Last updated on June 5th, 2026 at 11:17 pm
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On a rainy day (and there are a lot of those in Hong Kong in the summertime), you want to escape and mostly stay indoors, at least until the weather gets better, and you’re not soaked from head to toe.
In this blog post, I’ll go over all the ways you can still enjoy Hong Kong on a rainy day.
Let’s get started.
What to Do in Hong Kong On a Rainy Day: Activity List
Go for Afternoon Tea
Going for afternoon tea is very British-coded, but it shouldn’t be surprising, as Hong Kong was a former British colony.
Afternoon tea can be fancy, and it sounds that way.
When I think of ‘afternoon tea’, I often imagine a setting with luxurious décor, drinking tea and enjoying sweet and savoury treats.
There’s the expensive version, which includes afternoon tea at 5-star hotels like The Mandarin Oriental and The Peninsula, the most iconic afternoon tea spots.
On the other hand, there’s afternoon tea at cha chaan tengs, where tourists can experience local culture and enjoy comfort foods at an affordable price. Some of these signature dishes include:
- Hong Kong Milk Tea
- Pineapple Bun with Butter
- French Toast
These are essential to Hong Kong culture, so a cha chaan teng is never far away. No matter which neighbourhood you are in, you’ll always find a few of these Hong Kong cafes around.
Visit Museums
Hong Kong has many museums, most of which are in Tsim Sha Tsui. Here are some notable ones:
- Hong Kong Science Museum – The museum features many hands-on exhibits. It’s a fun way to gain science knowledge while still being an interactive learning experience.
- M+ Museum –Located in the West Kowloon district, the M+ Museum focuses on contemporary visual culture. It’s one of the newest museums in the city and is also near the harbour front, making it a pet-friendly public space.
- Hong Kong Palace Museum is near M+, and there is a complimentary shuttle bus between the two. The Hong Kong Palace Museum is recommended for those interested in Chinese history and ancient royal life (I think I’ve watched too many Chinese dramas in my lifetime, which is why palace life in China intrigues me, haha).
There are many other engaging museums, but visiting these three alone can take up the entire day. You can spend at least 2-3 hours getting lost in each of these indoor attractions.
Pamper Yourself at the Spa
What has your trip to Hong Kong been like? Did you visit any other Asian destinations before Hong Kong?
Did you fly 10+ hours to visit the city?
Travelling is extremely fun, but it’s also tiring. Depending on the type of traveller and who you are travelling with, the entire travel period can be intense.
Carve out some downtime to be at the spa. Pamper yourself with facials, massages, and other add-on services. The best spas in Hong Kong are pricier because they are located in five-star hotels like The Ritz-Carlton.
Arrive an hour or two earlier than your appointment, and many spas allow clients to enjoy amenities like the sauna and pool. They might even serve drinks and snacks.
If you don’t mind travelling for some spa time, visit Shenzhen. Many locals go to Shenzhen for massages. It’s cheaper, and the facilities are bigger. You can also discover another city during your trip, and it will feel different than Hong Kong.
Shop Till You Drop
Hong Kong will never be short of shopping options. On a rainy day, hit up a shopping mall.
- Harbour City – The city’s largest shopping mall, where you’ll find a mix of high-end brands and affordable brands.
- K11 Musea – The prettiest mall in Hong Kong, hands down. K11 Musea is also right by Victoria Harbourfront. As Victoria Harbourfront is one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions, K11 Musea also gets busy. The mall interior is very pretty, and it will be tempting to take many pictures. Also, their food court is one of the best in Hong Kong. Whenever I’m in the area, I always make sure to stop by to get an almond croissant and garlic bread at Red Bridge Bakery.
- Citygate Outlet – Citygate Outlet is a Hong Kong outlet mall you’ll pass by if you’re planning a day trip. When you go on day trips like Big Buddha and Tai O Fishing Village, you’ll have to go through Tung Chung, and Citygate Outlet is right in the middle of the district. Get significant discounts on brand-name stores like Coach, Kate Spade, and Ralph Lauren here.
Chill at Coffee Shops
As I was writing this blog post, I was originally going to call it ‘cafés,’ but I thought it would be confusing with cha chaan tengs, since it’s also a type of café.
Cha Chaan tengs are more of a Hong Kong thing, while coffee shops are available worldwide.
This city has a strong Western influence and a large expat community. The coffee culture might not be as big as in some other Asian countries like Vietnam or South Korea, but there are more than enough coffee shop options, especially in Central.
Grab a cup of coffee (or a beverage) and an afternoon snack, like a flaky pastry, and people-watch during rainy days.
Go Ice-Skating
Work on your balance by cooling off at one of Hong Kong’s several ice skating rinks. Hong Kong is hot most of the year, so ice-skating is a refreshing break from the heat and humidity. Also, going on a trip often means overeating. Ice skating will not only let you burn off calories; it’s also a fun activity for a wide age range.
Ice skating in Hong Kong is available at accessible locations such as Sham Shui Po and Tsim Sha Tsui, so combine skating with other activities like shopping and dining, all under one roof.
Watch a Hong Kong Movie
The Hong Kong entertainment industry bloomed in the 1980s and 1990s. Although Hong Kong movies are no longer in their golden era, people are still drawn to them because of their reputation.
Many people associate Hong Kong movies with police and crime (it’s because they’re good at this genre). If this is your type of genre, check out what’s currently airing in theatres.
Watching a foreign film in another language can be challenging, but our cinemas offer movies with English subtitles. Compare and contrast Hong Kong movies with movies from your home country. You can even pick up a few Cantonese phrases through this experience.
See a Live Performance
While you’re in town, see if your trip coincides with a time when performances are being held. This can range from K-pop groups to local instrumental concerts to Cantonese opera.
These events don’t have a consistent schedule, so please do some research and plan to get tickets. Live performances by K-pop groups and Hollywood singers sell out exceptionally fast, and tickets are expensive.
Sing Karaoke
In Hong Kong, people go to karaoke more for socializing than to show off their singing skills.
Do you know any Chinese songs you can sing along to?
Show off your singing skills and sing your heart out!
As a multicultural city, Hong Kong has many karaoke rooms that feature English songs. I can’t guarantee that every karaoke location has the trendiest, most up-to-date English songs. Still, you’ll probably find classic songs from artists like Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, and the Spice Girls.
Go Bar Hopping
The best-known bar area in Hong Kong is in Central, at Lan Kwai Fong. At Lan Kwai Fong, there are many bars lined up across the street. Feel the local bar scene by enjoying a pint of beer or trying an alcoholic beverage you’ve never had before.
Take this time to connect with your travel companions and reflect on your trip to Hong Kong so far. Or meet new people and strike up casual conversations. Many expats live in Central, so you’ll definitely be able to meet English speakers.
Take Pictures on a Rainy Day
This is an activity where you brace the rain and go around the city with your camera.
Photographers will want to whip out their cameras, as a rainy day in Hong Kong offers a different perspective on the city.
It’s the time to capture moody photos and use your surroundings, like puddles, to get creative.
One thing is for sure – photos taken on a sunny day will give a completely different vibe than those taken on a rainy day.
Final Thoughts – What to Do in Hong Kong on a Rainy Day
For those visiting Hong Kong in the summer, the chance of rain is high. The summer season here is especially humid and rainy.
While packing your bags, don’t forget to bring an umbrella. Even though these activities are mainly indoors, you might need to dash outside to get from one location to another.
Even if the weather isn’t ideal during your trip to Hong Kong, you won’t ever have to worry about being bored because there are countless activities to do while staying dry!
Now to You – What to Do in Hong Kong on a Rainy Day
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Xoxo,
Nicole
