“A place that accompanies my growth!” That’s what many say about the Hongkou Swimming Pool. It is a place etched in the memories of many Shanghainese. Today we stand before Shanghai’s earliest public swimming pool. It’s a landmark with almost a century of history.
The Hongkou Swimming Pool. Its original name was “Engineering Bureau Swimming Pool”. It opened in 1922. This made it Shanghai’s first large open-air public swimming pool with a circulating water system.
Initially the pool only had a simple changing room. It had separate sections for men and women and showers. Grass and flowers surrounded the pool. Bamboo fences enclosed the area.
This pool wasn’t always open to everyone. At first it was only for non-Chinese citizens. Later to increase revenue it opened to the Chinese public.
Fast forward to the Second Sino-Japanese War. The Japanese occupied the pool. After the war the Shanghai Municipal Government took over. In 1951 the pool became part of the Hongkou Sports Center. But since 1985 it has been independent.
Over the years the Hongkou Swimming Pool underwent five renovations. In 1931 a diving platform and slide were added. These are preserved as cultural relics today.
Imagine Shanghai in the 1930s. The pool was the place to be. People loved to show off their tans. One writer in Shen Bao even said to visit the pool to get a tan like theirs.
The writer Shi Zhecun recalled the pool as a daily ritual. People would read write and translate in the morning. After lunch they napped. Then at 3 pm everyone headed to the Hongkou Swimming Pool. Afterward they caught a movie or danced the night away.
During the Anti-Japanese War the pool suffered. Japanese invaders seized it. After 1945 the Shanghai government took control. In 1949 Shanghai was liberated. The pool finally returned to the people.
Chen Yi the mayor visited the pool. He emphasized the need to ensure safety. In 1951 the pool hosted a citywide swimming competition. It also started swimming classes. This nurtured many famous swimmers.
In 1985 the staff built a wading pool for children. They added stone sculptures of dragons fish swans and frogs. In 1987 it was named the best small pool in the country.
In 2002 the Hongkou Swimming Pool installed a large colorful slide. The next year a sunshade was built.
Today the Hongkou Swimming Pool is a popular spot for summer fun. It stands near the Hongkou Football Stadium. From the train you can still see this historic pool.
Picture it a splash of blue. Swimmers in colorful suits dot the water. The Hongkou Swimming Pool a place of memories and summer fun. It is a testament to Shanghai’s enduring spirit. A place where generations have learned to swim relax and enjoy the simple pleasure of a refreshing dip.