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Best Time and Season to Visit Hong Kong: Complete Guide

Team AckoFeb 27, 2024

From Disneyland to dim sum, there is something for every traveller coming to Hong Kong. The vibe of this East Asian city is as eclectically modern as it is traditional. The modern landscape of the city does not hide its colonial past or its ancient Chinese roots. All of these elements work together to provide travellers from all over the world with the ideal Asian getaway.

Whether you want to sample Hong Kong’s delectable cuisines with its wide range of Michelin-starred restaurants or dive into shopping experiences tailor-made for every budget range, Hong Kong delivers beyond your expectations. You can either go island-hopping, take in all of the city's glory from Victoria Peak, or just visit its theme parks and call it a day. There’s just no reason to skip this city, even for the casual traveller! So here’s how you can decide on the best time to visit Hong Kong.

Contents

When is the best time to visit Hong Kong?
When is the best season to visit Hong Kong?
A month-by-month guide to travel in Hong Kong
When is the most expensive time to visit Hong Kong?
When is the cheapest time to visit Hong Kong?
When is the best time to visit Hong Kong from India?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When is the best time to visit Hong Kong?

The best time to visit Hong Kong is between October and November. Although Hong Kong can be considered a year-round destination thanks to the world-class amusements and attractions it offers travellers, elements such as good weather can elevate the experience. The weather here is subtropical and can be on the rainy side of the weather scale. This is why autumn, which generally falls between October and November, can be considered the best time to travel to Hong Kong. The rains all but disappear during this time, turning the weather lovely and warm.

The winter months, which are jam-packed with holiday celebrations, are also considered to be the best time to visit Hong Kong holidays. Even though the weather can turn a shade chilly during these months, it remains dry. The festivities and activities can entice tourists, making winter the best time of the year to visit Hong Kong.

The spring and summer months can be off-putting to some due to the heat, humidity, rain, thunderstorms, and typhoons. But there are still days where you can manage to make the most of it by keeping your plans flexible and turning to the outdoors when you get a sunny day and staying indoors when the rains come down heavily.

When is the best season to visit Hong Kong?

Autumn is the best season to visit Hong Kong. Here’s a handy breakdown of this location’s different tourist seasons.

Peak season: July and August, along with the autumn months between October and November, and the winter months of December, January, and February, can be considered the peak season for tourism in Hong Kong. The weather, festive season, and school summer breaks can influence both international and domestic tourist traffic. Even though autumn can be the best time to visit Hong Kong from India due to the weather, it can also turn out to be an expensive trip.

Shoulder season: The shoulder season in Hong Kong falls in the spring months between March and the first half of May. The weather conditions during these months are a mixed bag, with humidity, rain, mist, and sunshine taking turns to pay locals and tourists a visit. This keeps the tourist traffic down at most attractions. If you can bear the vagaries of the weather, this can be a good time to visit Hong Kong.

Low season: May and June can be considered the low season for tourism in Hong Kong. With the exception of the Dragon Boat Festival, budget travellers can get better rates during these two months, making this period the best time of the year to go to Hong Kong for them.

A month-by-month guide to travel in Hong Kong

Here’s a monthly breakdown of how to go about travelling in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong in January

Hong Kong begins the year with a chill in the air. January can be considered the coldest month. But even though the city shivers, Hong Kong’s weather in January is quite dry, as the month registers the lowest amount of rain.

Depending on the lunar calendar, the Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival, can be celebrated this month. This is a huge celebration for the Chinese, and the largest migration of humans every year in the modern age happens during this time as they travel back to their hometowns. So needless to say, domestic travel between the mainland and Hong Kong peaks, and even getting into the city might become difficult. Prices for accommodations go up, and some businesses may shut shop for the first three days of the new year. If you want to enjoy the festivities, book everything well in advance.

Temperature: 15 degrees Celsius to 21 degrees Celsius
Events: Chinese New Year

Hong Kong in February

Hong Kong's climate in February is not as cold as it is in January. There is also a bit more rain compared to January, but the weather overall is quite agreeable. Outdoor activities such as hiking can be included in your itinerary, as Hong Kong is known for its mountainous terrain. The Chinese New Year could occur in February, as can the Lantern Festival, which marks the end of the New Year celebrations.

