Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of China on the southern coast, made up of Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon peninsula, the New Territories and more than 200 outlying islands. It pairs one of the world's densest skylines with country parks, beaches and fishing villages, all linked by an efficient metro and ferry network.
Hong Kong has a humid subtropical climate (Koppen Cwa) with hot, wet summers and mild, dry winters. Mean temperatures range from about 16C in January to 29C in July. About 80 percent of the roughly 2,400 mm annual rainfall falls between May and September. October to December is the most comfortable period. Typhoons occur mainly between June and October. Averages below are approximate Hong Kong Observatory 1991-2020 normals.
Best time to visit
Overall Best: October to December
Reasons:
- Dry, sunny and comfortable (14-28C) with the clearest skyline views
- Best conditions for hiking (Dragon's Back, Lantau Trail) and outlying islands
- Sevens rugby, Wine and Dine Festival and Christmas lights fall in this window
- Lower risk of typhoons than August and September
Month-by-month weather
Typical conditions throughout the year.
January
16°C/62°F
Cool, dry and sunny; the start of the best hiking weather. Occasional cold snaps drop below 10C.
February
17°C/63°F
Cool and increasingly humid with fog and drizzle; Chinese New Year fills streets with flower markets and fireworks.
March
20°C/67°F
Warming and humid; misty mornings and the first spring showers. Art Basel Hong Kong takes place in late March.
April
24°C/74°F
Warm and humid with frequent showers. Fog can block harbour views but temperatures are comfortable.
May
27°C/80°F
Hot, humid and wet; the rainy season begins. Thunderstorms and amber or red rainstorm warnings become common.
June
29°C/83°F
Hot, wet and stormy; the rainiest period of the year. Dragon Boat Festival races light up the harbours.
July
29°C/85°F
Peak of summer heat and typhoon season begins. Very humid, with sudden heavy rain.
August
29°C/84°F
Hot and humid with the highest typhoon risk. Black rainstorm warnings and signal No. 8 have occurred in August.
September
28°C/83°F
Still hot and humid with peak typhoon activity; Mid-Autumn Festival lantern displays in Victoria Park in late September.
October
26°C/79°F
Autumn brings dry, clear, comfortable weather and lower humidity: one of the best months to visit.
November
22°C/72°F
Cooler, dry and sunny, with the best visibility of the year for skyline views. Peak season for hiking and photography.
December
18°C/64°F
Cool, dry and sunny; Christmas lights on the harbour and the Symphony of Lights. Hotel prices peak around New Year.
The seasons
What to expect in each part of the year.
Spring
Months: Mar-May
Warm and increasingly humid (20-27C) with fog, drizzle and thunderstorms by May. Visibility over the harbour is often poor.
Summer
Months: Jun-Aug
Hot, humid and wet (28-32C) with heavy rain and typhoon risk. Heat index often above 38C.
Fall
Months: Sep-Nov
September is still hot and stormy but October and November are dry, sunny and comfortable (22-28C). The best months for hiking and photography.
Winter
Months: Dec-Feb
Cool and dry (14-20C), with occasional cold fronts dropping under 10C. Skies are clear in December and hazy in February.
Crowds & peak times
When to expect tourists and when to avoid them.
- High Season
- Chinese New Year (Jan-Feb), Golden Week (1-7 Oct), Christmas to New Year, and during the Rugby Sevens and Art Basel weeks. Mainland arrivals peak during mainland public holidays.
- Shoulder Season
- October to December (peak comfort), March to April
- Low Season
- June to August: hot, wet and typhoon-prone but hotels are cheapest and attractions least crowded
Major events & festivals
Time your visit around what matters.
Chinese New Year
Parade at night in Tsim Sha Tsui, fireworks over Victoria Harbour on the second day, flower markets at Victoria Park and Mong Kok, and horse racing at Sha Tin on the third day. Many shops close for 3 days.
Hong Kong Marathon
Road race through Hong Kong Island and Kowloon; roads close until midday.
Art Basel Hong Kong
Major contemporary art fair at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, with satellite exhibitions across the city.
Ching Ming Festival and Easter holidays
Ching Ming (Tomb-Sweeping Day) around 4-5 April brings family visits to cemeteries and bank holidays.
Cheung Chau Bun Festival
A 3-day Taoist festival on Cheung Chau island with bun-towers, parades and a midnight bun-scrambling event. Held around Buddha's Birthday in the lunar 4th month.
Dragon Boat Festival (Tuen Ng)
Dragon boat races at Victoria Harbour, Stanley, Sha Tin and Aberdeen; zongzi rice dumplings sold everywhere.
Hungry Ghost Festival
Lunar 7th month: street offerings, paper burning and Cantonese opera in Kennedy Town and Sheung Wan.
Mid-Autumn Festival
Lantern displays at Victoria Park, fire dragon dance in Tai Hang, and mooncakes. Public holiday on the following day.
Hong Kong Sevens (Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens)
Three-day rugby tournament at Kai Tak Sports Park (stadium at 1 Kai Tak Boulevard). Book tickets and hotels months ahead.
Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival
Waterfront food and wine fair at the Central Harbourfront.
Hong Kong Winterfest and Christmas lights
Harbour-side light displays, a large Christmas tree at Statue Square and New Year countdown fireworks over Victoria Harbour.
A Symphony of Lights
Free light and laser show across Victoria Harbour, best seen from the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront promenade or the Wan Chai waterfront. Cancelled in typhoons and black rainstorms.