The sweltering summer heat in Hong Kong can make it tempting to hole up inside with an ice-cold beer, but there is a better way to cool down. Taking a dip in one of Hong Kong’s awesome pools is the perfect way to refresh, and some even offer spectacular cityscape views! From the infinity pool at The Kerry to the mega water play area at Tseung Kwan O, check out our roundup of some of the best hongkong pools.

Swimming pools are a common amenity at luxury hotels in Hong Kong, and many offer an oasis of calm away from the hectic streets of the city. They are also great places to practise your laps, and many feature floor-to-ceiling windows and a range of facilities to make the experience more enjoyable. Day passes are available for non-hotel guests, with prices starting at $500 on weekdays and $700 on weekends.

If you’re planning a relocation to Hong Kong, swimming pool facilities should be on your list of things to consider. Larger developments with multiple towers often have a 50-metre outdoor pool, while smaller single-tower developments may only have a small outdoor pool (often too short for laps) and an indoor pool. If you are a parent, you may also want to consider the school your child will attend when choosing where to live – the bigger schools have their own pool facilities, while smaller schools may not have a pool.

The government-run public pools in Hong Kong are usually clean and well maintained, with a main pool, teaching pool and leisure pool, plus one designed specifically for toddlers. They are usually a little more expensive than some of the private ones, but it’s worth it for the convenience of having everything under one roof and being in walking distance to home. You can also use the lockers at most of the pools, though you’ll need to bring a refundable $5 coin.

While the coronavirus restrictions on pools and beaches have eased since the end of August, many professional swimmers are still struggling to keep fit, with the Amateur Swimming Association saying that the continued pool closures could have a “catastrophic effect” on Hong Kong’s elite swimming programme in a few years. The association argues that if the pools shut, it will deprive thousands of competitive swimmers from access to essential training facilities.

The LCSD has slashed the number of lifeguards in recent years, which has led to some of them going on strike. Some pools have protest signage to highlight this issue, with the lifeguards’ union claiming that the cuts are unsafe and put them at risk of getting sick. They are also unhappy about the fact that mainland swimmers have been allowed to swim at some of Hong Kong’s pools while local swimmers are barred. The LCSD has said that this is a necessary measure to prevent the spread of infection.