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Shanghais Best Pools Hotels Public Hidden Gems

China AI Search57 min readxiaohongshu
#Shanghai swimming#Hotel pools#Public pools#Infinity pools#Lap swimming#Hidden gems#Fitness Shanghai#Luxury lifestyle

Dreaming of a refreshing dip in Shanghai? Whether you're a serious lap swimmer, seeking a luxurious escape, or looking for a hidden gem, this bustling metropolis offers an incredible array of swimming pools. We've dived deep into XiaoHongShu, China's popular lifestyle and social commerce platform, to bring you a comprehensive guide to Shanghai's top swimming spots, straight from the experiences of local enthusiasts.

From high-rise infinity pools with breathtaking cityscapes to sprawling public centers and tranquil, lesser-known retreats, here's everything you need to know to find your perfect swim.

Luxury Hotel Pools: The Ultimate Pampering Experience

Shanghai's five-star hotels boast some of the city's most exquisite swimming pools, often featuring stunning designs, top-notch amenities, and an exclusive atmosphere. While typically reserved for guests, a popular trend in China, especially in cities like Shanghai, is the availability of special passes for non-guests. Services like "百动斐燃" (BaiDongFeiRan) and "热橙健康五星运动" (Hot Orange Health 5-Star Sports) specialize in offering single-entry or long-term passes, allowing you to experience these opulent facilities without an overnight stay.

  • Shanghai West Bund MGM Hotel: Perched on the 59th floor, this pool offers a "high-rise infinity" feel with breathtaking panoramic city and Pujiang river views through expansive floor-to-ceiling windows. Its chic Chinese luxury aesthetic, coupled with a sauna, steam room, and unique ice spring system for recovery, makes for an unforgettable experience. Measuring 25x6 meters and 1.2 meters deep, it's open from 7:00-22:00. Morning swims are highly recommended for tranquility. MGM Shanghai West Bund Hotel 59th Floor Infinity Pool

  • Shanghai Sukhothai Hotel: Located underground, this pool creates a captivating ambiance with mood lighting from the pool and ceiling. While narrow and elongated (three people side-by-side can feel crowded), it boasts a top-tier environment with complimentary lemon water and full amenities, including towels, lockers, toiletries, and wet/dry saunas. Non-guests should book well in advance due to strict time slot and capacity restrictions. It's often described as "expensive, but worth it." Popular Shanghai Swimming Pool Recommendations

  • Shanghai Jing'an St. Regis Hotel: Discover a superb, Roman-style environment with "Tiffany blue" accents. This pool is praised for its excellent water quality and constant temperature, often quiet enough during dinner hours for a "private" swim. It includes a sunroom and offers comprehensive basic facilities in the core of Jing'an. The water depth ranges from 1-1.5 meters. Popular Shanghai Swimming Pool Recommendations

  • Kerry Hotel Pudong Shanghai: Spacious, bright, and exceptionally family-friendly, this hotel's 5th-floor "sunny pool" offers clear, comfortable water and ample natural light. It connects directly to Kerry Parkside shopping mall and is a short walk from Century Park. The 25x12 meter, 1.4-meter deep pool includes a children's splash pool and a hot massage pool. Its massive 6000sqm gym overlooks Century Park and the Pudong skyline. Pudong Kerry Hotel: Over 6000㎡ Swimming & Fitness Facilities

  • W Hotel Shanghai: For those seeking a trendy and scenic swim, the W Hotel's outdoor pool on the 4th floor faces Lujiazui and the iconic Oriental Pearl TV Tower. The night view is particularly spectacular. While its irregular shape (1 meter deep, 30 meters long) is more suited for playing and photos, it offers plenty of loungers and well-equipped changing rooms. Shanghai W Hotel Outdoor Swimming Pool

