10 Things to Do in Hong Kong When it Rains

Having a plan of what to do in case of a rainy day in Hong Kong can ensure you have no wasted days during your vacation. This is especially true in the summer months (July to September), when the majority of thunderstorms take place.

Fortunately, Hong Kong is a wonderful place to explore in any weather.
With such an eclectic range of things to see and do, you can still fill your days with fun and excitement. Of course, the countless shopping malls are most people’s refuge as they provide all manner of restaurants and entertainment. But there are plenty more things to do in Hong Kong when it rains. Take a look at a selection of our favorites.

Hong Kong SAR Hotels

1. Shopping malls

So much retail therapy

Good for: Couples, Families, Shoppers

Hong Kong boasts some of the best shopping malls in all of Asia, with endless options for all tastes and budgets. The Landmark on Queen’s Road Central has Michelin-starred restaurants along with flagship designer brands showcasing the latest season’s trends before anywhere else in Asia.

Elements in the Kowloon district features ice skating, live performance spaces, and a large range of restaurants to complement the incredible diversity of shopping options (over 100 stores to explore). While, iSQUARE on Nathan Road has an IMAX theater where you can catch the latest movies for a few hours.

2. Afternoon tea

A refined colonial-era tradition

Good for: Couples, Food, Luxury

Afternoon tea is a tradition from the British colonial days which never went away. For many people, sitting down in a stylish drawing room with tea, cakes, scones, and all the trimmings is an ideal way to spend a rainy afternoon in Hong Kong.

Some of the finest afternoon tea options are located in high-end hotels such as the Kowloon Shangri-La, which has 5 afternoon tea offerings based in different venues within the hotel. Alternatively, The Langham, Hong Kong, serves delicious dainty cakes, macarons, and Ronnefeldt tea in exquisite Wedgewood porcelain.

3. Galleries and boutiques at PMQ

A vibrant and trendy hub of art and culture

Good for: Couples, Shoppers

PMQ Hong Kong is home to over 100 young, local entrepreneurs who showcase their wares to an international market. It’s also a great place to hang out that attracts a varied crowd with its trendy restaurants, bars, bakeries, and coffee shops.

Fine art galleries, homeware stores, handicraft pop-ups, and fashion boutiques are in plentiful supply here, along with constantly changing exhibitions focusing on photography, fashion, or art in the large courtyard. This is the place to be if you’re looking to get some quirky souvenirs for friends or family that you won’t find anywhere else in Hong Kong. Read more

Location: 35 Aberdeen Street, Central, Hong Kong

Open: Daily from midday to 11 pm

Phone: +852 2870 2335

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4. Cooking classes

Creating classic Cantonese dishes from scratch

Good for: Couples, Families, Food

Taking up cooking lessons while you’re in Hong Kong is one of the best ways to experience the city’s love for food and create your own delicious dishes to enjoy. A popular cooking school for Cantonese cuisine is the Towngas Cooking Center in Causeway Bay, which has a range of different lessons to cater for all levels of experience.

The introductory class will start with the basics. Or, you could join a more advanced class that focuses on dim sum, vegetarian recipes, Cantonese roast duck, western cuisine, or desserts. Each class takes roughly 2.5 hours. You’ll not only avoid the rain but come away with tons of cooking knowledge to impress your friends back home.

Location: 9/F, Lee Theatre, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

Open: Monday–Friday from 9 am to 9 pm, Saturday–Sunday from 9 am to 6 pm

Phone: +852 2576 1535

5. Escape rooms

Fantastic, puzzle-solving fun

Good for: Adventure, Couples, Families, Unusual

Escape rooms are a fantastic all-weather activity that also gets the gray matter between your ears working. The premise is simple: gain your freedom from a locked room by solving a series of puzzles within a set time limit. However, in reality, it’s anything but simple. Working in a group of between 2 to 6 players, you have to piece together the clues against the clock.

Most games are designed for anyone aged 7 and over, and the rooms often have exciting themes, so it’s a great way to keep kids entertained. Hong Kong has a variety of escape rooms to choose from, such as LOST Hong Kong, Fox in a Box, and Freeing HK.

6. Dim sum banquet

A delicious way to escape the weather

Good for: Families, Food

Dim sum (traditional Chinese dumplings) is the one of Hong Kong’s most popular breakfast (or brunch) meals. When it’s raining outside, take the opportunity to find yourself a seat in one of the best dim sum restaurants in town and sample the entire menu.

Start with the more popular and well-known options such as shrimp and rice dumplings, fried taro cake (an Asian root vegetable), and steamed pork buns, then progress onto authentic local recipes such as braised chicken feet and tofu skin rolls.

7. Museum culture

Hong Kong’s history and culture through exciting exhibits

Good for: Families, History

Hong Kong’s museums have received large amounts of cash over the years to renovate and continually improve their exhibitions, which means that they really are world class. The waterside Hong Kong Maritime Museum in Central, and the Museum of History in Kowloon, are 2 of the city’s finest, which everyone should endeavor to see at least once, whether it’s raining or not.

A lovely afternoon can be spent exploring Hong Kong’s fascinating art, history, and culture. Many museums feature special visiting exhibitions, as well as range of exciting, interactive activities, designed to educate and entertain the whole family.

8. Rooftop bars

Especially ones with roofs

Good for: Couples, Nightlife, Photo

Not all rooftop bars are open to the heavens, and this is a blessing when the heavens decide to open, as you can still enjoy a relaxing drink with an incredible panoramic view even when the rain is lashing down.

Our pick would have to be Aqua, located on the 17th floor of the H Zendre building in Tsim Sha Tsui. Protected by a slanted glass partition, the views are stunning in any weather and the food and drink are among the best in Hong Kong. Read more

Location: 15 Middle Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong

Open: Monday–Thursday from midday to midnight, Friday midday to 1 am, Saturday 11 am to 1 am, Sunday 11 am to midnight

Phone: +852 3427 2288

9. Chinese acupuncture and massage

Revitalize body and mind the traditional way

Good for: Couples, Unusual

Sure, you could just go to the hotel spa and be pampered with a body scrub and oil massage, but you are in Hong Kong, so why not take the opportunity to get a traditional Chinese acupuncture and massage?

While certainly not for everyone, the practice of acupuncture dates back thousands of years and is revered by many as a way to increase vitality, boost the immune system, and cure persistent aches and pains. There are many acupuncture clinics around Hong Kong but we advise researching carefully before choosing. The Oriental Health Chinese Medicine Clinic in Central is often recommended.

Location: 2705, 27/F, Universal Trade Center, 3-5 Arbuthnot Road, Central, Hong Kong

Open: Monday–Friday from 9 am to 8 pm, Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm, closed Sunday

Phone: +852 3904 3369

10. Kung fu with a Shaolin master

Martial arts training for fun and fitness

Good for: Families, Unusual

For something more energetic, head to Lantau Island to learn basic Kung Fu with a renowned Shaolin master. The Hong Kong Shaolin Wushu Culture Center is located on Lantau Island and is open to anyone over the age of 8. Focusing on the physical and mental sides of martial arts, classes can be taken by anyone with even a reasonable level of fitness and, best of all, no prior experience is necessary.

The course is 6 hours long and it’s a very friendly and welcoming experience (no one is expecting you to be the next Bruce Lee). You can also enjoy a vegetarian meal and visit a local temple as part of the package.

Location: Shek Tsai Po, Tai O, Lantau Island, Hong Kong

Phone: +852 2985 8898

This article includes opinions of the Go Guides editorial team. Hotels.com compensates authors for their writing appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.