What's the Weather like in Hong Kong in May
Temperature
Hong Kong really starts to warm up in May. Average daytime temperatures hit 29°C and nights only cool down to 23°C. These temperatures make the May monthly average temperature in Hong Kong 26°C. Daytime temperatures towards the end of the month, going into June, are typically 30°C.
On occasion, the daytime temperatures in Hong Kong can reach 33°C in May.
Rain
Rainfall in Hong Kong starts to pick up in May. It rains for, on average, 15 days out of the month, with rainfall totals averaging 158mm. Towards the end of the month, however, the 31-day average gets as high as 234mm.
There is a small chance of tropical cyclone formation in May, though it is very early in the season for this. Cyclones rarely get close to Hong Kong but can increase rainfall.
Sunshine Hours
The days in Hong Kong are long in May, averaging 13 hours. However, with all of the rain, there's typically only five hours of sunshine every day in May. The skies are mostly overcast, with increasing cloud cover throughout the month. While there is only a 60% chance of mostly cloudy to overcast skies in the beginning of the month, that number increases to a 83% chance of cloudy skies by the end of May.
Humidity
Cloudy skies, rain, and increasing temperatures can make May fairly miserable. The average relative humidity in May averages 84%. With daytime temperatures near 30°C you may want to stay near air conditioning.
Wind
Hong Kong's winds in May keep a consistent strength from April, averaging 4.4m/s throughout the month. The direction of the winds starts to shift more southerly, with periods of easterly winds.
Dress Code
You'll want to think through what to pack when you visit Hong Kong in May. The increasing rains mean you'll definitely want to bring an umbrella and a raincoat. With the increasing temperatures and humidity, light, loose-fitting clothing will be more comfortable. But keep in mind that Hong Kong loves air conditioning, and some indoor locations can be downright cold. You may want to bring a light pullover for these locations. There's nothing wrong with wearing shorts and sandals while sightseeing in Hong Kong, but for going out at night you'll want something more conservative like long pants or a dress. Take a look at this forecast as you're packing for a better idea of expected weather conditions.
Hong Kong Hotels in May
Burlington Hotel
The affordable Burlington Hotel has a great location in the Wan Chai district, especially if rains or heat drives you indoors. You'll be ideally situated near shopping malls, restaurants, nightlife, and other entertainment options. The convention center is only minutes away, as is the nearest MTR station for further exploration of the city. You'll find 163 air-conditioned modern rooms at this new high-rise hotel. There is no restaurant on-site.
JW Marriott
The sophisticated JW Marriott Hotel is all about stellar views. You can take your pick between views of the mountains, the lively harbor, or the towering Hong Kong skyline. This hotel features 602 rooms, all with flat-screen TVs and marble bathrooms. The Marriott is located in the Admiralty district, with the expansive Pacific Place Mall and many other dining and entertainment options. If you don't want to leave the hotel, you'll find eight different restaurants at the Marriott featuring a variety of cuisines. The Marriott also has an indoor swimming pool and fitness center.
The Langham
For an exquisite European-style day spa experience, book the five-star Langham Hong Kong. This fancy hotel is located in the Tsim Sha Tsui district, near the water and surrounded by plenty of shopping opportunities, including the sprawling Harbor City mall. The Langham has 498 modern, air-conditioned rooms with large windows to take in the gorgeous views surrounding the hotel. The wellness center is at the top, featuring an outdoor pool, spa, treatment rooms, and fitness center. There are a number of restaurants and lounges at the Langham also, including the award-winning T'ang Court restaurant. The MTR station is just steps outside the hotel doors, and the Star Ferry is a quick walk.
Dorsett Kwun Tong
The four-star, extremely affordable Dorsett Kwun Tong is located right in the center of Kowloon East. The Kwun Tong MTR station is a short, easy walk. If the rain and humidity are keeping you indoors, you'll find a number of shopping malls and dining options in the immediate vicinity of the hotel. The hotel features 361 air-conditioned rooms with modern amenities. The brand new hotel also has free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TVs, a business center, gym, and shuttle bus. There is one Cantonese restaurant at the hotel, and a poolside bar at their outdoor swimming pool.
