Temperatures are sweltering in Guangzhou these days and a refreshing escape is in order. If you're looking for us this summer, you'll find us poolside (a cocktail may or may not be in hand) at one of these amazing destinations in our fair city.

1. Conrad Guangzhou (indoor)

Located on the hotel’s sixth floor, the heated indoor 25-meter swimming pool is open from 6am till 11pm, alongside two outdoor Jacuzzis. 

Open: Daily, 6am-11pm
Cost: RMB443 (pool and fitness center day pass), RMB7,888(quarterly membership), RMB15,888, (half-year membership), RMB25,800 (annual membership), RMB45,800 (couple's annual membership) 

See listing for Conrad Guangzhou.

2. Crowne Plaza Guangzhou Science City (indoor and outdoor)

A little ways from the city center, this hotel’s 36-meter by 23-meter dolphin-bottom outdoor pool is well worth the journey (at RMB98 for a day pass the price is certainly right, anyway). There is also an indoor pool and both are open year-round! 

Open: Daily, 7am-10.30pm
Cost: RMB98 (day pass), RMB58 (kids)

See listing for Crowne Plaza Guangzhou Science City.

3. E Coffee (outdoor)

As the name suggests, this is a coffee shop. Perhaps strangely, it is also the site of a pretty kickass pool. Famous for Dragon Boat relays (seriously) and boozy pool parties, this pool is a place to see and be seen in your coolest swimming garb. Children visiting the pool must be taller than 1.2 meters. 

Open: All summer, 7-9am, 2-4pm, 6-9pm
Cost: RMB35 (day pass) 

See listing for E Coffee.

4. Grand Hyatt Guangzhou (indoor)

Located on the top floor of the hotel, the Grand Hyatt’s 25-meter free-form swimming pool is surrounded by large windows and enjoys stunning city views. Male and female changing rooms with lockers are available, together with a sauna, whirlpool, cold plunge pool and grooming stations. 

Open: Daily, 7am-10pm
Cost: RMB380 per visit (Minimum purchase of 10 visits) 

See listing for Grand Hyatt Guangzhou.

5. Guangdong Olympic Stadium (indoor)

Used for the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, the spacious swimming pool in the Guangdong Olympic Stadium is housed in a modern, blue-and-white structure and is a popular venue for swimming and diving competitions and training. 

Open: Daily, 7-8.30am, 3.30-8pm 
Cost: RMB50 (day pass), RMB25 for children under 1.4 meters and elders over 60 years old, RMB1,000 for 30 entries, RMB3,880 (annual membership)

See listing Guangdong Olympic Stadium.

6. Guangzhou Chimelong Hotel (indoor)

Guangzhou Chimelong Hotel Thermal Spa Club was designed by one of the world’s best aquatic equipment companies, White Water West Industries. The facility hosts an indoor thermal swimming pool, Jacuzzi pools, a sauna and gym area and showers for men and women. 

The main pool ranges in depth from 1.4-1.7 meters and is not open to non-swimmers or children under 1.5 meters tall.

Open: Daily, 8am-noon, 3-9pm
Cost: RMB68 (day pass, for non-guests), RMB10,000 (morning only, annual membership), RMB18,000 (all-day annual membership) 

See listing for Guangzhou Chimelong Hotel.

7. Langham Place, Guangzhou (indoor)

Langham Place, Guangzhou's 24-meter heated indoor pool invites both energetic exercise and indulgent relaxation. Guests can power through laps, enjoy a leisurely swim or take advantage of the spacious deck and bask in the sunlight as it streams through the glass roof. In addition, there is a 0.6-meter-deep children’s pool. 

Open: Daily, 6.30am-10pm, open for in-house guests/members
Cost: No day pass, RMB18,000 (annual membership), RMB5,250 (30 visits)

See listing for Langham Place.

8. Mandarin Oriental, Guangzhou (outdoor)

The Mandarin Oriental, Guangzhou emits a certain elegance, and it should come as no surprise that this sophistication extends to the hotel’s 25-meter temperature-controlled outdoor pool. With simple, stylish patio furniture and fountains that look like they were literally stolen from a palace, this pool is your choice option for a classy, sunny day soak.

