Planning to check out Hong Kong? Great choice – this buzzing city is one of my favorites in Asia! There is so much to do here! But perhaps you’re not sure what time to visit Hong Kong – well, I’m here to help.
I’ve visited Hong Kong a couple of times now, and in all the different seasons. And below I’ve listed all the pros and cons for each season in Hong Kong.
Yep, I’ve been to Hong Kong in the winter and loved the festive light display the city puts on, I’ve visited in summer when it’s super hot, and I’ve been in Spring when all the parks are in bloom (this is such a pretty time to visit Hong Kong!). But my favorite season in Hong Kong has to be Autumn! Why? Well, you’ve just have to read on to find out.
💡Quick Tip! My favorite hotel in Hong Kong is the modern Renaissance Harbour View on Hong Kong Island, a 4-star property with excellent harbour views and spacious rooms. A room here costs from just $50 USD per night 🛏️
Spring (Best for Nature Lovers)
Spring in Hong Kong runs from March to May. During these months, the weather’s just right – not too hot, not too cold – sitting around 18°C to 25°C (64°F to 77°F).
Which means it’s perfect for wandering through the lively streets, checking out the markets, and hitting up outdoor spots without sweating buckets. Plus, the city’s buzzing with color thanks to cool events like the Hong Kong Flower Show and the Cheung Chau Bun Festival, which are super fun and give you a taste of the local culture.
If you’re into nature, you’ll love the hiking trails on Lantau Island or the Dragon’s Back, as everything’s blooming and green. And it’s all so photogenic.
And the best part? Spring isn’t peak tourist season, so you don’t (typically) have to deal with crowds.
⭐ Don’t forget to grab an eSIM Hong Kong plan before you go – staying connected makes exploring so much easier.
Best things to do in Hong Kong in Spring:
Kowloon Walled City Park
This park is huge (31,000 square meters), so you will only be able to explore a small section of it. It’s very scenic and resembles a Jiangnan (a garden of the early Qing dynasty).
The main features here are the Eight Floral Walks, the Garden of the Chinese Zodiac, and the Mountain View Pavilion.
Hong Kong Park
Hong Kong Park is located off Cotton Tree Drive in Central Hong Kong. It’s a whopping 80,000 acres in size. And is best described as a relaxing oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Spend an hour or so here walking around the man-made lake and checking out the waterfall. If you can spare more time, there’s also a bird aviary and a teaware museum here.
Go hiking on Lantau Island
Lantau Island has a bunch of hiking trails for all kinds of hikers. The Lantau Trail is probably the most famous, stretching 70 kilometers in a loop through all sorts of terrains, from green hills and peaceful beaches to traditional villages. It offers killer panoramic views of the South China Sea and the nearby islands. Another favorite is the hike to the Big Buddha, where the climb pays off with the stunning sight of the Tian Tan Buddha statue.
Top tips for Spring in Hong Kong:
- Pack a rain jacket – light rain/ drizzle is common in spring.
- Spring is technically off-peak in Hong Kong, so you will get more ‘bang for your buck’ at this time of year.
📖 Related Read: Hong Kong Layover Guide: Things to Do in 6, 10, and 12 Hours
Summer (Best for Those Who Love Heat)
Summer in Hong Kong runs from June to August. And as you can guess, the city gets VERY HOT! Yep, summer means hot and humid weather, with temps often climbing above 30°C (86°F) and regular rain showers thanks to it being the monsoon season.
So, it’s safe to say that summer in Hong Kong comes with ups and downs.
But, even with the heat, the city buzzes with life and has tons to offer. Dive into the local culture with visits to temples and museums (we like the Hong Kong Museum of Art), or shop till you drop in its famous shopping centers – Harbour City and Times Square are two of the best.
Yes, indoor activities are a good shout during the day here in summer. As it means air-con (aka heaven!)
And don’t skip a trip to Victoria Peak for amazing skyline views or a ferry ride across Victoria Harbour.
Best things to do in Hong Kong in Summer:
Central Mid-Levels Escalator
The Central Mid-Levels Escalator can be found on Jubilee Street in Central Hong Kong. It is, in fact, the longest outdoor covered escalator in the world. If you’re a movie buff, you may be interested to learn that the escalators were used in The Dark Knight (the Batman movie) and many Chinese movies.
