BIG, splashy news, folks. Last summer’s modest list of nine pools? That’s now a bloated, beautiful 23. Twenty-three! Outdoor pools. In Shanghai. We’re beside ourselves. Now, look – anyone can slap together a list of pools with addresses. Boring. We went in. Literally. Swam, sunned, surveyed. Hard work. This thing needed actual curation. So we did the laps, scoped the scenes and sorted the standouts. So yes, there’s an editor’s picks section. Because 23 is a lot, and someone’s gotta tell you where the real gems are.

  Yuluxe Sheshan

IF you’re looking to treat yourself to nature not far from downtown, this is it.

Yuluxe Sheshan used to be Le Méridien — and now it’s part of Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio. Still fancy. Still well-kept. Still sitting pretty next to the lake, with green everywhere and a front-row seat to Shanghai Sculpture Park, Yuehu Lake (Moon Lake), and across the street, Playa Maya waterpark. Sheshan Hill and the national forest park are both a few minutes’ stroll away.

You’ve got actual nature here — trees, water, lakes, hill, paths — so bring your running shoes if you’re feeling productive or just take a lazy lap around the lake.

The day pass gets you access to the indoor and outdoor pools, plus the gym, so a full wellness day is on the table if that’s your thing.

Food-wise, not bad. Le Café on the ground floor is your Western/Asian hybrid: burgers, pastas, pizzas, dumplings, nasi goreng, West African stew and steaks. On the fifth floor, there’s a solid Cantonese restaurant with legit dim sum and lake views. Honestly, a great option for a 30-minute Didi drive that feels a nature escape that’s not in Shanghai anymore.

Opening hours: 8am-8pm (outdoor pool); 6:30am-10pm (indoor pool)

Address: 1288 Linyinxin Rd, Songjiang District (by Yuehu Lake, inside Sheshan National Tourist Resort)

Distance from downtown: 32km

  Radisson Blu Forest Manor

THE Radisson Blu Forest Manor is one of the newer hotels on this list, but it snuck past all our radars because it opened in May of 2019, right before the world got distracted. But this is probably going to be this hotel’s break-out year among expats in Shanghai. Yes, it’s a distance away, but it’s nice.

Situated out in Minhang District right next to the National Exhibition and Convention Center, it’s in a relatively newly-developed area of Shanghai. The hotel itself is a marvel upon approach, sporting elegant classical Spanish architecture design.

The changing rooms have private shower stalls, as well as indoor jacuzzis, steam rooms and saunas, so you could treat this as a mini-bathhouse if you wanted. Day pass also includes access to the gym.

Best time to go: Between 10am to 4pm is when the pool gets the most sunlight. Starting at 5:30pm, it becomes shaded.

Opening hours: Through August 31, 9am-7pm

Price: 380 yuan for adults; 190 for children. But, show them this article, and you can snag 10 percent off your tickets and accommodations if you decide to make a weekend of it.

Address: 839 Jinfeng Rd, Minhang District

Distance from downtown: 20km

Who’s going: Right now, it is mostly families, expats and local Chinese.

Pool-side F&B: There is a small cafe on the same floor as the pool, but you need to go inside, it’s located near the gym-changing room check-in. It’s only open on the weekends.

  The InterContinental Shanghai Harbour City

THIS one is definitely a day trip sort of thing, or even a weekend escape (if you end up getting a room). Behold, The InterContinental Shanghai Harbour City.

First off, this is one of those truly unique experiences in Shanghai. The entire hotel is perched on its own man-made island, right in the center of the also man-made Dishui Lake. If you haven’t ventured out to the Lingang area yet, you really should. It’s a fast-growing area with a lot to offer — lake water sports, scenic bike rides around the lake and even out to the Pacific Ocean (which, to be fair, isn’t much to look at — but hey, it’s there).

There’s even another water park nearby (L*Snow further down this list), so if you make the trip, you can easily knock out both over a weekend.

Now, about the pool — it’s solid. Well-kept, modern and stylish. It’s the only infinity-style pool in the city that’s actually built right up against a substantial body of water. You’ll get some nice poolside service, and the food and drink options are a bit more elevated than most (though W Shanghai and Kimpton hold their own too).

Opening hours: 8am-8pm (outdoor pool); 6:30am-10pm (indoor pool)

Address: No. 1 South Island, but if you take Didi type in “South Island No 2.”

Distance from downtown: 82km

Price: 200 yuan for one person

  The Kimpton Hotel

IF you’re wondering where all the “see and be seen” hotties migrated after W Shanghai stopped selling pool day passes — this is where they’ve landed. But don’t expect a W-style vibe. Where the W leans into an electrifying, high-gloss aesthetic, the Kimpton goes for silk over sequins.

You’ll find secret corners and hidden experiences tucked into the nooks and crannies — both indoors and out. There’s an infinity pool that sneakily spies on the South Bund of Puxi, and if you’re hungry, the upscale Franco – Chinois brasserie in the garden atrium is actually worth the price tag. Bonus: they’ve got live music and the occasional DJ salon to keep things interesting.

The Kimpton isn’t about spectacle. Yes, it’s full of fashionable, gorgeous people — but they’re not loud or raucous, and neither should you be. This place doesn’t shout to get your attention. It knows it already has it. Now, this is all the exterior mind you. Once you find their hidden speakeasy bar, that luxury becomes tactile and flashy.

Best time to go: The hotel faces west, which means it’s one of the few places in Shanghai to watch the sunset over the city. Fully bathed in light from 10am until the sunsets.

