Your Guide to Visiting Hong Kong in May 2025

As summer approaches and months become less and less predictable weatherwise, a common question I receive from readers is ‘Is May a good time to visit Hong Kong?’. 

Absolutely. May is a great time to visit Hong Kong. However, Spring is in the full swing of things and sweltering and sticky summer heat and humidity are not so sneakily creeping up. In fact, most ‘May days’ in Hong Kong are considered a “full-on” summer day almost everywhere in Europe or North America. For Hong Kong, it’s just another Tuesday. I feel like I need to take a shower just thinking about it.

But it’s not just the constricting heat and humidity that roll into town. May is the beginning of Hong Kong’s rainy season, when torrential downpours, monsoon rains, and ‘typhoon days’ are all expected. 

With that in mind, May is a bustling and attractive month in Hong Kong for events, festivals, and fairs. It’s also a great month for more leisurely outdoor activities, like beach days, exploration of Hong Kong’s outlying islands, and light hikes. 

Exploring the city’s countless attractions and sites on foot is still more than doable, it just takes a tad more preparation, patience, and understanding that you may not be able to go as ‘full-throttle’ as you would in cooler months.

To help you do it up right in my favorite city on earth, here is what you need to know about visiting Hong Kong in May 2025. 

Lantau Island Exploration For Buddha’s Birthday

Get enlightened and achieve your own personal Nirvana so that you don’t pay attention to the 268 steps you need to climb to get to the top.

With summer (officially) right around the corner, by Hong Kong’s standards, it’s considered somewhat of a shoulder “off-peak” month. 

This means that (a) accommodation is generally far more affordable and there are a handful of great deals on the table (ripe for the picking), (b) you still have plenty of days to explore outdoors without being fully consumed/battered by the heat and humidity. 

With that in mind, if there was any one activity or experience that I’d make sure not to miss in May is visiting the Tian Tan Buddha for Buddha’s Birthday (May 5th weekend) and pairing it with a scenic hike before ending the day at one of Hong Kong’s best beaches. In June, July, and August, hiking for many is completely out of the question (and dangerous for some), so May in Hong Kong is undoubtedly the last month before it (likely) becomes off-limits for most visitors. 

View from the top of the Big Buddha.

A recent Hong Kong itinerary that I completed and believe is one of the best yet looks like this:

Take the MTR to Tung Chung and head to Exit B. Pick up the illustrious sourdough egg tarts at Bakehouse and/or Shake Shack (depending on the time), and head to the Ngong Ping Cable 360 Car. 

Expect panoramic views of Lantau Island’s lush and mountainous terrain, Tung Chung Bay and the South China Sea, and an up-close-and-personal view of Hong Kong International Airport before arriving in Ngong Ping Village – home of the Tian Tan Buddha (aka the ‘Big Buddha’) and Po Lin Monastery. 

Climb up the steps of the 34-meter bronze statue of the Big Buddha (sat atop a lotus flower) and enjoy sweeping views of the majestic Lantau Peak (Hong Kong’s second highest peak), rolling verdant hills below, Po Lin Monastery, and even the Shek Pik Reservoir. 

I love every part of this monastery. From the Mountain Gate to the Hall of Skanda Bodhisattva, and of course, Grand Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas.

Make your way down from the Big Buddha and: 

1. Turn right to work up an appetite via the Ngong Ping Fun Walk, which takes you to the Wisdom Path at the foot of Lantau Peak, where 38 wooden monuments inscribed with Chinese calligraphy (Heart Sutra prayer) engender an almost ‘Stonehenge-esque’ feeling, or
2. Head to Po Lin Monastery (“Precious Lotus”), a revered Buddhist monastery that houses more (smaller) bronze statues of the Buddha, several halls and shrines showcasing classical Song Dynasty architecture (the ‘Grand Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas being my favorite – however, only the ground floor is open to the public), and a popular vegetarian restaurant.   

Fuel up with some glutinous rice dumplings with mango filling, bean curd, rice noodles, fried spring rolls, and other vegetarian dim sum snacks/dishes before circling back to Ngong Ping Village. To be honest, you will have already passed through Ngong Ping Village after arriving via the Cable Car, so unless you want to pick up some souvenirs, I suggest either hailing a taxi and/or taking the 21 Bus to Tai O Fishing Village. 

Taking a stroll along the Wisdom Path is worth it for this photo of the wooden columns in front of Lantau Peak.

Hint: a taxi from Ngong Ping Village to Tai O costs roughly HK$70-HK$80 (USD 9 to USD 10), which is more than worth it for arriving a bit more expeditiously. 

