It is summertime, and I have family friends visiting from America: my aunty My (Mee), Uncle Nate and my best friend, Naomi Jenness. We have been spending the summer together in Beijing! Every summer in Beijing is hot, but this summer has seemed particularly boiling. Naomi and I needed a way to cool off and refresh. Luckily, the new water park was built in Chaoyang Park, which is close to my house.

The newly built Beijing International Ocean Beach Carnival inside Chaoyang Park is the perfect solution to surviving a scorching summer. However, we were a little bit lost when we arrived at Chaoyang Park, unable to find the waterpark. Serendipitously, we wandered toward another new Chaoyang Park feature. We walked towards a white gate with words above it that read Pop Land, 泡泡玛特城市乐园 (Pàopào Mǎtè Chéngshì Lèyuán). I figured it had to be a world about Pop Mart. My friend, Naomi, is a Pop Mart lover! So, we took a little detour to explore Pop Land before heading to the water park where tickets were RMB 180 for one adult, and RMB 150 for a child.

Inside Pop Land, Naomi was clearly having the time of her life. Pop Land was full of bright colors and funky creatures. There were many places to stop and take a photo, and there were loads of activities. For example, you could buy tickets to play the basketball game. The main prize was a large Pucky balloon, and the consolation prize was a small pocket mirror. There were many other carnival games that you could play and try your luck at to win prizes.

We also got a free Pop Land passport, which you can use to collect stamps at each station. Naomi enjoyed collecting the stamps because it was a fun scavenger hunt. There was a walk-through display inside a large mansion that she really enjoyed; it was a little Pop Mart show. It was themed, I think, on Puckies and Labubus. By the time we finished walking through the mansion, it was past lunchtime. So, we got some food inside Pop Land. It was not the best, and I didn’t enjoy it because the food seemed very bland and was very expensive, and I believe that Naomi did not enjoy it either. We ordered fish and chips, Caesar salad and pizza, and potato fries. I suggest you eat before you arrive here.

After we visited Pop Land, we headed for our initial goal: the waterpark. Tickets for the Beijing International Ocean Beach Carnival 阿派朗创造力星球 were RMB 300 for both an adult and a child. At the gate, Naomi and I were given bands for our wrists as our entrance ticket.

The first thing we saw after we entered the waterpark was a large pit of sand covered with huge umbrellas, and beanbags were spread across the pit. It was a sandy beach in the middle of the city!  There was a nice playground with nets, an AC tower, a room full of AC and slides. Inside that playground, there were two tablets built into wall; these tablets were AI art generators, and they were activated by your wristbands. Next, we saw what we had been looking for: the water.

There were three water sections. At the first one, there were many loopy doop slides. Naomi and I went on these slides many times, and our stomachs flipped as we slid around the slides. There were also many little water sprayers, which you could aim at people and spray them. I had fun waiting underneath a large bucket of water to be dropped and poured all over me.

Next, Naomi and I went over to the other side of the pool. There were two long slides that stretched across most of the pool. For this water part, you were obliged to sit on a donut ring floaty to go down the slides.

There was also a big pool with no slides; it was the typical pool for swimming in. The park also had a large net people could walk on top of. Later, Naomi and I found an empty bundle of fun. It was one of those chairs that you could spin in. We would spin around and then try to chase the other person. By the time we were finished playing, it was pretty much time to go home.

All in all, it was a fun, but tiring, day at Chaoyang Park. Now, here are some tips:

According to my research, this waterpark will only be open this summer from Jun 27 to Aug 31, 2025.  It is located inside Chaoyang Park, Apailang Creativity Planet.

1. Bring sunscreen
2. Bring spare clothes
3. Bring a towel (We didn’t)
4. Have fun

Find it:
Pop Land 泡泡玛特城市乐园
Bldg 40, 1 Chaoyang Gongyuan Nanlu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区朝阳公园南路1号40幢

Find it:
Beijing International Ocean Beach Carnival
阿派朗创造力星球朝阳公园店
Apailang Creativity Planet, East No. 5 Gate, Chaoyang Park, Chaoyang District

Images: Clark Yap

Summer in Beijing means pool days, splashing around, and escaping the heat. But before you dive in, let’s talk about keeping your little ones safe—because nothing ruins a fun day faster than an accident or a nasty post-swim infection.

