When you think of Hong Kong, shopping and dim sum are likely the first things that come to mind. But the city is also known for its fantastic swimming pools. From the world’s highest pool to natural infinity ponds on mountainside, Hong Kong is packed with picturesque spots to cool off.
Despite the blazing sunshine, insufferable humidity and torrential rain, a dip in a local pool might be the best way to beat the heat this summer. And with so many options to choose from, we’ve rounded up the city’s best public pools and hotels with their own stunning water park-style facilities.
One of the most scenic pools in the city is this stunning indoor complex in Tung Chung. Its unique seashell-like design allows for plenty of natural sunlight to flow through, while enhancing ventilation. There’s also an outdoor swimming pool where you can see Ngong Ping cable cars passing by, and a terrace that provides spectacular views of the bay area.
Located in the Wong Chuk Hang neighborhood, Pao Yue Kong Swimming Pool is a vast complex with pools of all sizes. Whether you want to swim laps, practice your diving or let the kids have fun, this place has something for everyone. The main pool is surrounded by full length glass windows, offering spectacular views of the city skyline from almost 500 meters above the street.
Another great option is the Kennedy Town swimming pool, which was a reprovisioning project that opened in 2017. Designed by MTR Corporation and built for the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, this large complex has several pools of various shapes and sizes, including an open pool, a diving pool and two kid-friendly pools. It also features a number of water features and sprinklers to keep the kids entertained.
While the Kennedy Town swimming pool is a welcome addition to the city’s pool scene, it’s important to note that Hong Kong is rapidly running out of freshwater. The city consumes nearly a billion cubic metres of water every year, which is enough to fill about 400,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools. To counter this problem, the city is exploring ways to save water by harvesting sewage and rainwater, as well as treating shower and sink water for non-potable uses.
As the weather starts to warm up, a trip to one of Hong Kong’s beautiful public or hotel pools could be just the ticket. With its stunning surroundings, these pools will help you forget all about the sweltering streets and traffic jams. So pack your swimsuit, head to the nearest pool and have a blast in one of Hong Kong’s best swimming pools.