Tai O is a must-visit in Hong Kong. It’s a traditional Tanka fishing village set on an inlet, where the majority of houses are stilted over the waterways. It’s home to countless fresh seafood restaurants, several small shrines, and snacks galore (curry fish balls, shrimp paste, dried seafood, and fried cuttlefish patties). 

It was definitely low tide when I was at Tai O.

Stroll through the Tai O Market and choose from more seafood snacks than you can shake a stick at before grabbing a donut or peanut sesame mochi from Tai O Bakery or traditional tofu pudding from Tofu Grandma Station (located on Tai O Wing On Street – the opposite side of Tai O Market).

Follow Kat Hing Street to the Sun Ki Bridge for the best views of Tai O’s stilted houses and waterways before doubling back to the Tao O Kwan Tai Temple. Use this as your starting point to get to one of the more picturesque hikes in Hong Kong – Fu Shan Viewing Point. Follow the signs that say ‘To Pavilion’, pointing to the east and leading you on a short 20-minute walk via Kat Hing Back Street. 

This will take you along the back streets of Tai O. Keep an eye out for all the cats and cat signage/murals on houses and buildings. Tai O loves cats, as they were a practical solution to a once terrible rodent infestation. Pass by the Yeung Hau Temple before making your way to the Tai O Observation Deck for views of the 55-kilometer Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge and the Pearl Estuary. 

You aren’t done. Retrace your steps (less than 3 minutes) to the northern corner of the empty (abandoned?) Christian Zheng Sheng College building and follow the steps up Fu Shan Viewing Point. 

I cannot recommend Fu Shan Viewing Point enough. It is definitely a highlight of all the hikes I’ve been on – even though it is relatively short!

It will take less than 15 minutes of moderate incline before reaching the top, where stunning views of the world’s longest cross-sea bridge, the Pearl Estuary, Tai O, horseshoe-shaped shrines and graves, and even the elusive Chinese white dolphins (on a clear day). Some say it’s best experienced at sunset, however, you really can’t go wrong any time of the day. 

No better way to wind down than at the Mui Wo Cooked Food Market (Shun Hing Seafood) with a Blue Girl and some fresh seafood.

After making your way down from Fu Shan, after posing with several dolphin statues randomly placed on the trail, you now have several options.

1. Take the number 1 or 11 bus to Lower Cheung Sha Beach for a sunset swim and dinner at Lantana Beach Club,
2. Take the number 1 or 11 bus to Pui O Beach for a sunset swim and bite at one of the numerous restaurants along South Lantau Road,
3. Take a taxi and/or number 1 Bus to Mui Wo for a sunset dip at Silvermine Beach and dinner at the Mui Wo Cooked Food Market (fresh seafood like you read about!), or
4. Retrace your steps and take the Ngong Ping Cable Car back to Tung Chung, take the 21 bus, or take a taxi. 

Personally, number 3 is perfection in my opinion. And you can cap the night off by taking the Mui Wo ferry back to Central. 

This can all be feasibly tackled in one day. I recommend arriving at Ngong Ping no later than 11 AM. 

Hong Kong in May: Best Things to Do

I think its name sums things up better than I ever could – Pavilion of Absolute Perfection.

With rain obviously becoming more and more of a common occurrence (nuisance?) in the month of May and the summer months, it’s inevitable that a rainy day or two may affect your trip. 

But don’t worry, you won’t have to miss a step if you check out my guide to the unique rainy day activities in Hong Kong. It’s part and parcel of living in the city, so consider it a true Hong Kong experience – one that residents and locals know all too well.  

For sunny and manageable weather days, make sure to read my post detailing the best hikes in Hong Kong for explorers of all skill levels. 

As mentioned above, the name of the game in May is celebrating Buddha’s Birthday (May 5th), so there is no better place to go than the Tian Tan Buddha. 

However, the Big Buddha isn’t the only spot for devotees of Gautama and holiday celebrations. 

A second popular site that happens to be one of my all-time favorites in Hong Kong is the Chi Lin Nunnery, the world’s largest hand-made wooden building which is home to roughly 60 nuns. Adjacent, you’ll find the Nan Lian Garden, one of Hong Kong’s most vibrant classical Chinese gardens with a striking golden octagonal pagoda with a bright orange bridge, the Pavilion of Absolute Perfection, directly in the center of a pond. 

Almost hidden in the lush backdrop of the garden and behind several manmade waterfalls is Chi Lin Vegetarian, a contemporary Chinese restaurant serving up vegetarian dim sum favorites. 

The Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery in Shatin, which is actually home to 13,000 Buddha statues, is another popular spot to celebrate the Buddha’s Birthday and can be paired with Chi Lin Nunnery/Nan Lian Garden (for the ambitious!).  

Cheung Chau is my happy place.

For a look into a side of Hong Kong that many tourists don’t ever experience, make the pilgrimage out to one of its many outlying islands like Cheung Chau, Peng Chau, or Po Toi. They are a much-welcomed (and stark) contrast to the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong Island and provide a unique look into Hong Kong’s heritage and natural beauty. 

Rent a bike along the pier, cycle the island (whichever one it is), eat fresh seafood along the pier, toss back mochi snacks for days, and take a swim at one of the many beaches. It’s the ideal weather for sandy beaches, picnics, and family-friendly hiking trails (all of which are very flat!). 

Cheung Chau is my go-to outlying island thanks to its profusion of seafood restaurants along the pier, Po Tsai Pirate Cave, quaint little cafes, and, of course, its celebration of the Cheung Chau Bun Festival (in May). 

Each year, the Cheung Chau Bun Festival falls on Buddha’s Birthday (beginning of May). It’s one of the quirkier (and more authentic) festivals out there, as it involves a sacrificial Taoist ceremony known as the ‘bun scrambling competition’. 

This beloved competition draws tens of thousands of festival-goers every single year and involves several appointed climbers who race up three 60-foot conical bamboo towers covered in buns, collecting as many as possible within a 3-minute timeframe. 

Hint: the more buns collected, the more auspicious for the climber’s family and their fortunes that year!

Hard not to love this dragon boat house/shop art out in Tai O.

The Dragon Boat Festival, a revered celebration of humanity and nature, takes place on the last day of the month (May 31st). It’s one of the most significant Chinese festivals and is commemorated by eating rice dumplings and, of course, dragon boat races. International and local teams of dragon boaters go head to head in Stanley, Aberdeen, Sai Kung, Tai Po, and 

Shatin, vying for gold. 

Stanley is hands down the largest of all dragon boat races in Hong Kong (and actually in the world) and is my recommended race to go see if you want a taste of 2000 years of dragon boating history. 

Pale Ale Travel Tip: Contrary to belief, Hong Kong can actually be done on a reasonable budget. The only major expense is accommodation. However, I’ve got you covered on that front. Here are the best budget-friendly hotels in Hong Kong that are still packed with amenities. 

Additional electrifying May events this 2025 include: 

• Boiler Room (May 4th), a popular underground 360-degree club and dance experience that sees a DJ booth placed smack-dab in the middle of a dance floor. There are no crowd barriers, making it a popular entry point for local DJs and artists looking to make a name for themselves and dancers/music enthusiasts who want an intimate look at how DJs ‘work’. Oh, and it’s live-streamed to millions. 
• The Affordable Art Fair (May 22nd to May 25th) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, where enthusiasts can enjoy workshops, galleries, live paintings, and large-scale installations all centered on contemporary art under HK$100,000. 
• A one-of-a-kind experience at the Hong Kong Whiskey Festival (May 31st to June 1st) for whiskey enthusiasts (and novices), where interactive tastings, masterclasses, and rare/limited edition casks all flow freely (1,100-plus spirits!). 

Finally, for a true Hong Kong ‘summer experience’ consider chartering a ‘junk boat’ (15 to 20 person minimum) or joining an already planned junk boat party (ex. Meetup.com is a great spot to find one!). 

Banana boat rides, catered food, and enough booze to kill an elephant. It’s the ultimate summer party for those who want to catch some rays while lounging in the water at Clearwater Bay, Repulse Bay, Deepwater Bay, South Bay Beach, and other popular (pristine) beaches.

Hong Kong Weather in May

I love posting up with a view of the skyline when the weather is less than ideal.

The month of May in Hong Kong is right on the cusp of summer, meaning that intense heat and humidity may occur. However, the worst is yet to come so you’re still in luck. 

Average May temperatures in Hong Kong hover between 23°C (73.4°F) and 29°C (84°F), reaching as high as 33°C (91°F) on especially ‘spicy’ days. Unsurprisingly, as the month progresses, temperatures settle at the higher end of that range. 

For those who engage in strenuous outdoor activities, May is definitely the month where you need to begin taking certain precautions (hydrate, hydrate, hydrate) and listening to your body should you begin to feel ill/off. Ultraviolet radiation is also near its peak, so sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, and light clothes that cover sensitive areas (ex. neck) are essential. 

