Hong Kong Weather in May

Sticky days and sudden rain

May in Hong Kong feels hot, humid and often cloudy. The average high reaches 29°C, and humidity sits at 84%, so even a short walk through Central can feel tiring. Rain falls on many days, often in heavy bursts, and June is wetter still.

You can still enjoy dim sum in Sheung Wan, browse the shops in Mong Kok or visit the Hong Kong Museum of Art. Keep outdoor plans flexible: rain can make the Dragon's Back trail slippery and spoil the views from Victoria Peak. A ride on the Star Ferry is a good way to enjoy the harbour between showers.

May festivals and crowds

May can bring the Cheung Chau Bun Festival, with a parade, lion dances and the famous bun-scrambling contest. Its date follows the lunar calendar, so it shifts from year to year. Buddha's Birthday also falls in May; temples such as Wong Tai Sin may be busier for the holiday.

If you hate crowds, avoid Cheung Chau on festival day: the island gets packed with visitors. Outside big events, May is generally quieter than Hong Kong's popular November-to-February season. You may find less pressure on hotels and attractions than in those cooler months, though holiday dates can still be busy.

Make a rainy day work

Travelling with kids? Plan a wet-weather stop at the Hong Kong Science Museum in Tsim Sha Tsui, then cross the harbour on the Star Ferry if the rain eases.

For a local snack, try egg waffles from a street stall in Mong Kok, but find a covered spot to eat if a shower starts. Keep hikes and harbour views as optional plans rather than the centre of your day. May brings less rain than June, but it's still a poor month for relying on clear skies.