First things first: if your child can’t swim yet, floaties are a must. Even in shallow water, kids can slip under in seconds, and drowning doesn’t always look like the dramatic splashing you see in movies. It’s silent and fast. So if they’re not strong swimmers, stick close, keep them in proper flotation gear, and always check that there’s a lifeguard on duty.

One vlogger on Douyin went as far as making a video that showed which color swimsuits stand out better in the water and which tend to camouflage with the pool. He tested 15 different colored swimsuits in the pool and outdoors to test which colors are the easiest to spot.

He concluded that cool colors like blue, purple, or white tend to blend in with indoor pools. But outdoors, these lighter cool colors stood out, but dark cool colors became practically invisible underwater. He referenced a case when a girl was stranded in the ocean for 36 hours, and after being rescued, she recounted seeing rescue boats searching for her just 20 feet away, but were unable to spot her floating in her black swimsuit. His point? Stick to bright, warm color swimsuits. In case your child is drowning, certain colors of swimsuits can make them harder for lifeguards to spot.

Now, let’s talk hygiene. Not all pools are sparkling clean, and trust me, a fun afternoon isn’t worth dealing with itchy skin, a stomach bug, or worse, herpangina later on.

My daughter’s first visit to a water park was full of fun memories of splashing around and foam party festivities, but three days later, it turned into a high fever and a week of being sick from herpangina. Could she have contracted it somewhere else? Sure, there’s always that chance. But the few times she swallowed pool water that’s possibly got more fecal matter than hygienically acceptable seems more likely to be the source of the infection.

Make sure your kids rinse off before and after swimming, and teach them to keep pool water out of their mouths (easier said than done, I know). If a pool looks murky or smells overly chemical-y, it’s probably best to skip it.

If you’re super adamant about seeing proof of whether a pool is up to standard or not, there are test strips you can purchase on Taobao that will give you results in minutes.

Swimming should be all about laughter and making memories, not trips to the doctor. So stay alert, pick your pools wisely, and have an awesome, safe summer splashing around!

If you’re looking for some great pools in Beijing where you can spend your time this summer, check out our list at the link below.

Images: Freepik, Douyin, Taobao

With school back in session, and the nights getting cooler, you may be a little blue that summer is on its way out. To lift your spirits, and remind us all that the nice weather isn’t gone yet, the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of China (FCCC) is hosting their 2019 Summer Party on September 7. This all-inclusive event is suitable for people of all ages.

The FCCC is an association of Beijing-based journalists working in and reporting on China, for audiences around the world. This professional association includes more than just journalists: diplomats, media specialists, authors, academics, consultants and corporate personals all enjoy memberships with the FCCC. Every year the FCCC hosts talks and social events, like their Summer Party, and many other opportunities to meet people also working in the journalism industry.

Join the FCCC for this end-of-summer bash, and you can enjoy a pool, with lifeguards on duty, a bouncy castle, crafts, and face painting. For adults, they have craft beer and cocktails, (promised to be served cold). All this fun will be serenaded by DJ Cousin Kippy. Throughout the afternoon there will be a Vietnamese buffet provided by Susu and an ice cream stand.

There are a limited number of tickets, so no walk-ins on the day; make sure to purchase tickets beforehand! Tickets are RMB 280, and the party goes from 3pm – 8pm. The party is being hosted at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland (1 Ritan Lu, Jianguomenwai Chaoyang District).

Photo: Pixabay

Whether you’re home for the holidays, utilizing one of the pool facilities that Beijing offers, or just want to brush up on some hot tips, water safety remains as important as ever (yes – even in these cold months!)

Growing up in Australia has given me a valuable understanding of the importance of water safety – between beachside weekends, weekly swimming lessons, or lazy afternoons spent in a friend’s pool, the “do’s and don’ts” were drilled in from an early age. Having worked as both a lifeguard and a swim instructor has also made me particularly aware of how vulnerable the little ones can be in this area. With drowning as the third leading cause of incidental injury death worldwide as well, we can all afford to brush up some of our knowledge. So what exactly should we keep in mind? Here are some of the basics:

Familiarization:

It’s important to familiarize your child with water of varying depths from an early age; panic in the water can quickly lead to drowning. Many parents find it easier to join their children in the water in order to make it more familiar. It may also be a good idea to involve toys or music to ease the transition. Other ways to increase familiarization is to practice being in the water with clothes on – perhaps practice hopping in with a t-shirt and shorts for the little ones, or treading water for thirty seconds or so for the older ones. This way, should the situation arise that they find themselves in water of a certain depth fully clothed, they are more familiar with it.

