Hong Kong is a year-round destination; however, August can be a less popular time to visit. The weather this month is experiencing high humidity with a high temperature. August is also the peak of the typhoon season, so heavy rains and tropical cyclones are sometimes encountered in the month of August.
However, there are plenty of activities and places to visit in Hong Kong during this time. And, on the bright side, August in Hong Kong is low season, so you can avoid hefty prices (which HK is very well-known for), grab the best deals, and experience significant landmarks without a crowd.
In this article, I will discuss the top things to see and do in Hong Kong in August. As well as some important information for you to start planning your trip today! Get familiar with the weather, activities, places, and experiences unique for an August trip to Hong Kong.
If you plan to visit Hong Kong, consider this article the guide to enjoying the best time in this dazzling city.
Hong Kong Weather in August
August in Hong Kong is one of the warmest months of the year, with a minimum temperature of 80oF (26oC) and a maximum temperature of 89oF (32oC).
August is not just the hottest month in Hong Kong but also the wettest month, with occasional showers and high humidity levels, often exceeding 80% and a 58% chance of rain. In addition, August is a part of the typhoon season, so there can be occasional heavy rainfall and the possibility of typhoons.
In addition, remember that the weather of Hong Kong can be unpredictable, so it’s always a good idea to check the local weather forecast. Check closer to your travel date for the most accurate information on what to expect during your stay in Hong Kong.
Packing Checking List
With the weather conditions in mind, bringing the right clothing and gear is vital. Below is a list of essential items to bring with you for an August trip to Hong Kong:
Important Things to Know Before Visiting Hong Kong
Public Transportation
Public transportation, including buses, trams, the MTR (subway), and ferries, are the easiest and best way of getting around Hong Kong. Investing in an Octopus Card, which can be used to pay for all public transportation, is a good idea as it will make your travel around the city much more convenient.
You can purchase the card at convenience stores like 7-Eleven and Circle K or at the MTR stations. There is also a Mobile Octopus option for visitors, and the best part is that at the end of your trip you get a full refund of the remaining money on your card.
Know the Typhoon Signals
Hong Kong has a good warning system to help everyone stay safe. Storms are graded from 1 to 10. Signal 1 (or T1) being the lowest grading. Download the HKO app to follow all weather warnings, including typhoons, rain, and thunderstorms.
Language
The official language of Hong Kong is Chinese (Cantonese), however, English is widely spoken, you will even find that many signs are in English.
You Will Need a Power Adapter
In Hong Kong, the standard voltage is 220 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. And the plugs and sockets used are Type G.
Hong Kong Foodie Guide: Where to Eat and What to Try
One of the things you can enjoy at any time of the year in HK is the food scene. This city has an impressive culinary diversity with Michelin-starred restaurants, siu mei shops, and street food stalls. Hong Kong is also the perfect place to enjoy fresh seafood and Dim Sum, which is a big part of the city’s cultural heritage.
Here is a curated list of some of the best restaurants for you to try on your next visit:
One located in Central Hong Kong and the other in Wan Chai. This restaurant takes inspiration from the Mediterranean, African, and Middle-Eastern regions to produce a flavorful result that will keep you coming back.
Established by Gregoire Michaud, former pastry chef at Four Seasons. This café is the place to enjoy fine pastries and baked goods like tarts, croissants, doughnuts, sourdough, and coffee.
A Japanese restaurant with excellent cocktails on a garden terrace with sushi counters and robata grills. The dishes are inspired by Japan’s traditional izakaya dining style.
Located inside City Hall in Central, Maxim’s Palace is great for enjoying stunning waterfront views in a very local setting. Local favorites like dim sum, pork dumplings, and taro puffs are some dishes to experience while in HK.
Samsen (Wan Chai)
This popular restaurant is the concept of Chef Adam Cliff and Bella Kong. Samsen serves street Thai food in a retro setting next to the historic Blue House.
This Parisian-style steakhouse is the best place to find delicious steak frites in Hong Kong. With three locations: SoHo, Pacific Place, and Tsim Sha Tsui.
Operating in Hong Kong for over 90 years. This restaurant is best known for its Beef Brisket noodles in clear broth and Beef Curry Noodles.