Peak Tram to Victoria Peak
Hopping on the Peak Tram to Victoria Peak is one of those must-do Hong Kong activities.
The tram ride takes around 10 minutes, and on the way up, you’ll get a birds-eye view of the city. At the top, you’ll find a shopping center and the Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. You can also head up to Peak Tower, aka the upper terminal of the Peak Tram – from the viewing platform here, you can take in what I reckon is the best view of Hong Kong.
📌 You can pre-book the Peak Tram and Sky Terrace Pass here. You can use it at any time on the day you book for. It costs from $17 USD for a return ticket.
Hop on the Star Ferry
The Star Ferry is the best way to see the city all lit up at night. You’ll also get to check out the Symphony of Lights light show that takes place on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront every evening at around 8 pm.
Tips for visiting Hong Kong in Summer:
- Drink plenty of water and wear sunscreen.
- Plan for mostly indoor activities when it’s scorching out – places like the Hong Museum of Art and Harbour City Shopping Center.
Autumn (My favorite time to visit Hong Kong)
Autumn in Hong Kong is from September to November, and this is my absolute favorite time to visit Hong Kong. Why, you ask – well, because it’s quieter, the weather is mild (with clear skies – yay!), and the city’s parks are bursting with fall colors!
We spent around a week in Hong Kong at this time of year, and I’ve gotta say the weather’s just right in Fall – not too hot, not too cold, with temps hanging out between 19°C and 28°C (66°F to 82°F). These mild temps are great for wandering around the busy streets and taking in the sights.
Plus, autumn is when Hong Kong throws some awesome cultural festivals, like the Mid-Autumn Festival. You get to try delicious mooncakes and see the city all lit up with beautiful lanterns.
And as I said, the parks and gardens turn into colorful wonderlands as the leaves change color.
Best things to do in Hong Kong in Autumn:
Monster Building
If you’ve seen Transformers: Age of Extinction, this building will look familiar!
Yick Cheong Building, or the Monster Building, as it’s been nicknamed by locals, isn’t actually a single building but a complex composed of five connecting structures. They were built during a population boom in the 60s to offer government-subsidized housing for low-income residents. And they’re now regarded as one of the best Instagram spots in Hong Kong!
Choi Hung Estate
Choi Hung Estate is one of the coolest spots in Hong Kong! The buildings are actually council flats, and back in the 70s, the council decided to paint them all different colors to lift the residents’ spirits. Interestingly, its nickname is “Rainbow Estate”, a fitting moniker given the vibrant, rainbow-colored facade.
Check out the markets
There are hundreds, if not thousands, of market stalls scattered across Hong Kong. They remain a staple in everyday Hong Kong society, and the locals use them to buy anything from meat to beauty products. One of the busiest markets in Kowloon is Ladies Market in Mongkok.
But arguably the prettiest market in Kowloon is the Flower Market in the Mongkok neighborhood. Here you’ll be treated to a dizzying visual display of colorful flowers and plants. It’s like being in a dream, wandering the narrow street that’s overflowing with flowers of all colors of the rainbow.
Tips for visiting Hong Kong in Autumn:
- Autumn is considered high season, so it would be wise to book your hotel and activities well in advance.
- Bring a light jacket for the evenings (when it gets cooler).
Winter (Perfect for Those Who Dislike Crowds)
In winter, which is from December to February in Hong Kong, the weather is pretty chilly. You’re looking at around 15°C to 20°C (59°F to 68°F) during the day, which is awesome weather for wandering the city’s streets.
Plus, this is when Hong Kong gets all decked out for the holidays, with Christmas lights and all the fun of Chinese New Year (January/ February), to be experienced – think parades, fireworks, and cool markets.
FYI, for Christmas lights, head to Lee Tung Avenue and Pacific Place and as for the best place to experience the Chinese New Year festivities – we loved seeing the Victoria Harbour Fireworks and the parade in Tsim Sha Tsui.
Best things to do in Hong Kong in Winter:
Temple Street Night Market
The vibrant Temple Street Night Market near Jordan Station is a super lively and energetic spot to grab some delicious street food. Walking through here is like an assault on all your senses – in the best way possible.
