Public facilities: pools and sports centres
How to swim, book a court or use a fitness room, whether you live in Hong Kong or are visiting.
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Do I need to book a swim?#
Ordinary public swimming uses admission by session, rather than a SmartPLAY court booking. Standard admission is HK$17 on weekdays excluding public holidays, or HK$19 on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Concession admission is HK$8 on weekdays excluding public holidays, or HK$9 on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, for people aged 60 or over, children aged 3 to 13, full-time students, and people with disabilities and their minders (one to one); bring proof. Children under 3 with an adult enter free. Children under 12 need an accompanying adult.
A monthly swimming ticket (HK$300, half price for the same concession groups) requires SmartPLAY registration; it does not give queue priority. Wan Chai Swimming Pool is reserved for group training.
When can I actually swim?#
Check the individual pool’s session breaks, weekly cleaning and closure notices before leaving. Everyone must leave at the end of a session, including monthly-ticket holders. Heated facilities may still close for maintenance or events; an open complex does not mean every pool is available.
What about lockers and changing?#
Bring swimwear, a towel and any concession documents. Use a locker and consider your own padlock; check the venue’s locker instructions rather than assuming every locker takes the same coin. Facilities are for venue users: do not assume luggage storage or shower-only entry is offered.
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How do residents and visitors use SmartPLAY?#
Residents register and verify their identity before booking through SmartPLAY. Visitors register as temporary users and must show a valid photo-bearing travel document in person at the SmartPLAY Services Centre, 5M/F Kwun Chung Municipal Services Building, 17 Bowring Street, Jordan (Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm, Saturday 9 am to 1 pm, closed on public holidays). LCSD's enrolment notes describe online registration first, while the SmartPLAY FAQ says to apply in person; either way the centre visit is required. A temporary registration is valid for the permitted stay or 6 months.
Without registration, only available sessions can be booked at venue counters 15 minutes before they start. Availability is not guaranteed, and activity-specific eligibility still applies.
Can I just walk into the gym?#
An ordinary SmartPLAY account is not enough. LCSD fitness-room users must be at least 15 and hold a recognised qualification, such as passing LCSD's briefing and assessment or holding a Fitness Gold Card. SmartPLAY users aged 18 or over are registered as fitness-room users automatically; under-18s need a parent's or guardian's consent before registering. Monthly-ticket holders must also book a session. Check the qualification route before paying or travelling.