't filled with pumpin' beats and party-goers, it's a great place to catch some sun.
Luckily, the skyscrapers don't block the rays. There's also a kiddie pool that'll keep the little ones entertained.
Open: From June 15
Hours: TBC
Cost: TBC
Purple Mountain Hotel, 778 Dongfang Lu, by Zhangyang Lu 东方路778号, 近张杨路.
Shanghai Grand Plaza
It might be small, and it's not as fancy as some of the other cool pools in town, but it's cheap, convenient, and an easy place to reel in a group of friends to gather here.
Open: From May
Hours: 9am-9pm
Cost: RMB150 weekdays; RMB200 weekend; RMB80 children under 1.2m
Shanghai Grand Plaza, 568 Julu Lu, by Shaanxi Nan Lu 巨鹿路568号, 近陕西南路.
Shanghai Sun Island Golf & Spa Resort
Surf's up dude! This massive pool makes waves with its 'real imported sand' beaches and twisty slides.
Make it a day trip or luxury weekend getaway, you can also go rock climbing, play on their 36-hole golf course, rent go-karts and ride horses.
Open: From June 1
Hours: 9.30am-4.30pm weekdays; 9.30am-6.30pm weekend
Cost: RMB79 adult; RMB59 child
Shanghai Sun Island Golf & Spa Resort, 2588 Shentai Lu 沈太路2588号
Shimao Riviera Garden Pool
This location offers plenty of swimming space and a good-sized stretch of beach. When we head here, we stay all day. A few volleyball courts are usually set up and they have a wave machine they turn on for extra fun.
There's also a workout pool inside, but when the sun is beating down on the sand, you won't find too many people swimming in those lanes.
Open: June-Sep
Hours: 7am-9.30pm
Cost: RMB200 adult; RMB100 child
Shimao Riviera Garden Pool, 1-2 Weifang Xi Lu, by Pucheng Lu 地址 潍坊西路1-2号, 近浦成路.
W Shanghai - The Bund
Indulge yourself on the deck at W Shanghai – The Bund with views of the spectacular Shanghai skyline.
Offering loungers, snacks and a poolside bar, this is a excellent option for parents and children alike, and is also a favorite for Instagram snappers.
Open: Apr-Nov
Hours: 10am-6pm
Cost: Free for guests; annual membership RMB22,000 per person; family annual membership (2 adults, 2 children) RMB35,000
W Shanghai - The Bund, 66 Lvshun Lu, by Machang Lu 旅顺路66号, 近马厂路.
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Contact Christy via email at christycai@t
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