New swimmers train in a special area of Qingnianhu's pool. [Photo:CRIENGLISH.com]

Many of Beijing's summer retreats take some time to reach, but a very popular one -- Qingnianhu Water Park -- is conveniently located just north of Andingmen on the city's Second Ring Road.

"This is the only outdoor public swimming pool within the Third Ring Road," said Qiao Hongying, Director of Qingnianhu Park's main office.

Qingnianhu Water Park is not only convenient, but also offers a range of activities. When approaching the area, visitors will know the park immediately when they spot a giant white elephant that stands in the center of the children's pool. Two other pools -- smaller and larger ones -- are available for multiple activities. In the smaller pool, swimmers can relax in special seats while jets of water massage their backs. The larger pool has plenty of free play area, a special area for new swimmer training, and several high water slides.

The most popular way to enjoy Qingnianhu's pools is to bring a floating apparatus such as an inner tube or raft, which you also can buy or rent for 20 yuan per hour at the park.

Qiao says the pool can handle up to 1,000 swimmers a day and is popular with Chinese families and groups of young adults, although foreign visitors are "very welcome."

With all those swimmers, safety is an issue that Qingnianhu Water Park takes seriously. All swimmers are checked for pink eye at the entrance, and the pool is under constant surveillance. Video cameras monitor activity as well as entrances and exits, and lifeguards are easily spotted.

"We have 10 lifeguards in charge of 10 different areas of the pool," Qiao said.

Should an accident happen, the pool has its own first-aid clinic and private ambulance.

"If there is an emergency, the clinic can perform first aid, including oxygen therapy, and then send the patient to the hospital," Qiao said. "The first-aid staffers in the clinic are all retired doctors from the hospital."

Qingnianhu Park surrounds the water park, which Qiao said adds to the environment.

"Visitors can enjoy the good view the same time as they are swimming," she said. "There are trees, and the air is fresh, which is more enjoyable than an indoor pool."

In other areas of Qingnianhu Park, visitors can go boating on the lakes or take advantage of public exercise areas.

Qingnianhu Water Park was opened in 1993 and returns to business each summer from the last Saturday in May to the end of August. Tickets are 30 yuan for adults and 20 yuan for children.