With sweltering temperatures, it’s easy to see why swimming is one of Hong Kong’s favourite activities. But the city’s pools aren’t just great for cooling off; some of them offer some of the most breath-taking views in town!
Whether you want to take a dip in an indoor pool or splash around outdoors, we’ve got you covered with this list of the best hongkong pools. From a mega water play area to a swimming pool overlooking Ngong Ping cable cars, here are some of the best places to cool down this summer!
While sweltering heat is all too common, many public swimming pools across the city have been unable to open during the summer due to a shortage of lifeguards. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) slashed its lifeguard workforce by almost half in 2004 and it has been struggling to catch up since then. Many pools have even had to remove protest signage that was erected to express the lifeguards’ displeasure over the situation.
The union warns that children will be affected if lessons are cancelled and other pool users could face long queues if the facilities are only partially opened. It also says that if pools do not fully reopen in time, the city’s sports development will be severely affected as well. “It will be a real shame to see the city’s pool culture lose its momentum,” said Lee Yuet-man, chairman of the Recreation and Sport Professionals General Union.
In the 1980s, the Urban Council started building more fun pools to appeal to a wider audience who no longer considered swimming as just a form of exercise. These pools were designed with free-form shapes, toys and other fun features that turned swimming into a family and social activity. The TST East and Kwun Tong pools were examples of these types of pools that were built in the era.
The newest addition to the city’s pool scene is the Victoria Park Swimming Pool, which opened on 1 April 2011. This $800 million facility was funded by the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club and is named after Pao Yue-Kong, the founder of the Jockey Club. It features an outdoor 50 metre pool and the largest swimming pool spectator stand in Hong Kong, seating up to 2,500 people. Its unique architectural design was inspired by the seashell and a wave, featuring a transparent tensile membrane roof that maximizes sunlight while minimising glare. The pool also boasts an underwater lighting system to create a dramatic nighttime swimming experience. Guests can also enjoy a wide range of recreational and wellness facilities such as saunas, steam rooms and gyms. A cafe and snack bar are also located on the ground floor of the building. The pool is a short walk from the MTR station. Parking is available nearby for a small fee. The building’s solar panels generate enough power to run the pool pumps and other energy-saving features. The building is also highly insulated and has a high thermal performance.