Bars and Restaurants
Yan Toh Heen, InterContinental
The Yan Toh Heen restaurant serves fine Cantonese cuisine, located in the InterContinental Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui district. This exceptional restaurant has earned awards that really do make it one of the best Chinese restaurants in the world. Dim sum is one of their specialties, and the rest of the menu features traditional and fusion Asian dishes. The menu rotates on a seasonal basis, guaranteeing the freshest ingredients. Yan Toh Heen's menu also accommodates children, vegetarians, vegans, and those with gluten sensitivities. Reservations are recommended. Yan Toh Heen is open for lunch from noon until 2:30PM Monday thru Saturday and 11:30AM-3PM on Sunday. Dinner hours are from 6PM-11PM daily.
Komune
Komune is one of Hong Kong's most popular restaurants, known just as much for their specialty cocktails as they are their unique South American cuisine with Asian influences. The patio is very trendy, even in the warmer months, but plenty of indoor dining is available as well. Komune has a full bar with happy hour food and hand-crafted cocktails. Everyone raves about their breakfast, served all day, but they also have a great lunch and dinner menu, all made with organic and premium ingredients. Komune is located near Ocean Park and is open every day from 6:30AM until 11PM.
Charlie Brown Café
Looking to bring the kids to an entertaining, kid-friendly eatery? Try the Charlie Brown Café. Even if you don't have kids you should try it out. This eclectic restaurant is all about the Peanuts characters, and the fun décor and menu items are all reflective of this. Breakfast is served all day and they also have a number of sandwiches and burgers on their menu for the later crowd. Or just stop in for a cup of coffee, it's very popular for that too. The café is known for their macaroons, croissant sandwiches, and tasty pancakes. Opening hours are 9AM on weekends and 9:30AM weekdays, with closing at 10PM Sunday through Thursday and 10:30PM Friday and Saturday.
MO Bar, Landmark Mandarin Oriental
Inside the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Central Hong Kong hides the MO Bar, a cool, stylish cocktail lounge & restaurant. They have a large selection of specialty hand-crafted drinks, served up by some of the best bartenders in the city. The menu is great too, featuring contemporary dishes with European and Asian flavors made with nothing but the freshest organic ingredients. You may want to try every course here, from their excellent breakfast buffet to their fine dinner & dessert menu. Food is served from 7AM-11PM with the bar open until 1AM Monday thru Wednesday, 1:30AM Thursday thru Saturday, and 11:30PM on Sunday.
Things to do in Hong Kong in May
Hong Kong Disneyland
May is still a reasonable time to explore Hong Kong Disneyland on a nice day, and if some of those rains move in or the humidity starts to get to you, you can just move indoors. Don't expect it to be the size of Disney parks in America, but it still has the same great attractions you'd see in their counterparts overseas. Adults enjoy the mine cars and Hyperspace Mountain, and the kids of course love Dumbo and the teacups. Hong Kong Disneyland is even complete with Sleeping Beauty's Castle. The park is open daily from 10:30AM until 8:30PM.
Hong Kong Museum of History
One of the top rainy day activities in Hong Kong is the Hong Kong Museum of History. This expansive museum will walk you through the history of the region, from prehistoric days up until modern times. The free museum has some unique exhibits; they're not the traditional displays behind glass, they're actual mockups that you can walk through to enhance your learning experience. Exploring the well-organized sections of the museum easily takes a few hours, or you could spend the entire day and still not see it all. The museum is in the Tsim Sha Tsui district. Weekday hours are from 10AM-6PM and weekends are from 10AM-7PM. The museum is closed on Tuesdays.
Tsz Shan Monastery
One of the more off-the-beaten path things to do in Hong Kong is the Tsz Shan Monastery. This monastery has a daily visitor limit, so you must book a specific date and time in advance. The monastery is very strict in enforcing the appointment. This daily quota keeps this monastery quiet and peaceful, unlike some of the other monasteries that seem to cater to tourists. The setting for the monastery is perfect for meditation and personal reflection. The handsome temples are backdropped by mountains and surrounded by ponds and beautifully-manicured gardens. It is a ways outside of Hong Kong. If you are relying on public transport you can take the MTR most of the way but must then transfer to a bus.
Happy Valley Racecourse
Everyone is at the Happy Valley Racecourse on Wednesday nights. This popular party spot near Causeway Bay features much more than horse races. In between races, enjoy the different live music and multitude of entertaining games. The track also features an excellent food menu with a large beer selection. You can also gamble at this track; all gambling proceeds go towards local charities. Happy Valley Racecourse is open from 6PM-11PM on Wednesdays only, and can get crowded early.
