Aijianyuan 爱建园

Residential compound Aijianyuan (爱建园) near IKEA in Xujiahui has a solid neighborhood pool that's open to the public. Entry is 40rmb, or 600rmb for 18 visits if you're going often. It's mostly families and kids, but usually pretty calm during the week, and the pool's big enough to squeeze in some laps. Go in through 100 Tianlin Dong Lu (田林东路100弄), take the first left, and you'll spot it just ahead. Nothing fancy, but good for a quick swim close to home.

Opening Hours: 9am-12pm, 3-9pm

Price: 40rmb

Amara 上海安曼纳卓悦酒店

The pool at the Amara Signature Hotel on Changshou Lu in Jing'an has a central location and it's open to the public, which means it's going to be crowded on the weekends. Central pools are best visited during the week if you're lucky enough to have a working schedule that allows for a sneaky pool day on a Tuesday. There's a small kids' pool as well. Seasonal passes are also available.

Opening Hours: 8am-6pm

Price: 168rmb (half price for children)

Ambassy Club (Xuhui) 上海鸿艺会

A dependable pool destination, Ambassy Club has indoor and outdoor pools that get really busy on weekends. However, if you can beat the crowds, you can take a ride down their water slide or just chill out poolside on one of their beach chairs. The indoor pool requires a swimming cap, but not the outdoor one. Bring your own towel to both.

Opening Hours: 11am-6pm (Mon), 9am-6pm (Tues-Sun)

Price: 300rmb for adults; 160rmb for kids under 14

Ambassy Club (Pudong) 浦鸿会

This is the Ambassy Club in Jinqiao, pricey but coming to us with a bit more of a resort kind of feel. Previously, it was only open to members, but now it's open to the public. It's open daily except on rainy days. A few pluses: good F&B options; both indoor and outdoor pools; and, yeah, it gets busy on the weekends, but not overly busy. It's also very kid-friendly, with pools and play areas for families.

Opening Hours: 7am-9pm (Mon-Fri); 9am-9pm (Weekends).

Price: 600rmb for adults; 300rmb for kids.

Chateau Star River Pudong Shanghai 上海浦东星河湾酒店

Chateau Star River Pudong Shanghai is part of a hotel, with big Venetian-style rooms and a small outdoor pool that tends to fill up fast with families on weekends. There's also an indoor pool and a mini playground. Not a bad pick if you're looking for somewhere kid-friendly to escape the heat and survive a summer weekend.

Opening Hours: 9am-9pm, open during summer

Price: 258rmb for adults, 788rmb for two adults and one kid

Fondney Hotel Shanghai Hongqiao NECC 上海虹桥凤颐酒店

Set in a quiet villa neighborhood near the Hongqiao Airport, Fondney Hotel's outdoor pool offers a calm, leafy spot for a summer swim. It's surrounded by greenery, not too busy even on weekends, and has a bit of that old Shanghai charm thanks to the hotel's retro deco style, popular with hotel guests and the occasional family. At just 50rmb, it's honestly a steal for the setting, but fair warning, it's not the most metro-friendly place. You'll want to drive or be cool with a 40-minute cab ride from downtown.

Opening Hours: 10am-9pm

Price: 50rmb

Grand Plaza Club House (Xuhui) 四方俱乐部

Also known as "The Maya Pool". It doesn't get more central than this classic pool destination on Julu Lu. It's not the biggest pool in town, but it's great for tanning and socializing, even mid-week pool days. A ticket will get you in, rent you a towel (something a bit rare for Shanghai pools), and give you access to the sauna and jacuzzi. The price goes up on the weekend, as does the turnout. There is a small shop in the lobby that has some nice grub for you to eat poolside under one of the shaded tables to the right-hand side, but many people order waimai or bring their own food and drinks. Nice and simple. We like it.

Opening Hours: 9am-10pm

Price: 150rmb on weekdays; 200rmb on weekends; 80rmb for kids under 1.2-meters-tall

Haifu Garden 海富花园

Pudong people are really spoiled for choices when it comes to affordable pools, and here's another one. Although Haifu Garden is in a residential compound's clubhouse, non-residents can also buy tickets to swim. A single-entry pass costs around 54rmb. There are also swim classes available, and the surrounding area has plenty of food spots if you want to grab food after your swim.

Opening Hours: 1-8:30pm

Price: 54rmb

Hilton Shanghai Fengxian 上海奉贤前昇希尔顿酒店

Hidden way out in Fengxian (an hour to an hour and a half by car from downtown), the Hilton has a surprisingly chill outdoor pool that's open to non-hotel guests for just 98.8rmb (oddly specific). It's part of a resort-style property inside an eco-park, and while it takes nearly two hours on the metro to get there, the vibe makes up for it. Even on a summer weekend, the pool stays quiet; most people stick to the packed indoor pool, leaving the loungers, umbrellas, and calm water outside almost empty. Towels are included, and the setup feels way nicer than most downtown options. Peaceful, clean, and a total steal if you're willing to make the journey.

