Cool pools

Beijing's temperature can soar above 40 C in summer so what better way to beat the blistering heat than to take a cool dip?

Beijing makes up for its lack of beaches, or rivers and lakes for swimming, with scores of swimming pools.

Merry Water World, occupying 266,800 sq m, is probably king of the more than 50 water parks in Beijing. You can not only cool down with a day-long soak but also pump up the adrenaline with scores of thrill rides, roller-coaster slides, wave pools and chutes.