Supervision:

It’s important to keep an eye on the kids in the water. This might seem like a bit of an obvious one, but it’s surprising how little time it can take for an accident to happen. No matter how shallow the water is or how experienced the swimmer, having a competent supervisor at all times is a must. This said, having a lifeguard is not a guarantee of safety! Keep an eye too on pool accessories that the children use – whether they are flotation devices, diving rings, or a ball tossed between two children. The latter may cause too much of a distraction, while flotation devices might cause the child to become entangled or pushed underwater. Ensure that any accessories used in the pool are up to a certified safety standard.

Interaction:

Even if your child is a junior Michael Phelps out in the deep end, watching how they interact with others especially is crucial. While playing together in the water is great for making friends and getting some exercise, kids can often distract one another, and group games that are played in the pool are often among the most common ways that incidents and injury occur. One of the most dangerous types of games to be wary of involves holding your breath underwater for as long as possible. Another kind that I saw numerous times as a lifeguard involved diving competitions – this can be particularly dangerous in shallow areas where the risk of head injury is much higher. Another thing to look out for in a group of children is a less competent swimmer’s signs of panic and distress. A less competent swimmer may push down and hold onto the body of another child to remain afloat if they are in a state of panic – resulting in one or both children going below the surface.

Overall, swimming is a great way to exercise and have fun for the whole family. Don’t be worried about the potential dangers – keeping these brief safety tips in mind for a start will have you in the right swimming lane for success!

Photo: Sui

Whether you’re staying in Beijing or taking off for more exotic climes this summer, safety on or off the water is sure to be high on your list of concerns. For tips on keeping your family safe this summer, we spoke to Dermatologist Dr. Jenny Sun from Vista Medical Center and Family Physician Dr. Mijke Vankan from Oasis International Hospital.

General Water Safety
When it comes to water safety, Dr. Mijke Vankan of Oasis International Hospital encourages parents to adopt a common sense approach. Safety measures include making sure your kids always buddy up when they go swimming, maintaining adult supervision at all times (even when there are lifeguards), drinking plenty of water, and using sun protection.
According to the American Red Cross, kids under 1 most often drown in bathtubs, buckets or toilets; children aged 1-4 most often drown in home pools; and older children most often drown in natural water sources. “Kids can drown in very shallow water, as little as 6cm,” says Dr. Vankan. “Even in bathtubs, you shouldn’t leave young children by themselves. They can easily turn, hit their heads, and fall down. You should be able to reach them within a step.”

Public Pools
Generally, Dr. Vankan says that parents should always be aware of potential pathogens at public pools, fountains, and hot tubs. “Although most water is safe, you should always make sure not to swallow it – especially if it smells or you don’t have a good feeling about it,” she says. However, special vaccinations aren’t necessary.

A common concern is the effects of chlorine, a disinfecting agent that can be absorbed into the body through inhalation and via the skin. Even low-levels of chlorine can cause skin and eye irritation, a sore throat, and coughing. “If you swallow too much, you might feel nausea and vomiting,” says Dr. Vankan.
Indoor pools with inadequate ventilation put swimmers at a higher risk of chlorine exposure.  That being said, most swimmers don’t experience adverse affects from chlorinated water alone. It can be hard to tell whether pools in China are adequately maintained, but Dr. Jenny Sun of Vista Medical Center says a good indicator is the smell. If the pool smells strongly of chlorine, chances are you should avoid it.

If your child isn’t potty-trained, use only swimming diapers that have been consumer-tested and designed specifically for use in the water. “You can give an infection to other people if your child lets stools go in the water,” says Dr. Vankan. “That would not be a pool I’d want to swim in. Change swim nappies regularly and not poolside.”

Always take a hot shower and moisturize after visiting a public pool. If you’re especially sensitive to chlorine, there are lotions applied before swimming that are specially formulated to block the substance. In addition, thoroughly dry your feet after showering and wear flip-flops in the changing room. “Fungal infections like athlete’s foot grow in wet and warm conditions,” says Dr. Sun. Drying the feet also helps prevent contagious infections like plantar warts, which are caused by the HPV virus.