Opening Hours: 10am-7pm

Price: 98.8rmb for adults, 108rmb for one adult and one kid

Hongkou Outdoor Swimming Pool 虹口游泳池

This one's an old-school public pool and a bit of a local classic. Lots of neighborhood people come here. Pretty sure it's the only one in Hongkou on our list (we've kind of lost track at this point). It's technically outdoors, but there's a big cover over it, so you get shade without being fully inside. The price is super decent, 30rmb for kids, 60rmb for adults. It's definitely on the older side, and not super well-equipped (someone mentioned there's no hair dryer), but it does the job. After you're done swimming, you can relax on the astro turf lawn. Only open during the summer.

Opening Hours: 9am-8pm

Price: 60rmb for adults, 30rmb for kids

Hyatt Centric Zhongshan Park Shanghai 中山公园凯悦尚萃酒店

This pool sits on the 7th floor of the Hyatt Centric near Zhongshan Park (newly opened in 2024) on the roof. That said, the pool is currently closed for maintenance, with no confirmed reopening date. Might want to check before going. However, this is a large pool with a great view, and a downtown-ish location, it's worth checking out once it reopens.

Opening Hours: Closed for maintenance

Price: Closed for maintenance

InterContinental Shanghai Harbour City 上海滴水湖洲际酒店

This one is beautiful but way out in Lingang (around an hour and a half to two hours by car), practically at the edge of Shanghai. It's part of the InterContinental Resort sitting on its own private island in Dishui Lake, which gives it one of the more unique views you'll find at a hotel pool in the city, lake on one side, infinity pool on the other. You don't have to be a hotel guest to swim; they sell day passes, which might be the better choice. Reviews of the hotel stay itself are pretty mixed. Still, for a quiet swim with a rare view, and it's something different if you're willing to make the long trip out.

Opening Hours: 9am-6:30pm. The outdoor pool is open only during the summer holiday and on public holidays in September and October.

Price: 200rmb for adults, 100rmb for kids un 14.

JW Marriott Tomorrow Square (People's Square) 上海明天广场JW万豪酒店

Another really well-known pool in central Shanghai. Great place to drink a Pina Colada poolside on a rooftop, but the pool size and the 388rmb entry fee for adults make it a little on the steep side for what it actually is. You need to bring your own swim cap and goggles, but they provide towels, slippers, body wash, and bottled water for free (wow!).

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

Price: 388rmb

Kimpton Qiantan Shanghai 上海金普顿前滩酒店

New hotel, new rooftop pool. This one's in Qiantan, with a rectangular 28m x 6m layout and views of the Huangpu when the weather's clear. It closes early (7pm), so no late swims. Water's clean, space is tidy — just be prepared to share it with photo shoots. Entry includes a light meal (wellness vibes, apparently). Book at least a day ahead via their WeChat mini-program: search "上海金普顿前滩酒店" and switch to English once you're in.

Opening Hours: 8:30am-1:30pm, 2-7pm

Price: Weekdays: 299rmb for one adult, 399rmb for two; Weekends: 499rmb for one adult.

Nanjiao Hotel 南郊宾馆

This one's more water playground than lap pool — shaded splash zone, tipping bucket, water guns, and slides make it a solid pick for kids. It's compact but does the job. Towels and shower products included; caps required. You can bring your own floaties and toys. The hotel isn't exactly central, and service can be hit or miss, so unless you're nearby or already staying there, the ticket price might feel like a stretch.

Opening Hours: 10am-8:30pm

Price: Hotel guests pay 138rmb for one adult and one child; non-guests pay 168rmb for the same.

New Star (Minhang) 纽斯洗浴（金汇店）

New Star is a Korean bathhouse in Minhang. Their indoor spa facilities are a nice bonus if you're visiting for the first time. The spa is gender-separated, and the place also has an outdoor pool, a good Korean restaurant, and draft beer served in iced mugs. You could easily spend a whole day in there, and you can even stay overnight if you feel like it. The outdoor pool has a kids' water playground; however, swim caps are required.

Opening Hours: 9am-6:30pm

Price: 86rmb on Dianping

Oland Club 圣堡健身会所

Way out in Qingpu, Oland Club is a solid pick for families — especially those already living out that way. There's a large outdoor space with both shallow and deep pools, so it works for all ages. It's far from the city center, which means fewer crowds, more loungers, and a more laid-back vibe.

Opening Hours: 10am-9:30pm

Price: 150rmb for adults, 100rmb for kids under 1.3m

Purple Mountain (Pudong) 上海金陵紫金山大酒店

Purple Mountain has a big pool surrounded by lots of space with decent views of the city. This makes it an ideal spot for a swim on a hot day. Unfortunately, guests are required to wear a swimming cap, which could mess with your vibes if you're trying to look hot.

Opening Hours: 10am-10pm

Price: 200rmb

Qiantang International SPA 乾汤国际SPA

Similar to New Star, this outdoor pool is part of a larger spa complex; just buy a ticket and you're in. It's in Pudong's Jinqiao area, not too far from the Jinqiao Metro Station, so it's relatively easy to get to (though it still makes the most sense if you live on the east side). You'll get all the typical bathhouse perks here, and most reviews say it's clean and well-maintained. It's also kid-friendly, with a small waterslide and an indoor play area. The spa itself is open 24 hours, and you can even spend the night, but the pool has limited hours. Entry is more affordable than some of the other options on this list. Swimming caps are required.