Top Things to Do in Hong Kong in August
Hiking in Hong Kong
Hiking is one of the top outdoor activities to try in Hong Kong thanks to the many hiking trails, verdant hills, and the year round warm weather. However, it can get rainy in August, which can complicate things. For this reason, it’s best to check the Hong Kong weather report before starting your hiking journey.
Even with some rain during my stay, I still managed to do a couple of hikes without any issues, so don’t be discouraged!
The top three hikes to do in Hong Kong in August are:
Victoria Peak
Victoria Peak is a spectacular landmark in Hong Kong. To get here, you can take the tram, a bus, or hike. There are several trails leading up to The Peak, the must popular ones are Victoria Peak Garden Trail (difficulty: easy, duration: 30 min to 1 hr), and The Morning Trail (difficulty: moderate, duration: 1.5 to 2 hours).
Once you reach The Peak, you will have numerous things to do. You can go to the observation deck and enjoy stunning views of Hong Kong, or you can explore the shopping mall with various restaurants and shops. You can also explore the peak by walking around it, the hike here is easy and takes about one hour around the peak.
Dragon’s Back Trail
One of the most popular trails to hike in Hong Kong is the Dragon’s Back Trail, which offers stunning city and countryside views. This trail got its name after its shape, which looks like the back of a dragon. As you have already guessed from its name, the trail is challenging but worth it! You can expect to finish the hike on Dragon’s back in 2 to 3 hours.
Kowloon Peak
Kowloon Peak is a 1975 feet (ca. 602 m) tall mountain that takes an average of 3 hours to hike. This trail is also known as Fei Ngo Shan or Flying Goose Mountain, and it is the tallest mountain in Kowloon. Kowloon Peak is generally considered a difficult trail but offers a very adventurous hiking experience.
Other hikes that are worth mentioning include; Lantau Peak, Lion Rock, and Suicide Cliff.
Best Places to go Shopping in Hong Kong
One of the best things to do in Hong Kong in August is shopping. Hong Kong is a paradise for shopping with an abundance of shopping malls, markets, and something for every season and everyone. Let’s take a look at some of the best places to go shopping in Hong Kong:
IFC mall
This mall is above Hong Kong Station in Central and offers a selection of mid-range and luxury goods. The mall also has restaurants and a rooftop terrace to enjoy the views.
Kowloon Shopping Street
One of the most famous shopping streets in Hong Kong is Kowloon Shopping Street, with many high-end stores and street markets where you can spend the whole day. Kowloon’s three main shopping areas are Tsim Sha Tsui, Yau Ma Tei, and Mong Kok.
Temple Street Night Market
Located in Kowloon, this is the largest night market in Hong Kong. Temple Street Night Market is perfect for cheap clothing, shoes, household items, and delicious food.
Pacific Place
Pacific Place is a popular lifestyle hub for locals and tourists. This four-level shopping center houses over 160 shops and boutiques where you can shop till you drop. It’s a great place to purchase luxury labels, jewelry, and mass-market brands. There are also many restaurants you can stop to eat at.
Ladies Market
As you might have guessed, this market caters mainly to women and offers items like clothes and jewelry. However, there are some options for the men too, and the prices are very affordable, so don’t be surprised when you see a crowd.
Marvel at the Spectacular HK Skyline
Hong Kong is known for its stunning skyline, earning it the title of “one of the Most Beautiful Skylines in the World.” The city is full of dotted skyscrapers, viaduct bridges, and nightly shows, forming a vibrant skyline worth viewing. Admiring Hong Kong’s skyline is one of the best things to do here.
Below are some of the best places to experience Hong Kong’s skyline views:
Avenue of Stars & Victoria Harbour
Avenue of Stars is a tribute to some iconic figures who helped build the Hong Kong film industry. This site is located along Victoria Harbour’s waterfront, where you can enjoy stunning views of the waters of Tsim Sha Tsui and the Hong Kong skyline.
Hong Kong Observation Wheel
The Hong Kong Observation Wheel provides stunning views of Hong Kong Skyline, Victoria Harbour, and Kowloon Peninsula. A ride on the 60-meter-high Ferris Wheel usually takes about 15 minutes, which gives enough time to enjoy the panoramic views and get pictures.
Sky100 Hong Kong Observation Deck
For stunning views in HK, Sky100 is the perfect place to go. From Sky100, you can enjoy amazing views and see Mainland China. This Observation deck is atop the International Commerce Centre and is open to the public.