Beaches
There’s no basis to the old saying that you should wait an hour after eating to go swimming, says Dr. Vankan. Usually, kids recover their energy more quickly than adults. “I would be more concerned about alcohol for adults,” she says. Alcohol impairment can affect your ability to supervise your kids, thus endangering their safety.

According to the UK-based National Health Service, nearly two-thirds of incidents that required lifeguard intervention in 2012 involved children and rip currents. Rip currents are strong, fast-moving channels of water that can carry swimmers away from shore. Most deaths from drowning occur from panic and limited swimming skills, and eventually, exhaustion. It’s important to understand how rip tides work; because they’re so narrow, beachgoers can easily exit a rip tide by swimming parallel to shore, at a 90° angle to the flow of water.

Minimize the chances of encountering a rip tide by visiting only lifeguard-supervised beaches. Stay within the designated swimming area and always obey the lifeguard’s instructions. Waves can easily knock kids off their feet, so stay within arm’s reach. Avoid patches of underwater vegetation and never disturb marine animals. Saltwater is generally safe, but its prolonged presence on the skin can cause itchiness and irritation, so make sure to take a shower after playing in the ocean.

Sun Safety
Another major concern is sun damage. The sun emits ultraviolet (UV) rays that are classified according to wavelength: UVA, UVB, and UVC. The latter is absorbed by the Earth’s ozone layer while UVA and UVB penetrate the atmosphere. UV rays can damage skin in as little as 15 minutes, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and they contribute to conditions like premature aging, skin cancers, and eye defects such as cataracts.

Choosing a sunscreen can be a confusing process exacerbated by jargon. However, some terms are more important than others; here’s what you need to watch out for.

Broad Spectrum
This means it shields against both UVA and UVB rays – a crucial component in any kind of sun protection.

Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide
Physical sunscreens contain titanium dioxide or zinc oxide – inorganic compounds that are non-irritating and non-allergenic, making them popular for kids and babies. These compounds are also non-comodogenic (not pore-blocking) which makes them ideal for acne sufferers. The main drawbacks with physical sunscreens are that they’re too messy and opaque for daily use.

SPF
This stands for “Sun Protection Factor” and only denotes a product’s ability to block UVB rays. In laboratory conditions, a SPF 15 sunscreen allows you to stay 15 times longer in the sun without burning. Commercially, SPF values usually vary from 15 to 60.

Physical and chemical
sunscreens
There are two main types of sun protection – physical (sometimes referred to as “sunblock”) and chemical. A chemical sunscreen is absorbed into the skin while a physical sunscreen sits on top of it.

Nanoparticles
The newest generation of sunscreens often contain tiny particles of zinc oxide and titanium oxide. Sunscreens containing nanoparticles offer the protective properties of sunblock without the pasty quality of traditional physical sunscreens. There’s some concern over the possibility of nanoparticles being absorbed into the skin and potentially causing damage, but according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, “current research indicates that fears about absorption are unwarranted. Sunscreen is applied to the outermost layer of skin, which is made up of dead cells, and multiple studies have shown that nanoparticles do not penetrate living skin.”

Avobenzone
In a column for The New York Times Consults blog, dermatologist and author Dr. Doris Day says that, after a physical sunscreen containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, the second best choice is a chemical sunscreen containing avobenzone. Also known as Parsol 1789, avobenzone is designed to absorb the full spectrum of UVA rays. “Gels containing these ingredients are a good bet if you’re athletic, though it’s important to reapply at regular intervals,” writes Dr. Day. Avobenzone’s many trade names include “Helioplex,” which has been popping up on a lot of sunscreen labels lately.

Having a good sunscreen is moot if it isn’t applied properly. In general, be sure to cover up, seek shade, use sunscreen, and hydrate. Though the principles of suncare are the same, different ages have different needs:

Babies under 6 months
Babies under 6 months of age should be kept out of the sun and in the shade as much as possible. They should also wear loose protective clothing, sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat.

Babies over 6 months
Apply sunscreen liberally and keep your baby out of the sun during the peak hours between 10am and 2pm. Re-apply every two hours or more often if needed. Dr. Jenny Sun of Vista recommends using a broad-spectrum SPF 15 sunscreen containing zinc oxide. Continue to dress them in loose protective clothing, sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat.

