Month guide · Hong Kong · China
Hong Kong in May
What May is really like in Hong Kong: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Ashwin Kumar, CC BY-SA 2.0
Quick answer
May is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 29°C (84°F), lows of 24°C (75°F), about 15 rainy days and roughly 13.2 hours of daylight. Hot and sticky with heavy rain showers; beaches open for the swimming season and the early typhoon season begins.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 29°C (84°F) / 24°C (75°F)
- Rainy days
- About 15
- Daylight
- About 13.2 hours
- Sea temperature
- 26°C (79°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in May
May is the 5th-warmest month in Hong Kong: days average 29°C (84°F) against a yearly average high of 26°C (79°F), and nights fall to about 24°C (75°F). Rain falls on roughly 15 of its 31 days. Compared with April (26°C (79°F)), May is warmer; by June highs climb to around 31°C (88°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 05:43
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 18:56
- Daylight
- About 13.2 hours
- Sea
- 26°C (79°F)
Spring (March–May). Warm and humid with fog, drizzle and increasing showers; views from the Peak can disappear in mist.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 3 for crowds (the peak is February at 4) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in December). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in May
- Cheung Chau Bun Festival — parade and bun-tower scramble (usually around Buddha's Birthday, April or May)
- Buddha's Birthday celebrations at Po Lin Monastery (April or May)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in May
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Museum · West Kowloon
M+
Walk out to the Art Park lawn afterwards for one of the widest skyline views in Kowloon.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Rainy day
- Architecture
- Views
Museum · West Kowloon
Hong Kong Palace Museum
Opened in 2022 near M+, the Hong Kong Palace Museum shows paintings, ceramics, imperial costumes and other treasures on loan from Beijing's Palace Museum, in rotating exhibitions across nine galleries.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
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Viewpoint · The Peak
Victoria Peak and the Peak Tram
Go up an hour before sunset, walk Lugard Road as the lights come on, and return by bus 15 or taxi if the tram queue is long.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Views
- Couples
- After dark
- Photo spot
Experience · Victoria Harbour
Star Ferry
Green-and-white Star Ferry boats have crossed Victoria Harbour since the 19th century, linking Tsim Sha Tsui with Central in under ten minutes for a few Hong Kong dollars.
- Time needed
- 10 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Views
- Kids
- Couples
- After dark
The sea averages 26°C (79°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Hong Kong.
What to pack
For highs near 29°C, lows near 24°C and 15 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit Hong Kong?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with 2 notable events on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, October–December are better overall. Compare every month.
Hong Kong in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Hong Kong?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Hot and sticky with heavy rain showers; beaches open for the swimming season and the early typhoon season begins.
+How warm is Hong Kong in May?
Average highs are around 29°C (84°F) and lows around 24°C (75°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Hong Kong in May?
Expect rain on about 15 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.