  • Conrad Shanghai (Yiair Fitness Center): Conveniently located at People's Square with excellent metro access, this large pool on the 10th or 11th floor includes a hot tub and sauna. Mineral water and full bath amenities are provided, and no appointment is needed. Open from 6:00-23:00, it even offers free parking. Swimming Pool with Sauna Facilities

  • Shanghai Puli Hotel Pool: Considered the "sparkling pearl of Jing'an pools," this luxurious and tranquil spot boasts exceptionally clear water and artistic design, with few people around. Water depth is 1.2-1.4 meters. Shanghai Jing'an District: Clean & Uncrowded Swimming Pools

  • J Hotel Shanghai Tower: Experience Shanghai's highest pool with unparalleled views from its high altitude. Located at the top of Shanghai Tower, its main draw is the prestige and the panoramic sight of the Oriental Pearl TV Tower from the 101st-floor lobby. The pool itself is small (19x6 meters, 1.2 meters deep) and complex to access, making it more of an experience than a serious swimming venue. Shanghai J Hotel: Highest Swimming Pool

Other notable luxury hotel pools include Shanghai Jing'an Shangri-La Hotel (grand, sunny, beginner-friendly), Shanghai Portman Ritz-Carlton Hotel (indoor and outdoor options, very clean), Shanghai Swissotel Grand Shanghai Pool (bright sunroom, clean), Shanghai Capella Hotel (unique dark Zen Chinese style, good for photos), and Shanghai Tibet Tower Courtyard Hotel (small, quiet, good for beginners).

Public Sports Centers & University Pools: For Serious Swimmers & Budget-Conscious

If you're focused on lap swimming or seeking more accessible price points, Shanghai's public sports centers and university pools are excellent choices. These venues prioritize functionality and often feature standard-sized pools.

  • Shanghai University of Science and Technology Swimming Pool: A true "secret spot" for serious, uninterrupted swimming. This standard 50-meter pool is 2.5 meters deep across all 8 lanes and remarkably uncrowded (sometimes as few as six people!). Access can be tricky (requires a 10-15 minute walk from the gate, no nearby metro), and a deep-water test (tread water for 30s or swim 400m continuously) is mandatory. Highly recommended for dedicated swimmers. Shanghai 50m Swimming Pool Review

  • North Bund Citizen Fitness Center: Touted as the "ceiling" for 50-meter pools, this center, opened in November 2023, boasts excellent facilities and clear, odorless water. It intelligently separates a 0.8m deep beginner pool from a 50m wide pool, which features 2m+ deep lanes (3 lanes) and 1.4m lanes (6 lanes) for experienced swimmers. While prices are on the higher side, it helps filter crowds. Expect excellent glass-partitioned showers. North Bund Citizen Fitness Center Swimming Pool

  • Shanghai Oriental Sports Center Outdoor Swimming Pool: Incredibly affordable at 20 RMB for 90 minutes, this large 25x50 meter outdoor pool is a local favorite, especially in summer. It features a 6-meter deep diving area (at extra cost) and ample lifeguards. While it can get very crowded, particularly after 6 PM (often described as "like dumplings in a pot," an idiom for a very crowded space), it offers a relaxed, social, pool-party-like vibe. Review of Shanghai's Top-Rated Outdoor Swimming Pools

  • Noble International Conference & Exhibition Center (诺宝康体中心): A long-standing (23 years) 50x25 meter pool known for good hygiene and a sunlit environment thanks to slanted floor-to-ceiling glass walls. It operates reliably, with integrated amenities like a Starbucks. The pricing is 199 RMB for a single 120-minute session or 6580 RMB for an annual card. Amenities include good showers and a dry sauna. Shanghai Nuobao Health & Fitness Center Swimming Pool

  • Fudan University Swimming Pool (South Campus): This large 50-meter outdoor pool is surprisingly clean and not very crowded, even in the evenings. A "sunset swim" here is described as beautiful and peaceful, offering a nostalgic charm. Fudan University Swimming Pool

Other public options include Hongqiao Town Sports Center Swimming Pool (well-maintained, good value), the iconic Shanghai Swimming Pool (recently renovated but often extremely crowded, making long-distance swimming challenging), and Qibao Middle School Swimming Pool (standard 50-meter, often crowded).

