The summer months in Hong Kong are nothing short of brutal. The blazing sun and insufferable humidity can make it almost impossible to get through the day without feeling sticky, sweaty and uncomfortable. Luckily, there are plenty of options to beat the heat and cool down. From shopping mall swimming pools to luxe hotel pools, here are 10 of the best hongkong pools to visit this summer.
The pool at The Peninsula Hong Kong
Looking like something out of a Gatsby movie, this lavish pool at The Peninsula Hong Kong is the perfect place to indulge in some luxury lounging. With marbled Roman columns, striped lounge chairs and stunning views of the harbour, this is one pool that is truly unmissable. Guests can enjoy the stunning scenery from the indoor and outdoor pools, or relax on the deckchairs while sipping on a drink and enjoying some people watching.
Swimming is a popular sport in Hong Kong, where there are some 10,000 competitive swimmers and millions more who do the activity for leisure purposes. The restrictions on swimming imposed because of the coronavirus crisis have left many fans in despair, as the ban has also prevented them from keeping fit and participating in social activities. The Hong Kong Amateur Swimming Association has warned that the ban will have a catastrophic effect on elite swimmers in a few years time.
Although the ban on beaches and pools has been lifted in Hong Kong, a shortage of lifeguards means that many public pools are only partially open, with some lanes or facilities reserved for instruction being closed. The city’s union representatives have voiced fears that this will affect class cancellations and put the city’s sports development at risk. According to the chairman of the Hong Kong Recreation and Sports Professionals General Union, 20 of the city’s 45 public pools have already told their swimming clubs that they would not be able to operate all their facilities this summer.
In order to ensure that the swimming pools reopen fully, the LCSD will have to increase the number of lifeguards in the coming weeks. A spokesman said that the department was working hard to recruit more lifeguards and that it would try to have all its pools open by the end of the month.
The entrance fee for public swimming pools in Hong Kong is HK$17 per adult on weekdays and HK$19 on weekends. Those with disabilities, the elderly over 60 or between the ages of 3 and 13, as well as full-time students can get in for free. The spokesman added that more details on the opening of all the pools would be released as soon as possible. The HKFP has also advised the public to check online for any updates on the reopening of pools. In addition, it is also a good idea to follow the local news for any further announcements. The reopening of the pools is expected to boost tourism in Hong Kong as more visitors will come to visit these amazing attractions.