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China's most valuable asset of the year?
Wonderful as living in an egalitarian utopia may be, it’s sometimes nice to get away from it all and enjoy a little taste of luxury.
Now, we’re not talking about the plebeian pleasures of foot massages or fine dining here; such extravagances will do in a pinch, but fail to deliver in moments of truly-deserved immoderation. No, we’re talking about the pinnacle of class and sophistication, the very essence of luxury itself: a swim-up bar.
Not to sound like we’ve re-invented the wheel, but is there any greater self-indulgence than floating lazily in a pool while sipping on a cocktail? If there is, we haven’t found it yet. (We’ll keep looking though.)
Located in the heart of the swanky 'Mandarine City' [sic] service apartments in GuBei, this large pool and its attendant bar are relatively unknown, and thus not afflicted with the over-crowding that usually typifies Shanghai’s more eminent locations. Deckchairs are everywhere, so you can stretch out and get a tan, and if you’re hungry, they serve up some of the best French fries to be had in the city. Best of all, the prices are extremely reasonable; access to the pool is only 60 kuai and drinks won’t set you back more than 20 to 30 RMB.
Now if only it would stop raining all the time…
Mandarine City: 788 Hongxu lu, near huaguang lu (名都城, -虹许路788, 靠近华光路). Tel: 6405 0404, swimming pool operating hours from 7.30am to 9pm.
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"Now if only it would stop raining all the time…"
...time to leave the office early, leave your driver at home and do a walk... It's scorchingly sunny 35 degrees outside this week.
"this large pool and its attendant bar are relatively unknown"
"prices are extremely reasonable; access to the pool is only 60 kuai"
the FotBs have taken over... do something, Dan... please!
If it's relatively unknown, why is it jampacked on the weekends? Last year I had to sit in the bushes just to get a spot.
Dear Guest No. 2,
I guess I don't understand what is "fresh off the boat" about those observations. I have lived here for five years and never heard of this pool (of course, I have also never been to a pool in Shanghai and rarely go to Gubei). And isn't 60 kuai cheaper than other outdoor pool options in the city? If there are better deals you are aware of, please share.
On the short and sweaty walk from lunch to the office I was thinking a swim-up bar didn't sound too bad.
Thanks,
Dan
Dear Guest #3,
it's true that pool attendance varies depending on the day and time you go, and it's compounded by the fact that the pool's existence is common knowledge among Mandarine City's many residents - the bulk of the pool's users (and for whom the pool is specifically intended).
But that aside, the place isn't publicly advertised anywhere (look, a Shanghaiist Exclusive!) and gets around mainly by word of mouth, which tends to keep the number of visitors down. Considering Shanghai's population, that's a close to 'unknown' as we're likely to get!
So why was I up in those MF bushes, man?
Oh, I know, arrive at 9 AM and stake it out.
BTW, most of the people were not from Mandarine City, unless that is also THE COOLEST PLACE IN TOWN, which I suspect might be your next post.
Another place for pretentious posers, Chinese sluts in bikinis and high-heels, and fake tits. Great.
Hi Guests,
Please take a look at this.
Thanks,
Dan
...the chick in the pic is cute -;)
Unknown ? Are you kidding me ?
It has been getting more and more crowded each summer. And it is featured in one or two of the city magazines and/or Shanghai Daily each summer. Every other expat i know has been there or heard of it. Almost all the taxi drivers know where it is. Ask anyone about an outdoor pool and this one comes up...so it does seem a bit excitable to proclaim a Shanghaiist exclusive.
When i saw the post, my reaction was damn, there goes another wkend option - as already noted, it is already unpleasantly overcrowded in the weekends. The ladies' bathroom also turns into a version of hell.