I'm talking about white sand and cold water, not the Bette Midler movie, as tear jerking as that was.

Where are the best spots around the country now that the heat is going up and swimming is starting to sound good? People say Dalian, but most of the spots I've seen there are not that appealing: super-crowded and not too clean. Hainan Island I assume is way too hot this time of the year. What about Xiamen? Are there places I'm forgetting?

By the way, I'm not necessarily averse to to pools, but my Chinese friend and I had this exchange a few years ago that made me a little hesitant to going into Chinese pools:

"Are there any good pools around?You know, public pools or anything?"

(giggling) "The university pool is okay, but I'd avoid the public pools"

"why? not that clean?"

"Only old people go..."

"why?"

"Old men hang out there and pee all day" (bursting into laughter) "It's true and gross. I won't go anymore"

So anyway, I like beaches better now.