Get Ready for Shanghai Summer

While facilities in Ambassy Club, the club belonging to the highly sought-after Ambassy Court compound, are high end and well maintained, its bigged advantage is the central location and convenient access: right next to Shanghai Library and the adjacent Metro station on Line 10!
Ambassy Club is exclusive for members, but but they have a one-time trial for 150rmb (weekdays only!). On weekends access to the outdoor and indoor pool is reserved for members.
A 1-year membership costs 7,000 RMB, half a year is priced at 5,600 RMB.
The indoor pool opens from 6:30am-9pm on weekdays, and 8am-9pm on weekends. The outdoor pool is open from 11.30am-7pm on Mondays, 9am-7pm the rest of the week, but 8am-7pm weekends. The indoor swimming pool requires a swim cap. The outdoor pool opens in May closes at the end of September.

Much more moderately priced than many other pools in Shanghai, the one in the Brilliant City compound has an entrance fee of 25 RMB (before 5pm) to 35 RMB (after 5pm) plus a mandatory 6 RMB health check. The pool is open daily from 9am to 10pm, and from mid-June to the end of August.

Dino Beach is more than just a pool, it comes with slides, a wave pool and a lazy river for tubing. It’s immensely popular, and queues are comparable to those in other fun parks in the city. Entrance fee is 180 RMB per person during the week and 220RMB  on weekends. No swim cap needed, but a health check. Open from 9am-10pm daily, starting from late June to the beginning of September.

Definitely not a budget option, but picturesque and exclusive is the roof-top pool in the JW Marriott near People’s Square: for non-hotel guests it’s 280 RMB/day and 150 RMB for children up to 14 years old. Its The outdoor pool is open from 6am-11pm and closes at the end of October.

Located in expat-popular Mandarin City apartment complex, this pool is often crowded by residents and external guests alike. Being early is the key to securing a spot, especially on the weekend. A one-day pass costs 100 RMB for adults, and 60 RMB for children up to 1.3m tall. No entrance fee for babies. Opening times: daily from 10am to 8pm, between July 1st and September 30th.

Centrally located swimming pool in the Grand Plaza community on Julu Road. Great for those living in the neighborhood around Jing’an Temple, but also not too difficult to reach by public transportation. A day pass is priced at 100 RMB (weekdays) and 150 RMB (weekend). Open from 9am-9pm daily, all year long.

New Star is a Korean bathhouse and has outdoor pools in Hongqiao and Pudong. Adults pay a 98rmb fee for an all day pass to the outdoor pool and indoor baths, kids under 1.4m pay 40 RMB, and even free for children under 90cm. Swim caps are a must, and a health check is required at both locations. Recommendable for the high sanitary standards. Starting in mid or late June, the outdoor pools are open from 8am-8pm everyday, except public holidays, and will stay open till mid-September.

New World Hotel’s swimming pool scores highly with its size, but gets minus points for its rather high price: 200 RMB on weekdays, 300 RMB at the weekend. This swimming pool will be open from May until October.

The Shimao Riviera Garden residential community features a very nice pool with beach elements such as sand and palms, as well as a bar. The all day pass is priced at 200 RMB for adults and 100 RMB for kids (under 1.2m). Wearing a swim cap is mandatory but a health check is not needed. The indoor pool is open every day between 7am and 10pm, the outdoor pool opens between 10am and 7pm. Opening it gates at the beginning of June, closing them at the end of September.