Hong Kong PoolsHong Kong Pools
There’s no better way to beat the heat in Hong Kong than by cooling off in one of the city’s spectacular pools. Whether you’re looking for somewhere to soak up the sun and relax or to swim some laps, these pools are sure to have something for everyone.
With a beautiful location on the water’s edge, The Kerry hotel’s infinity pool offers jaw-dropping views over the harbour. Non-hotel guests can purchase a day pass to the pool for $500 on weekdays and $700 at weekends. Stay until sunset and you can grab a drink and nibbles at Red Sugar, our favourite al fresco bar by the pool.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can test your balance on one of the four waterslides. The biggest one is a thrilling 9 metres high, which will send you speeding down at a speed of up to 50 km per hour. The pool complex is also home to a children’s playground, which includes two mushroom and tree-shaped fountains, and a splash pad.
The only public swimming pool in the southern district, this spacious venue looks out onto the Tolo Harbour. The venue has a main pool along with spectator stands that can hold 1,200 people. There are also a number of smaller training and teaching pools, as well as a toddler’s pool filled with whimsical water installations like mushroom and tree-shaped fountains. There are also four waterslides, two of which are said to be the fastest in the city.
When the Urban Council and Regional Council disbanded at the end of the millennium, operations of the city’s public swimming pools moved over to the newly formed Leisure and Cultural Services Department. This is where they remain today.
Despite their popularity, not all the city’s public pools are in pristine condition. Several have been shut down due to safety issues, which is a real shame considering the fact that swimming is a popular activity here. However, we can’t ignore the fact that the city is experiencing a shortage of lifeguards, especially at the more popular pools.
Thankfully, the situation is improving. The government is introducing different measures to tackle the problem, including increasing lifeguard salaries and recruiting lifeguards on two-year contracts. This will hopefully alleviate the situation in time for the summer season. Nevertheless, the city’s public swimming pools still require a significant investment to maintain their good condition and keep up with the demand for safety measures. In the meantime, let’s pray for sunny days ahead! Thanks for reading!