Kids
Children are very active and sweat a lot; re-apply sunscreen every one to two hours and after swimming. Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before sun exposure; don’t forget ears, noses, lips, behind the knees, and the tops of feet. Keep in mind that UV rays can still reach us even when it’s cool and cloudy. “Older kids can use SPF 15 as well,” says Dr. Sun. “If you must use a higher SPF, SPF 30 is enough. Children’s skin is more sensitive and higher SPF sunscreens may contain more chemicals.” Dr. Sun recommends products by French company La Roche-Posay; a children’s sunscreen is available on Tmall for RMB 168.

Teens and adults
In China, sunscreen labels often say “PA+++” to signal that they protect against UVA rays. SPF is only for UVB rays. “Everyone should really avoid the sun. UVA is very dangerous and can cause skin cancer, so use a sunscreen with PA value,” says Dr. Sun. Teens might want to use non-comodogenic products to minimize breakouts.

If your child’s skin is looking a bit pink, get them out of the sun immediately. Tans are not a good thing; any change in skin color – whether it’s sunburn or suntan – indicates UV damage. Just a few sunburns in childhood can increase the risk of skin cancer later on.

For sunburns, Dr. Sun recommends applying cold water or ice on the affected areas if they’re not too severe. “But if it’s very red, you should put an anti-inflammatory like zinc oxide or calamine lotion. Aloe is good too, as it protects the skin,” she says.

Resources

Oasis International Hospital北京明德医院
Family Doctor and ER Physician Dr. Mijke Vankan speaks English, Dutch, French, and German. Mon-Sat 8.30am-5.30pm (some clinics open from 8.30am-12.30pm), daily 24hrs emergency care. 9 Jiuxianqiao Beilu, Chaoyang District (400 UR OASIS)
www.oasishealth.cn 朝阳区酒仙桥北路9号

Vista Medical Center维世达诊所
Dermatologist Dr. Jenny Sun speaks English and Chinese. Daily 24hrs. 3/F, Kerry Centre, 1 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District (8529 6618, vista@vista-china.net) www.vista-china.net 朝阳区光华路1号嘉里中心3层

This article originally appeared on page 24-27 of the beijingkids July 2015 issue. Click here to read the issue for free on Issuu.com. To find out how you can get your own copy, email distribution@truerun.com.

Photos: Phillipe Put (Flickr), St. Pete Clearwater (Flickr), Boudewijn
(Flickr)

Several years ago, I wrote about a novel use for an inflatable wading pool in the middle of winter – transform it into a pillow pool. When Reina was three, she and her friends spent hours jumping off the bed into the pillows, transforming it into a fort, and just having a laugh. However, as Reina got older, the pool lost its luster and stayed in storage.

Now that our boys are over 19 months old, I’ve renewed the life of the pool, and worn out my arm inflating it with a hand pump, so that Reina can teach her little brothers the joys of jumping into a pool filled with pillows. Since they are frequently trapped at home on high pollution days, this gives Bryson and Ryder one more way to burn off some energy while working on their face-planting skills without getting hurt. As they are still learning to swing themselves out of the pool without falling to the floor, we lined the exterior with cushions from the sofa so that there is a soft place to fall when they roll off the edge of the pool. Even though Reina is now 7, she can still jump off of the sofa into the pillows without causing any damage to the pool itself. Perhaps it is time I took a dip as well.

Photos courtesy of Christopher Lay

 

Photos by IM

Summer is finally here and, boy do we have a treat for you and the family! Put on your bathing suits and prepare for some splishin’ and splashin’. No need for sunscreen as we’ll have the deluxe indoor pool at the Westin all to ourselves. Don’t forget to bring your favorite water toys and some floaties for little swimmers. Afterwards, re-energize with the Westin Beijing Chaoyang’s Seasonal Tastes lunch buffet.

When: Saturday, June 19

Where: The Westin Beijing Chaoyang

Time: Indoor Swimming on the 5/F: 9am – 12pm (the pool is reserved between 9am-noon only)
. Lunch buffet on the 2/F at Seasonal Tastes restaurant: noon-2pm

Price in RMB:
Adult: 250 (beijingkids Club Member: 200)
Child age 3-12: 150 (beijingkids Club Member: 100)
Free for children 3 and under

Advanced tickets required: order via Clarisse at events@beijing-kids.com or 5820 7700 ext. 866. Book before Thursday, June 17