Temperature: 15 degrees Celsius to 21 degrees Celsius
Events: Chinese New Year, Lantern Festival

Hong Kong in March

The amount of rain increases, and there is some fog as well. Make time to indulge in outdoor activities such as hiking and shopping in the local street markets if you happen to visit Hong Kong in March. Some transportation services may suffer as a result of the misty conditions that prevail during Hong Kong weather in March.

Temperature: 19 degrees Celsius to 26 degrees Celsius
Events: Hong Kong International Film Festival, Hong Kong Flower Show

Hong Kong in April

Hong Kong’s weather in April is also wet as the rain activity picks up more pace during the course of the month. Misty conditions also prevail. Hence, the weather is never constant during the spring months. But spring is still a great time to visit theme parks such as the well-known Disneyland or Ocean Park.

Temperature: 19 degrees Celsius to 26 degrees Celsius
Events: Champions Day

Hong Kong in May

The earlier part of the month is more springlike weather-wise, and a gradual shift towards the summer season begins towards the second half of the month. This means you will have to be prepared for rain, thunderstorms, humidity, and heat, all of which are hallmarks of a classic Hong Kong summer.

This month also marks the beginning of the typhoon season in Hong Kong. This should not worry you too much, as the country is very well prepared to face the event, and May itself may not witness any typhoons. But be prepared to switch up your plans in any case, as Hong Kong weather in May can be all over the place.

Temperature: 19 degrees Celsius to 26 degrees Celsius
Events: MegaIce Hockey 5’s, Cheung Chau Bun Festival, Birthday Of Lord Buddha

Hong Kong in June

The famous Dragon Boat Festival takes place in Hong Kong in the month of June. The celebrations surrounding this ancient Chinese festival enliven the city and make it a good time to visit the city to take in its rich and glorious cultural heritage.

The weather is quite wet, in fact, so wet that June is considered to be the month when it rains the most in the city. There may not be enough sunshine even though we are in the summer months, but when the sun does come out, heading to the beach is a great way to spend the day. The chances of encountering a typhoon also increase in the month of June. This month is considered low season, but since the Dragon Boat Festival is a crowd favourite, bookings should ideally be made in advance.

Temperature: 27 degrees Celsius to 31 degrees Celsius
Events: Dragon Boat Festival

Hong Kong in July

The sun makes itself known in the month of July. But this does not mean that you will get relief from rainy weather, as July is one of the wettest months. Typhoons also pose a very real threat to your itinerary this month, as the more severe ones can cause flights to be cancelled and outings to be rescheduled.

This is also peak season, as schools across China have a summer break, so expect to pay peak season rates and make your bookings in advance. Those who love shopping can rejoice, as this month sees the Hong Kong Summer Shopping Season kick-off, which offers plenty of sales and discounts.

Temperature: 27 degrees Celsius to 31 degrees Celsius
Events: Hong Kong Summer Fun, Hong Kong Summer Shopping Season

Hong Kong in August

August is both a very hot and wet month, in typical Hong Kong style. There are also the infamous Hong Kong typhoons to contend with this month. This month's rates may be influenced by the Chinese school's summer vacation. But the Hong Kong Summer Shopping Season continues, as do the Hong Kong Summer Fun events organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, providing a refuge from the weather.

Temperature: 27 degrees Celsius to 31 degrees Celsius
Events: Hong Kong Summer Fun, Hong Kong Summer Shopping Season, Seven Sisters Festival, The Hungry Ghost Festival

Hong Kong in September

There is a good chance of getting caught in a typhoon or two this month, as September is when the typhoon season really peaks in Hong Kong. On top of this, it is also a hot and humid month. So keep your plans flexible.

The Mid-Autumn Festival could fall in September. It sees Hong Kong lit up with lanterns, and all the related festivities and foods like mooncakes can make travelling worth it during September. But since this is considered a major holiday in the Chinese calendar on par with the Spring Festival, bookings will have to be made in advance.