Open: Daily, 6am-10pm
Cost: RMB380 (day pass), RMB7250 (quarterly membership), RMB12,500 (half-year fitness membership), RMB21,000 (annual membership)

See listing for Mandarin Oriental, Guangzhou. 

9. Hotel Nikko Guangzhou (outdoor)

The swimming pool here is located around the back of the hotel’s main building, surrounded by stunning landscaping and an inviting patio. The whole outdoor pool area is 475 square meters and the 270-square-meter swimming pool includes an adult area, separate children’s pool and massage pool area.  

Open: Daily, 6am-10pm
Cost: RMB150 (day pass), RMB1,000 (10 visit card), RMB6,288 (annual membership)

See listing for Hotel Nikko Guangzhou.

10. Park Hyatt Guangzhou (indoor)

Open daily from 7am-10pm, Park Hyatt Guangzhou’s swimming pool is located on the hotel’s 63rd floor, along with the spa and massage pool. With wraparound floor-to-ceiling windows, a dip in the 25-meter (82-feet) infinity lap pool or heated whirlpool can feel like swimming in the sky.

Open: Daily, 7am-10pm
Cost: RMB600 (day pass) RMB30,000 (annual membership), RMB50,000 (couple’s annual membership)

See listing for Park Hyatt Guangzhou.

11. The Ritz-Carlton, Guangzhou (outdoor)

Looking for a Roman-style aquatic experience? We bet you didn’t even know that's a thing, but let us assure you it is, and you can experience it at the Ritz-Carlton! Pool guests can also enjoy use of the hotel’s fitness center and sauna room. 

Open: Daily, 5am-10pm
Cost: RMB424 (day pass), RMB369 (child pass)

See listing for The Ritz-Carlton, Guangzhou.

12. Shangri-La Hotel, Guangzhou (indoor and outdoor)

The Shangri-La Hotel, Guangzhou offers swimmers both indoor and outdoor ponds to choose from. And while we can’t comment on the indoor pool, we can say from experience that the outdoor swimming area is “pretty, pretty good,” to quote Larry David. 

Open: Daily, 6am-9pm (outdoor pool), 7am-9pm (indoor)
Cost: RMB400 (day pass), RMB5,888 (quarterly membership), RMB9,888 (couple’s quarterly membership) RMB24,888 (annual membership)

See listing for Shangri-La Hotel, Guangzhou.

13. Sheraton Guangzhou Hotel (outdoor)

Sheraton Guangzhou Hotel offers a 25-meter outdoor heated swimming pool located on the ninth floor of the hotel. The swimming pool area is flooded with natural light and has an impressive city view. There is also an outdoor sound system and a poolside bar! The spacious men’s and women’s changing rooms also feature steam and sauna rooms.

Swimming lessons are available for a little over RMB400 per class.

Open: Daily, 6.30am-10pm
Cost: RMB366 (day pass), RMB8,188 (quarterly membership), RMB22,888 (annual membership), 39,888 (couple's annual membership)

See listing for Sheraton Guangzhou Hotel.

14. Sofitel Guangzhou Sunrich (indoor)

Sofitel Guangzhou Sunrich’s 30-meter-wide pool is pretty cool, what with it’s underwater music system, a constant 28-degree Celsius water temperature and Jacuzzi. Located in the hotel’s So Fit facility, guests here can also use the fitness equipment and join in daily wellness activities. 

Open: Daily, 6am-10pm
Cost: RMB240 (first-time trial pass), RMB480 (day pass), RMB2000 (10 visits), RMB15,888 (half-year membership), RMB28,888 (annual membership)    

See listing for Sofitel Guangzhou Sunrich.

15. Tianhe Sports Centre Swimming Stadium (indoor)

As you would expect of a facility with a name like Tianhe Sports Centre, this place has pools and it’s open year round! Get back in shape in the 50-meter competition pond or the training pool. Alternatively, perfect your diving skills in the 21-square-meter diving pool. 

