Swimming is one of Hong Kong’s favourite pastimes. The city is blessed with an abundance of fabulous pools – public ones, pools at residential complexes, private members’ clubs (and, of course, the ultimate pool – the ocean).

But when the coronavirus pandemic forced most of them to close, it left residents scrambling for a place to cool off. Luckily, the few that did remain have some seriously impressive facilities.

Designed to be a seashell-like structure, Tung Chung Swimming Pool is a sight to behold. Its curved walls allow natural sunlight to filter in and the interior’s blue and green hues reflect the surrounding waterscape. Swim a few laps in the indoor pool or head to the outdoor section, which overlooks Ngong Ping cable cars. There’s even a balcony where you can lounge and watch the world go by.

The only thing that might top this unique pool is its location. Located on the edge of Kowloon’s waterfront, this is one of the most heavily-used public pools in the city. Its Olympic-sized main pool and other indoor pools are used for competitions, while the outdoor leisure pools are frequented by tourists and locals alike.

If you’re planning a staycation in the city, consider booking a room at Rosewood Hong Kong, which boasts an impressive rooftop pool with breathtaking views of the city skyline. While you can only swim here if you’re a guest at the 5-star hotel, it’s worth a visit just for the experience. The pool’s Asaya Kitchen serves up delicious fare to keep you hydrated as you swim.

While Hong Kong has plenty of indoor pools, the city’s most famous is its stunning outdoor pool at The Peninsula. The gorgeous infinity pool overlooks Victoria Harbour and the cosmopolitan cityscape. And if that wasn’t enough, the hotel pipes in underwater music to add an extra element of surrealism to your swim!

With a capacity for 2,200 swimmers, the luxurious Peninsula’s pool is reminiscent of an art deco palace. From marbled Roman columns to striped lounge chairs, the pool is the epitome of luxury. It’s not for those who are looking to do some serious swimming, but it’s a must-visit for those who want to relax and enjoy the scenery.

Hong Kong uses more than 500,000 litres of water per day – a lot of it for those pools! Thankfully, the government has been working on a plan to reclaim sewage water as part of an effort to reduce the city’s dependence on freshwater. The process will be slow and expensive, but it’s a great step in the right direction. The city hopes to have it up and running by 2022. That may not sound like much, but it’s a huge improvement from the current situation. In fact, the city currently gets about a third of its water from reclaimed sources. Hopefully, the new system will save a lot of water and help to preserve the environment.