Opening Hours: 10am-8pm

Price: 72rmb for one adult and one child, 52rmb for a single adult

Radisson Blu Resort 上海虹桥西郊庄园丽笙大酒店

A spacious pool near Hongqiao, popular with families for its shallow, kid-friendly area and European-style touches like a mermaid fountain. Facilities are clean and functional, and towels, slippers, and showers are provided (free stuff!). No parking fees, and food delivery is easy with plenty of restaurants nearby. The space is occasionally used for pool parties from event promoters like Space Panda. Check event listings to see if one is coming up. If you're going with kids, better to go on a weekday when there aren't events happening to avoid the crowd.

Opening Hours: 9am-7pm, open during summer

Price: 160rmb for adults, 206rmb for two adults and one kid

Shang-Mira Garden Pool 美丽华花园

Inside the Shang-Mira compound, this pool is surprisingly easy to get to, just a 3–4 minute walk from Shuicheng Lu Station on Metro Line 10 (take Exit 2). Look for the Starbucks at the entrance, head straight in, and keep walking until you spot the pool on your left. Climb the steps to the plaza, and you'll find the entrance to the gym center, which leads directly to the pool. Most of the swimmers are local residents from the compound or nearby neighborhoods, so the vibe is laid-back and neighborly. Swim caps are required, and there's a lifeguard on duty. It's 100rmb per person on weekdays and 150rmb on weekends, not bad for a clean, convenient spot in Gubei with no taxi drama required.

Opening Hours: 8am-9pm

Price: 100rmb for weekdays, 150rmb for weekends

Shimao Riviera Garden Pool 世茂滨江花园

It is a huge pool in Lujiazui (Pudong) with a sandy beach and lots of beautiful landscaping. In the past, it has been a go-to place for weekends because of its sizable beach area. An extra bonus is that the entry fee gets you access to their gym and indoor pools, too. It's also right in the middle of a market area where you can pick up supplies. Not open on rainy days. No cap needed, huge plus.

Opening Hours: 10am-6pm

Price: 200rmb for adults, 100rmb for kids under 1.5m

the Yuluxe Sheshan 上海佘山茂御臻品之选酒店

Located in the scenic Sheshan National Tourist Area, this pool offers a peaceful outdoor space for families. With a heated kids' pool and sandy beach area, it's a great outdoor pool for relaxing with a more tranquil environment than some of our other options on this list. Their facilities include towel and float rentals, showers with toiletries, and private changing rooms. The only downside? It's not exactly convenient. Driving from downtown can take up to an hour, and the metro isn't a direct option; after getting off at Sheshan Station, you'll still have over 4km to go before reaching the hotel. So, unless you're already in the area or don't mind the extra legwork, this one takes a bit of planning.

Opening Hours: 8am-8pm, open during summer

Price: 168rmb for adults, 268rmb for one adult and one kid

Xuhui Xincheng 徐汇新城

Xuhui Xincheng (徐汇新城) is a residential compound in southwest Shanghai, not far from the Shanghai South Railway Station. It's on Longwu Lu, but there's no metro station within walking distance; the closest one is Luoxiu Lu on Line 15, so it's mainly convenient for people living in the area. But the upside is it's affordable. An option if you live in the area and need a place to take your kids to tire them out for a bit over the summer.

Opening Hours: 9am-12pm, 3-9pm

Price: 40rmb for adults, 128rmb for two adults and one kid

Yanlord Riverside City (Pudong) 仁恒河滨城

The pool in Pudong's Yanlord Riverside City has a nice environment and fewer crowds. Located on 1399 Ding Xiang Lu (丁香路1399弄), it is open to the public from 9 am to 9 pm. Tickets will run you 40rmb for adults and 30rmb for kids (12 and under). Besides the pool itself, there is not much else there, so come prepared with everything you need. While the deep end runs 1.8 meters, you won't be doing any diving here, as the rules forbid it. However, there are plenty of beach chairs to just chill out and soak up the sun. We also visited Yanlord Riverside Garden (仁恒河滨花园) in Changning, developed by the same company. That pool looked pretty nice as well, but unfortunately, it's not open to the public.

Opening Hours: 9am-9pm

Price: 40rmb for adults, 30rmb for kids

yushu garden 御墅花园

Changning residents, this one's for you. Inside a compound but open to everyone, this pool's got a classic 25-meter pool with deep and shallow ends, and a pool for the little ones. The price is super affordable, just 30rmb if you go early between 8 and 10 am, or around 50rmb for a full day. If you live nearby, this place is perfect and really easy on the wallet. They also offer swim classes if you want to improve your skills. Swimming caps are required.

Opening Hours: 8pm-9:30pm

Price: 30rmb between 8-10pm, 50rmb for a full day