Its former nickname as a “poor man’s nightclub” rings true as it is where locals come to socialize, now that Hong Kong has gotten so expensive to party in.
The street food there is out of this world. You’ll find street food stalls mixed in with market stalls – selling everything from clothing to trinkets. It’s a sense-evoking experience – noise, smells, and colors!
Lok Wah Estate
Just off Chun Wah Road in Kwun Tong is Lok Wah South Estate, a series of public rental housing estates that are not much to look at, save for a few fun & quirky elements. The roof of the parking garage is Lok Wah’s most photographed asset. The roof hosts turquoise-colored concentric circles that serve as both a bizarre subject and a fascinating backdrop.
See the lights
No visit to Hong Kong would be complete without a snapshot of the city’s famous neon lights. Apparently, in the next few years, the shops of Hong Kong are slowly making the transition to LED lights, which do not have the same magic as neon.
Other than Nathan Road, you can photograph the glimmering lights of Hong Kong on Jordan Road, Tung Choi Street, and Lockhart Road.
Tips for visiting Hong Kong in Winter:
- If you plan to visit over the Chinese New Year (end of January/ early February) be sure to book well in advance and prepare for higher prices for accommodation.
- Pack a jacket/ cardigan for nighttime, as it does get chilly.
Where to Stay in Hong Kong
We were on a budget when we visited Hong Kong, so we chose to stay at the Holiday Inn Express in Kowloon. Rooms are cheap (around $80 USD a night) and exactly what you’d expect from the Holiday Inn brand – clean and comfortable. Although they are on the small side. Given the hotel’s central location, we were able to walk pretty much everywhere in Kowloon, and we were near Kwun Tong Station when we wanted to go further afield.
When I next visit Hong Kong, I’d like to splurge – we passed the Kowloon Shangri-La hotel a couple of times during our stay in the city, and it looks fantastic. It’s a 5-star harbourside property, and looking at their website and reading reviews, their rooms look so opulent. Many of their rooms also overlook Victoria Harbour – imagine waking up to that view? The Shangri-La also has a gorgeous indoor pool and spa. It’s surprisingly reasonably priced at around $160 USD a night.
Because both options are in Kowloon (the older part of the city), if you’re keen to stay on Hong Kong Island, then I recommend the modern Renaissance Harbour View, a 4-star property with excellent harbour views and spacious rooms. A room here costs from just $50 USD per night.
Thanks for Reading!
I hope this guide has helped you decide what time is best for you to visit Hong Kong! I know everyone likes different things, so, although I love Autumn here, others may love visiting Hong Kong in Summer when it’s super-hot!
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Booking Your Trip Soon? These are my go-to booking sites!
Below you will find a list of the sites we always use when booking our trips. By booking via the links below you can support my writing at no additional cost to you. Thanks so much!
1. Flights
I use Cheapoair to find the best flights. It allows you to compare and book flights on over 500 airlines from across the globe.
2. Hotels
I use Booking.com for all of our hotel stays. And if we’re traveling on a budget, I like to use Hostelworld to book a hostel.
3. Renting a Car
We tend to always book our rental car through Discover Cars. This is a search engine for rental cars and allows you to filter by price if you’re on a budget or by vehicle type if there’s a specific car you’re after.
4. Tours
I use Viator or Get Your Guide to book any guided tours we plan on doing. I find Viator particularly good for the USA, Canada & New Zealand, and Get Your Guide is great for Europe.
5. Travel Sim Card
An eSIM is a great idea if you’re coming to a place for more than a week. As that way, you won’t need to change your number or remove the physical SIM from your phone. They are so handy and cheap, too. Obviously, make sure your phone is compatible with an eSIM first. We always use Saily or Orbit Mobile for our eSIM’s. You can use AIMEE10 for a 10% discount with Orbit Mobile.
6. Airport Pick-Ups
Instead of cabs, we book with welcome pickup to get from the airport to our hotel. Why did we do that? The drivers from Welcome Pickups are English speaking and you’ll pay a flat rate. So, you know exactly how much you’re paying before hopping in.
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Last Updated on November 27, 2025 by snaphappytravel