Best Rooftop Spots in Hong Kong: Where to Go for Panoramic Views
Exploring the rooftops in Hong Kong is another great way to enjoy fabulous views while sipping on refreshing drinks. Here are some of the best rooftop bars to get the best views of the Hong Kong skyline:
Eyebar, located on the 30th floor of iSquare is a short distance from Victoria Harbour. Here, you can enjoy gorgeous panoramic views of the city’s skyline while enjoying favorites like Suzie Wong cocktails. Due to its location, the venue has a “touristy” vibe.
Cardinal Point boasts a rooftop bar just above the Landmark Mall in Central. It offers gorgeous views of Hong Kong’s skyline and the Victoria Harbour, making it a perfect place to enjoy the last hour before sunset.
There is no better way to spend your night in HK than coming to Faye to sip, soar, and enjoy amazing views. This popular bar is perched on the 26th floor of the California Tower and boasts a modern interior where you can enjoy a glass of bubbly or a bespoke cocktail.
Popinjays is set atop the Murray on Cotton Tree Drive and offers terrific city skyline views. You can enjoy creative cocktails, specialty spirits, and European meals. Poppinjays also has an Aviary Collection with bird-themed cocktails.
Tai Kwun – Centre for Heritage and Arts
Located in the heart of Central, Tai Kwun is a vibrant cultural hub. It has three declared monuments in Hong Kong: the former Central Police Station, the Central Magistracy, and the Victorian prison. Tai Kwun has received a UNESCO award for Cultural Heritage Conservation, and it’s a great place to take a walk back in time and get a glimpse of the stories from the 19th century.
This exhibition centre, which is the cultural heart of Hong Kong, also boasts an interactive variety of exhibitions. Check their web page to see the current exhibitions, live performances, and workshops.
Hong Kong Disneyland
Located on Lantau Island, Hong Kong Disneyland is one of the best places to visit for a good time and an enthralling experience, specially if you are traveling with kids. You will find exciting attractions, Disney-character-based parades, and world-class culinary treats.
Experience Riding the ‘Ding Ding’
Ding Dings are the city’s iconic double-decker trams in Hong Kong serving since 1904. They are more than just a means of public transportation. Riding a ding ding is a great way to experience Hong Kong’s heritage. They also have scenic routes passing through some major landmarks. One of the best tram routes for visitors who are eager to explore the city is between Sheung Wan and Causeway Bay.
They are also one of the most affordable ways to travel in Hong Kong. If you intend to use it a lot, you can get the 2-day or 4-day Tram Pass to enjoy unlimited rides for 2 or 4 consecutive days.
Big Buddha (Tian Tan Buddha Statue)
One of Hong Kong’s most iconic landmarks is the Tian Tan Buddha Statue. There are 268 steep stairs to reach Big Buddha, but each step you take gets you closer to the largest sitting Buddha in the world. Hong Kong’s Big Buddha is massive at 112 feet (34.14 m) tall!
Take in the Views of Lantau Island in a Cable Car
Lantau Island is where Big Buddha is located, and one of the options to get here is by riding the 3.5 mile (5.63 km) cable car that suspends high above the ground. The ride on the cable car through Lantau Island offers breathtaking views of the island’s natural and scenic landscapes. The cable car journey takes about 25 minutes each way. You should consider taking the cable car during the late afternoon to experience the beautiful sunset on Lantau Island. Another great option is to go on a night ride when the Big Buddha is lit up and the village has a serene ambiance.
Star Ferry
Another fun way to enjoy the summer months in Hong Kong is by taking a boat ride on the Star Ferry. A journey to Hong Kong isn’t complete without visiting this city’s iconic symbol and cultural heritage. Star Ferry has been operating since the 19th century and connects Hong Kong Island to Kowloon, while offering views of Hong Kong’s stunning skyline. The ferry service provides budget rides across Victoria Harbour, and is one of the cheapest transportation options in Hong Kong.
If you’ve enjoyed reading this article, don’t miss out on exploring more engaging content in my blog section. Feel free to leave a comment below sharing your feedback, and letting me know what kind of content you’d like to read in the future. Your input is very valuable! Thank you for your support!