Temperature: 27 degrees Celsius to 31 degrees Celsius
Events: Mid-Autumn Festival

Hong Kong in October

Autumn is generally the best season to visit Hong Kong. The weather is good, with a great deal of sunshine and a pleasantly warm temperature. This makes going outdoors a much better proposition. China’s National Day, which is observed from October 1st to 7th, sees a huge influx of tourists from the mainland to Hong Kong. Combine this with the fact that, with the possibility of the Mid-Autumn Festival falling in October, prices for travel to Hong Kong will be on the higher side.

Temperature: 26 degrees Celsius to 30 degrees Celsius
Events: Mid-Autumn Festival, Chinese National Day

Hong Kong in November

November is the best month to visit Hong Kong as the weather is truly at its best for the city. The rainfall levels drop, and there are clear skies. There is only a slight chance of typhoons ruining November’s perfect weather score. But since this month is the last one in Hong Kong’s typhoon season, there might not be any to deal with. So you can be out and about shopping, hiking, or even restaurant hopping without rain ruining your plans.

Temperature: 26 degrees Celsius to 30 degrees Celsius
Events: Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival, Hong Kong Great November Feast

Hong Kong in December

Even though December is officially the beginning of winter, the first half of the month should be a bit more autumn-like as far as Hong Kong weather in Decemberis concerned. The rest of the month should be comfortably cool, and there is hardly any rain in the offing. The Christmas sales add to the holiday season’s cheer, along with many other winter festivals. Hong Kong is known to usher in the New Year in style with fireworks from multiple vantage points across the city, with the most famous one at Victoria Harbour.

Temperature: 15 degrees Celsius to 21 degrees Celsius
Events: Christmas, New Year’s Eve, Christmas Shopping Season, Hong Kong Food Festival, Hong Kong Winter Festival, Winter Solstice Festival Dinner

When is the most expensive time to visit Hong Kong?

The most expensive time to visit Hong Kong would be between July and February, as this period overlaps with the peak tourist season.

July and August are when the Chinese schools are due for their summer holiday break, so a mass of Chinese Mainlanders flock to Hong Kong, and this drives up prices. September to February in Hong Kong again becomes a bit more expensive for tourists, as factors such as weather and festivities related to the Mid-Autumn Festival, the holiday season, and Chinese New Year can make it an expensive time to visit Hong Kong.

When is the cheapest time to visit Hong Kong?

May and June can be considered the more affordable times to visit Hong Kong. This is because the weather turns a bit more humid and hot. But try to avoid the period around the Dragon Boat Festival in June, as prices can go up during this stretch.

When is the best time to visit Hong Kong from India?

Autumn, between October and November, can be considered the best time to visit Hong Kong from India.The weather is great around this time, with more sunshine and less rain on the cards. This is also an expensive time to visit the country, as this is the peak tourist season, so book in advance.

Now that you are all set for your Hong Kong experience, don't forget the most important thing-travel insurance. It’s always a good idea to consider travel insurance to safeguard your trip. It may seem like a small step, but it can provide coverage for unexpected events like medical expenses, flight cancellations and delays, lost baggage, and more. So, take this extra step to make sure your trip is worry-free and unforgettable.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions and answers related to the best time to visit Hong Kong.

When is the best time to visit Disneyland in Hong Kong?

The best time to visit Disneyland would be between November and April. This is because the weather is nice during this time of year, and there are fewer people visiting the theme park. It is mostly dry and cool during this stretch. But you may want to avoid the holiday rush during the last few weeks of December and the first few weeks of January.

Which is the best month to visit Hong Kong?

By general consensus, the best month to visit Hong Kong is November.

Which month in Hong Kong receives the most rain?

June is considered to be the wettest month, as rain activity peaks during this month. August is also another very wet month. But since the city is known for its rain, some of the spring and most of the summer can see varying degrees of rain. Winter remains mostly dry, but there is still a chance of an odd shower near the end of this season.

How many days are enough to visit Hong Kong?

Hong Kong can be a lovely but quick holiday destination. Four to five days can be enough to take in this city. If you plan to visit theme parks such as Disneyland or Ocean Park, set aside a day for each. If you have time, you can add a day or two and visit the neighbouring city of Macau as well.

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Disclaimer: The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. It is based on several secondary sources on the internet, and is subject to changes.