What’s most noticeable about May in Hong Kong is that this is where the frequency it rains and the amount it rains really amps up, averaging 15 days of rain for the whole month. Total rainfall can exceed one foot throughout the month, sometimes even more depending on the severity of thunderstorms. 

As the month progresses, tropical cyclones and typhoons (a stronger cyclone) also increase in intensity and frequency. So, if you want to err on the side of caution when booking your trip to Hong Kong in May, opt for the beginning to middle of the month. 

Humidity averages just under 90%, which makes it one of the city’s most humid and ‘muggy’ months. 

While the end of April sees rainfall pick up significantly, May is officially considered the start of Hong Kong’s rainy/wet season. That also means that it’s the official start of ‘typhoon season’. Severe rainstorms, flooding, and the city’s closing of most major operations (including schools, restaurants, and government offices) isn’t out of the ordinary. You’ve been warned.

Pale Ale Travel Tip: Unfortunately, the weather in May in Hong Kong can be unpredictable, so pack wisely. Here are my must-bring items that should be on everyone’s Hong Kong packing list. 

What to Wear in May in Hong Kong

Forgot a hat or any other type of clothing? Head to the Ladies’ Market in Mong Kok for affordable (often knock-off) clothes and other goods.

Ladies and gentlemen, it’s summer. So, bring your finest summer attire. That means shorts, skirts, t-shirts, flip-flops (thongs for you Australians), dresses, and other relaxed/light accessories and clothing. 

However, on some occasions, daily lows can still drop to the high teens/low twenties (Celsius), so make sure to bring a light jacket, sweatshirt, blazer, or shawl. 

NOT bringing a rain jacket isn’t even in the question. 15 days of rain per month! Ponchos and umbrellas can be picked up at convenience and home goods stores for affordable prices, so if you forgot to pack one, it isn’t the end of the world. 

If you’re from North America or Europe, this is going to be considered your ‘peak summer’, so I strongly recommend bringing whatever clothes you might typically wear in July and August. For those from Southeast Asia, Africa, South America, and other climates with comparable temperatures, keep in mind that sometimes it isn’t just the heat to worry about but the humidity as well. 

I’ve found that this can completely sap you of energy and especially be a nuisance for packing, as you really need to prioritize light, breathable clothing. 

Swimming trunks and bathing suits are a must. This is prime beach and watersport weather, people!

Hiking shoes are mandatory should you plan on hitting the trails, as routes can get steep and tricky, and proper footwear is a lifesaver (especially when you are battling other elements). To protect my face and neck, I can almost always be seen wearing a bucket hat or draping a small towel over my head.  

Finally, I may be a weirdo but I constantly walk around during the summer months with a microfiber towel which I can easily use to wipe my face. It dries quickly and can be rolled in my pocket. 

Pale Ale Travel Tip: Do you only have 24 hours or less in Hong Kong? Make sure to check out my one-day Hong Kong itinerary and Hong Kong layover guide so that you don’t Charlie Brown walk your way out of town feeling like you missed out!

Is May a Good Time to Visit Hong Kong?

Curry fish balls (from Tai O) are one of the G.O.A.T.’ed Hong Kong snacks.

In my humble opinion, every month is a great time to visit Hong Kong. May, especially, is the perfect month for travelers who want to experience some of Hong Kong’s best festivals, hit the trails for hiking, post up at the beach for a day of relaxation, explore the city’s outlying islands, and feel the true energy of the city before everyone sequesters themselves for summer. 

My only recommendation is that you will need to be flexible. Understand that once you enter the month of May, weather becomes more erratic and there is a chance (a chance!) that a specific day or two may be rained out or need to be shifted around. 

To hedge your bets and ensure that you don’t get completely rained out and/or drenched in sweat from the heat and humidity, consider booking your trip in early or mid-May. That’s also when Buddha’s birthday, the Cheung Chau Bun Festival, Tin Hau Festival, and Hong Kong Whiskey Festival take place, so you’ll be sure to not only get a taste of the city’s frenetic energy but also its culture and heritage as well!

For other monthly guides and suggestions on what to do when visiting Hong Kong: check out these articles:

• The Best Time to Visit Hong Kong
• Visiting Hong Kong in February
• Visiting Hong Kong in March
• Visiting Hong Kong in April

And don’t forget to check out my Hong Kong mega-page, where you’ll find everything from activities to accommodation, restaurants, and other practical information. 

If you have any questions about visiting Hong Kong in May or planning a trip, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me! I offer customized Hong Kong travel itineraries for all budgets, so if this sounds like something you’d be interested in, inquire about pricing!

Travel well everyone,

Big Body