Open: Oct-May: 7-9am, 6-9pm; Jun-Sep: 7-9am, 2.30-4.30pm, 6-10pm
Cost: RMB35 (day pass), RMB900 (30 visits), RMB2,800 (annual membership) 

See listing for Tianhe Sports Centre Swimming Stadium.

16. W Guangzhou (indoor)

Soak up the city’s energy and the sun at Wet, the W Guangzhou’s indoor heated pool. Located on the 29th floor overlooking the bustling city below, this sleek haven invites you to take a swim in the indoor heated swimming pool, recline in the Jacuzzi or lounge on the plush poolside chairs and ottomans.

Open: Daily, 6.30am-10.30pm
Cost: RMB218 (day pass to Wet and fitness center), 1,800 (monthly membership), RMB13,800 (half-year membership), RMB21,800 (annual membership)

See listing for W Guangzhou. 

17. White Swan Hotel (outdoor)

Set in the lush gardens of the hotel and on the bank of the Pearl River, the outdoor swimming pool at the White Swan Hotel offers a refreshing dip year-round. 

Open: Daily, 7am-11pm
Cost: RMB1680 (10visits), RMB3,000 (20 visits), RMB23,900 (annual membership to pool and fitness facilities)  

See listing for the White Swan Hotel.

18. Xijiao Swimming Pool (indoor and outdoor)

Can’t justify making the trip to Hainan for some sand and water time? Never fear, Guangzhou’s Xijiao Swimming Pool, better known around town as ‘the beach pool,’ offers you a chance to kick back on one of their numerous patio chairs on an artificial beach. It’s one of our favorite spots in the city to crush a couple of whobbly-pops (outside food and drink are allowed in) while catching a sunburn – you know, just like you would at a normal beach. 

In addition to the artificial beach, guests to the facility can enjoy a fitness pool, competition pool and newly opened indoor swimming area (which allegedly doubles as a scuba training/mermaid encounter pool).  

Open: 9am-9.30pm
Cost: RMB40 (day pass)

See listing for Xijiao Swimming Pool.

19. Senyuanju Restaurant and Pool (outdoor)

Senyuanju is a hidden jewel in the Baiyun town of Dayuan. This clear blue pool is part of a restaurant and pool combination that represents the best of the Chinese countryside. Senyuanju is surrounded on three sides by mountains and they grow most of their own food on the slopes surrounding the pool and restaurant. Diners of the Senyuanju restaurant, there is a discount for the pool.

Open: Daily, 8.30am-8.30pm

Cost: RMB20 (day pass), RMB10 (day pass with meal purchased in the restaurant)

See listing for Senyuanju

20. Fuguitian Restaurant and Pool (outdoor)

This small water park in the middle of Maofeng shan is a great way to get out of the city for a day. With three pool including a kiddie pool, slides and a stunning viewof the mountains, you can relax and swim in a place that won't even feel like the city. The restaurant next to the pool serves great countryside food and the pool is discounted for diners. 

Open: Daily, 9am-10pm

Cost: RMB28 (adult day pass), RMB18 (child day pass)

See listing for Fuguitian Restaurant and Pool

21. Huifengyuan swimming Pool (outdoor)

Located in the immediate vicinity of Xingsheng Lu the Haifengyuan swimming pool is a beautiful clear blue pool with cool refreshing water. While covered wooden cabanas are great for parties, our favorite thing about this pool is that they allow you to bring your own alcohol in as long as it's not in glass containers; cans and plastic bottles are fine.

Open: Daily, 2pm-9.30pm

Cost: RMB30

See listing for Huifengyuan pool

22. Gold Coast Water Park (outdoor)

Located on Bingjiangdong Lu near the North gate of Sun-yat Sen University, the Gold Coast Water park is a small park with several slides. Its a great place for family fun.

Open: Daily, 1pm-7pm

Cost: RMB60 (day pass)

See listing for Gold Coast Water Park

This article was originally published on June 30, 2017. It has been updated and republished on June 12, 2018.

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