Opening hours: 8:30am-9:30pm

Address: No. 9, Lane 199 Qiantan Ave, Pudong New Area

Price: 299 yuan each, or 399 yuan for two

  The Fondney Hotel

THIS pool has a double-sided character. On the one hand, it feels like a well-kept community pool enjoyed by the neighborhood folk who occupy the surrounding villas. This is suburban swimming pool life, if ever there was one in Shanghai.

Granted, it’s not really a community pool. Because on the other hand, the pool belongs to the Fondney Garden Hotel. Which, as far as hotels go, is a uniquely gorgeous hotel, designed in Nanyang style with Shanghai aesthetic influences. It’s a modern hotel by the way.

This pool has a lot going for it. Great price, and it faces south, so it has great sun morning till evening.

Opening hours: 10am to noon with a break. Resumes 1pm-9pm

Address: 222 Xiewei Rd, Qingpu District (Inside Fondney Garden Hotel)

Distance from downtown: 15km

Price: 70 yuan for adults, 60 yuan for children

Who’s going: Not too many people. Busier on the weekends, but not that busy.

  L*Snow

THIS is another “all day adventure” sort of thing, with no shortage of things to do. First, it’s in the Lingang area, the free-trade zone part of Shanghai that is developing at a historically rapid pace (seriously, it’s something).

L*Snow launched to much fanfare for being the largest indoor ski resort in the world. The powers that be felt that such an expansive roof shouldn’t go to waste, so they built an entire waterpark on top. We haven’t been yet. But we probably will check this off our list this summer.

Opening hours: Through September, 10am-10pm

Address: 2088 Hucheng Ring Rd, Pudong New Area

Distance from downtown: 56km

Price: 250 yuan

Who’s going: Everyone. It’s packed. This is definitely a “group of friends” sort of deal.

  Magic Whale Outdoor Swimming Pool

THIS is a cheap and cheerful local pool that doesn’t get a lot of traffic during the day. This is a great option if you have the type of skin that refuses to tan. Canopies hanging over the pool can lessen the UV intensity, so this is a good option for those with delicate and fair skin.

Best time to go: This pool tends to be relatively empty during the day, and then it begins to fill up after 4pm when the shade starts to set in.

Opening hours: Through September, 9am-9pm

Address: 1-59, Lane 100 Tianlin Rd E., Xuhui District

Distance from downtown: 20km

Price: 40 yuan per visit

Who’s going: Everyone. It is a local, quieter crowd with kids.

  Qiantang International Bathhouse

LIKE New Star in Minhang, Qiantang (乾汤国际) is another all day spa with dedicated sections for men and women (naked time). The pool however is communal where both sexes can mingle and frolic, and it’s popular with kids. Compared to Newstar, Qiantang is older, more local, but also, pretty darn cheap.

This isn’t the fanciest day spa (neither is Newstar, mind you), but if you’d like to go on a dime, a decent option with sauna, mineral pools, Japanese food and an outdoor pool.

Opening hours: 24 hours baby!

Address: 2216 Jingao Rd, Pudong New Area

Price: 59 yuan, cheap!

Who’s Going: Locals who want to relax

  The JW Marriott Tomorrow Square

THIS pool is more of an “older option.” It feels a bit dated in places, especially when compared to the slick, modern setups over at spots like the Kimpton. That said, its prime location — right in the heart of downtown — makes up for a lot.

Food-wise, it’s on the pricey side and kind of gives off early-2000s “Western food in Shanghai” vibes. The city’s come a long way since then, but hey — if you’re already there and don’t feel like heading out, it’ll get the job done.

What sets this place apart, though, is the vibe. It’s usually quieter, less crowded than most others on the list. There’s a certain type of crowd that gravitates here — mostly business travelers willing to pay a premium for that central location, plus a few long-time expats happy to drop 600 to 1,000+ yuan for a low-key weekday lounge session.

Best time to go: The pool itself is shaded by the main tower for most of the day, so your best bet is to come between 1pm and 5pm, when the sun finally swings around for that golden northwest-facing sunset.

Opening hours: 8:30am-9:30pm

Address: 399 Nanjing Rd W., Jing’an District

Distance from downtown: Ground zero

Price: 388 yuan for adults, 200 yuan for children. But you can snag cheaper prices on Dianping at 259 yuan and 151 yuan for adults and kids respectively.

Who’s going: Established professionals, some hotel guests, some not.

 Ambassy Club Xuhui

POPULAR downtown pool for families. It’s got a slide which is fun for kids obviously. But aside from this, it’s a little pricey for what you get and it closes early. There are better options. Towels and gear you should bring yourself.

Best time to go: The pool starts getting shaded at 3pm.

Opening hours: Through October 7, 11am-6pm (Mondays), 9am-6pm (Tuesdays-Sundays)

Address: 1500 Huaihai Rd M., Xuhui District

Distance from downtown: Ground zero

Price: A little pricey at 300 yuan per trip, but includes access to the gym, spa and jacuzzi.

Who’s going: Families with kids

  The Shang-Mira

A nice pool in a nice compound, which is fairly empty. Come on a weekend, and it’s easy to throw down a towel and get a spot.

Of course, we write this, and everyone will go, and we’ll have to update this list next year.

You can bring a speaker with you, enjoy some music with your tribe.

This pool is right in the heart of Gubei, so take your friends not just for some sun and water, but also for some great Japanese food.

Best time to go: The pool gets great light all day.

Opening hours: Through October 7, 7am-9pm

Address: 7 Shuicheng Rd S., Changning District

Distance from downtown: 7km

Price: 100 yuan on weekdays, and 150 yuan on weekends, or get a membership for the year for 2,400 yuan.

Who’s going: This pool is emptyyyy.