Dive into some cool places this summer, Xu Junqian reports.

Want escape the searing summer heat? Don't sweat it. Shanghai has a number of watery delights to plunge into - beaches, boat clubs, water parks and theme parks. They are all easy to get to and provide the ideal respite from a long, hot summer.

1. Dino Beach

As the most popular water park in the city, Dino Beach should be on the top of any summer to-do list. The park has numerous waterslides, but two recommended attractions are the wave pool, said to be the largest in Asia, and a very relaxing flowing river that encircles the park. Food and drinks cannot be brought into the park, so be sure to bring extra cash to lash out on lunch. And don't forget to bring sunscreen to protect against those harmful rays. Visitors can also go at night, when there are shorter lines and no searing sun. Floating down the lazy river in an inner tube is a soothing way to view a starry night.

Address: 78 Xinzhen Road, near Gudai Road

Tel: 021-6478-3333

Opening hours: 10 am-11 pm (summer only)

Ticket: 100-150 yuan (weekdays), 150-200 yuan (weekends)

Transportation: Metro line 1 to Xinzhuang Station, transfer to bus No 763

2. Sunny Beach (Bihaijinsha)

Located in southern Shanghai in Fengxian district, Sunny Beach is one of the few beaches in the city and one of the largest artificial beaches in China. Called Bihaijinsha in Chinese (blue sea and golden sand), Sunny Beach boasts 650,000 square meters of water area and 80,000 square meters of sand, so there is plenty of room. Besides the sand and water, there are plenty of other diversions, including water tricycles, volleyball and surfboards. Unlike Dino Beach, you can bring your own food to Sunny Beach, along with other beach accruements like plastic buckets and spades for the kids, deck chairs and sunshades. You can even have a barbecue.

Address: 39 Hailang Road (Haiwan Tourist Area)

Tel: 021-5712-0707

Opening hours: 8:30 am-7:30 pm (weekdays); 8:30 am-9 pm (weekends)

Ticket: 55 yuan

Transportation: Metro line 1 to Xinzhuang, transfer to Sunny Park shuttle bus

3. Jinshan Urban Beach

Jinshan Urban Beach is a rare natural beach situated in the Shanghai suburb of Jinshan. Apart from all the water sports similar to other beaches, one of the advantages of this place is that you can dive into the real sea. There are also some small seafood restaurants in nearby streets, where you can tuck into fresh crabs and fish. You have to pay to get onto the beach during summer, but it's free other times, when you can take a leisurely walk along the foreshore.

Address: 5 Xincheng Road

Tel: 021-5793-6507

Opening hours: 5 am-10 pm (the beach); 9 am-10 pm (the swimming area)

Ticket: 30 yuan (weekdays), 50 yuan (weekends)

Transportation: take Metro Line 1 to Jinjiang Action Park Station, transfer to Jinshan Urban Beach shuttle bus

4. Sanjiagang Waterfront Park

Just north of Pudong International Airport is this newly developed waterfront resort with many amusement activities. Along this 1.3-kilometer stretch of coastline, there are lovely seaside cabins - big enough for friends and family - available for overnight rentals, campfires on the beach at night, matchmaking parties and rock music concert held on weekends. Beer festivals are held there - you can drink beer and watch live performances. You can even try your hand at kite surfing, with equipment and instructors on hand.

Address: 6015 Huaxia Road E

Tel: 021-6890-9803

Opening hours: 8 am-8 pm

Ticket: 38 yuan for kids under 1.2 meters of height, 50 yuan for adults

Transportation: Metro line 2 to Lujiazui Metro station, transfer to Cailu line shuttle bus

5. Dakang Indoor Water Resort

For those who love to frolic in the water and avoid sunburn, this indoor water park is an ideal choice. Because of the limited size, 5,000 square meters, everything inside, including the wave pool and the water slides, is like a mini version of Dino Beach - fun in miniature. An added bonus is that the water is much cleaner than Dino Park. The most exciting activity is a high-diving platform, from which you can launch yourself into the 4-meter-deep water. Lifeguards are on hand.

Address: 555 Gongkang Road

Tel: 021-5640-6962

Opening hours: 10 am-10 pm

Ticket: 50 yuan for 2.5 hours during weekdays, 55 yuan for 2.5 hours during weekends

Transportation: Metro Line 1 to Gongkang Road station, transfer to Dakang Indoor Water Resort shuttle bus

6. Oriental Land

This place is usually frequented by students for team-building projects and for military training. The park has taken advantage of its spaciousness and now allows for some fun and games. You can get a free watergun and have a cool water fight with other visitors in a specially designated area. There is also a plethora of other water games as well as camping, picnicking, and cycling. Oriental Land is a good choice for an escape from the city life, albeit briefly, in the scorching summer.

Address: 6888 Huqingping Highway

Tel: 021-5923-3000

Opening hours: 9 am-9 pm

Ticket: 120 yuan

Transportation: Tour Bus Line 4

7. Saimeng Club

This boat club at Dianshan Lake in west Shanghai has a variety of boat sports and water games. Professional coaches are available for new hands on deck, if you are a club member. And you can easily learn how to sail a boat, or canoeing, after a couple of lessons. There will be a national boating tournament from Aug 8-16 and visitors can watch the event for free.

Address: 289 Yingzhu Road

Tel: 021-5923-3916

Opening hours: 9 am-6 pm (weekends)

Ticket: 300-400 yuan/day/boat (for club members); 1500-2,000 yuan for non-members

Transportation: Tour Bus Line 4

(China Daily 08/06/2010 page32)