In one of the world’s most tightly managed cities, an unlikely form of freedom splashes into view. Along Beijing’s rivers and canals, residents—once mostly retirees, now joined by younger swimmers—slip past fences and warning signs to plunge into forbidden waters, building informal swimming holes complete with chairs and makeshift diving boards. In this episode, we explore how “wild swimming” has endured decades of official bans and safety concerns, and why it took on new meaning during the pandemic, when regulated leisure spaces fell silent. The story captures a quiet standoff between authority and habit, revealing how ordinary people carve out joy, community, and autonomy—even in a city defined by rules.

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/25/world/asia/beijing-china-swimming-holes.html