Some older public pools like Yuanshen Swimming Pool and Sanlin Swimming Pool are functional but can be very crowded and noisy, leading to "bumper car" swimming. Pudong Swimming Pool is generally not recommended due to its dated facilities and often unpleasant odors in changing rooms, often exhibiting a "state-owned enterprise old person smell," which refers to older, less maintained public facilities in China.

Unique & Hidden Gems: Beyond the Usual Laps

For those seeking something truly unique or off the beaten path, Shanghai has a few hidden swimming treasures:

  • City Road Swimming Pool (城道游泳馆) at Huáli Jiāzú Gǔběi Huāyuán: Tucked away in a high-end residential complex in Changning District, this pool is described as a "social phobia's dream." The water is exceptionally clean, and its 25-meter lanes are often empty, offering no lane fighting or splashing kids. It also features independent shower stalls and "Dyson-level" hair dryers. Search result image

  • Navy Club Pool (海军俱乐部泳池) at Xinhua Centre (上生新所): This transparent blue outdoor pool, framed by white circular columns and palm trees, exudes a tropical charm. Part of the historic American Country Club (Columbia Country Club) built in 1924, it's the only remaining British-standard outdoor pool in Shanghai with beautiful mosaic work. While it's free entry and open all day, it's more of an architectural marvel and photo spot than a serious swimming venue. Shanghai Navy Club Swimming Pool (Historic Building)

  • Renheng Xijiao Garden: A very large outdoor pool within a residential compound, surprisingly noted for its cleanliness and beautiful fountains, making it good for photos. Popular Shanghai Swimming Pool Recommendations

Getting Your Swim On: Practicalities & Tips

  • Hotel Pool Passes: As mentioned, services like "百动斐燃" and "热橙健康五星运动" are your best bet for accessing luxury hotel pools without hotel memberships. They often offer flexibility with single-entry or long-term options, covering a wide range of hotels including InterContinental, Kempinski, Kerry, Mandarin Oriental, and more. Shanghai 25 High-End Hotel Swim & Gym Universal Pass

  • Booking & Access: Luxury hotel pools often require advance booking for non-guests. Public pools might have specific entry rules, like electronic queueing for lockers or mandatory deep-water tests for certain sections.

  • Amenities: Luxury hotels typically provide full towels, high-quality toiletries, and saunas. Public pools vary widely, so it's wise to bring your own toiletries, hair dryer, and slippers for some.

  • Crowd Levels: Weekends and evenings (after 6 PM) are peak times, especially for popular public pools. For a quieter swim, aim for early mornings or off-peak hours. Hidden gems are also great for solitude.

  • Water Quality: While luxury hotel pools generally maintain high water quality, public pools can vary. Some are praised for clarity, while others might have stronger chlorine smells.

  • Kids: Many pools are family-friendly. If you prefer a quiet swim, avoid times when children's swimming lessons are common.

  • AI-Generated Concepts: You might stumble upon stunning, futuristic designs of "elevated glass swimming pools" over the Huangpu River on platforms like XiaoHongShu. It's important to note these are often AI-generated concepts, not real, accessible pools. Shanghai Huangpu River Outdoor Swimming Pool

Shanghai's swimming scene offers something for everyone, from an athletic challenge to a serene retreat. So grab your swimsuit and dive into the city's aquatic adventures!

(See the image gallery below for more visuals of these fantastic Shanghai swimming spots!)

Image Gallery

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This article is based on trending content from XiaoHongShu. View the original search results and detailed analysis to explore the individual posts and community insights that inspired this piece.

11329 words18 imagesBased on 20 social media posts
Published: 8/12/2025