When you think of Hong Kong, the word “pool” might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But this city is loaded with picturesque pools, from the world’s highest pool to natural infinity ponds on a mountainside. So grab your swimsuit and head to one of these HK swimming spots.
The hottest place for a dip in Hong Kong is the indoor pool at the Ritz Carlton on the 118th floor of the International Commerce Center, Hong Kong’s tallest skyscraper. The pool is surrounded by floor to ceiling windows, mirrored ceilings and LED walls that showcase images of clouds, fishes, bubbles and beach scenes.
In addition to the stunning view and high altitude, this indoor pool has a number of unique features, including a seashell-like structure that filters water from the sky. It also allows natural sunlight to filter in, making it a great choice for swimmers who want to soak up some sun while they’re at the pool.
While the outdoor Tung Chung pool might not be as scenic as the others on this list, it has a number of other cool features. Located in the city’s new town, this pool is shaped like a seashell to allow for natural ventilation. It also has a retractable roof and curved edges, which creates a feeling of open space while still being covered.
You can even float in the pool and watch Ngong Ping cable cars pass by as you’re taking a dip. The pool is also home to a variety of fish, which makes it a good place for a family outing or an afternoon people-watching session.
The city’s 45 public swimming pools may only partially reopen this summer due to a lifeguard shortage, according to the Hong Kong Recreation and Sports Professionals General Union. Union representatives say 20 pools have already contacted swimming training institutions to warn that they may not be able to operate full facilities this summer.
Lee Yuet-man, chairman of the HKRSPGU, said at a press conference on Tuesday that the pools had been told to close lanes and facilities reserved for swim instruction this summer, without giving a specific reason why. He warned that the move could affect both the development of the industry and swimmers, as well as swimming competitions.
The LCSD has responded that it is introducing different measures to address the shortage, including increasing the salary of seasonal lifeguards and recruiting lifeguards on two-year contracts. However, the situation is likely to get worse in the coming months as more lifeguards graduate from college and take up their positions. HKFP will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary.