Outdoor pools tanked up for crowds

Outdoor swimming pools in Beijing are busy preparing for their annual opening on June 1, praying for hotter weather and even hotter business.

The official opening time for outdoor swimming pools in the city is between June 1 and Aug 31. With the temperature rising, most pools are now speeding up their preparations, which includes clean-up projects, water filling and staff recruitment.

The average temperature had exceeded 22 C five days in a row by May 23, which is a sign that Beijing has officially stepped into summer, a week earlier than usual.