Chilly winter is coming to Shanghai and to go ice skating at an outdoor swimming pool will be an absolutely fresh experience for city dwellers. This year, residents may have winter fun on - rather than in - Hongkou Swimming Pool.

　　For local residents, a beautiful snowy winter sounds like a luxury because the city's climate, with little snow and ice, does not lend itself to the colorful winter sports commonly enjoyed in northern China.

　　At the Hongkou Swimming Pool -- which has a history going back more than 80 years - the Shanghai Leisure Ice & Snow Sports Co Ltd aims to create a relaxing outdoor site for typical winter fun.

　　"Winter is a slack season for swimming," says Xu Ning, general manager of the company.

　　"Turning the swimming pool into an ice skating rink during the cold months is a wise and efficient practice which is common in Southeast Asian countries and in Japan."

　　Compared with indoor skating, outdoor skating boasts many advantages such as fresh air and a larger exercise space. At the new 1,200-square-meter rink, seven retired athletes will work as trainers and offer skating tips to visitors.

　　In addition, various ice skating courses for adults and children will be available to teach some basic skills: how to fall, get back up, the one-foot glide, proper stroking technique, forward and backward crossovers, basic turns and other skating moves.

　　For busy white-collar workers, a special seven-hour condensed ice skating program is on offer. Students can choose the most convenient time to attend according to their own schedule.

　　Date: 10am-10pm, daily

　　Address: 500 Jiangwan Rd E.

　　Tickets: 25-30 yuan for 90 minutes

　　Tel: 5696-0676