Hong Kong in August - how bad was the weather when u were there?

[Canada]

Concerned about all the online info I read about monsoons/ heat / humidity etc. Did it affect your trip at all i.e. stayed more indoors thand planned? Did it stop you doing any outdoor activities? looking at 24-31 august or thereabouts.
thanks.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Concerned about all the online info I read about monsoons/ heat / humidity etc. Did it affect your trip at all i.e. stayed more indoors thand planned? Did it stop you doing any outdoor activities? looking at 24-31 august or thereabouts.
thanks.

It's unpredictable. If the monsoon is bad enough they'll start shutting down the city gradually. I'm there quite often and haven't experienced one yet.

Downpours however can be torrential... as in completely soaked in 30 seconds. You just manage your day around it. But they're usually quick to start, and fairly short in duration. Then it returns to normal wet.

The weather is not a reason I would avoid Hong Kong. Plenty of covered walkways to keep you dry. Getting a taxi might be an issue though.

 

[Canada]

thanks, any tips on where to stay and what to do. adult + 15 year old daughter? Plus she wants to shop!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

thanks, any tips on where to stay and what to do. adult + 15 year old daughter? Plus she wants to shop!

well... it's completely subjective!

I always stay on HK Island. Upmarket malls, designer stores, ultra-hip shopping, stores like H&M (etc), GOD (Goods of Desire) and the good night life are on the island, while you'll find the night markets (Ladies Market etc) on TST.

Hotels... depends on your price range. Wan Chai is a good area to stay just outside of Central on the island, and the JJ Hotel and Metropark Wan Chai both have rooms in the AUD100 range. (JJ Hotel has great rooms, but glass bathrooms - although there are privacy screens. Metropark has smaller rooms, but quite excellent value!).

There's lots to see, you'll need to decide which will appeal to a 15 year old. There's the Peak (and Peak tram), the Star Ferry, shopping in Central, and perhaps a bus trip to the Stanley Markets (the bus goes along the beach around the back of the island). There's also the tram! You'd take it from Central out towards Happy Valley (passing through Causeway Bay). The tram at night is amazing.

On the Kowloon side is Disneyland (which wasn't too bad actually!), and the Nong Ping 360 (a long cable car ride to the top of a mountain).

If you're feeling game you can take a trip to Shenzhen - reached by a commuter train and you get a 5-day visa at the border (you'd better check that's still available for your passport). Inside the shopping complex in Shenzhen is floor after floor of Chinese stuff... including designer copies and DVDs).

Or you might want to go to Macao for the day (high speed ferry takes about an hour).

If you haven't already done so, you might want to subscribe to Travelzoo - Asian edition (select the one in English). It's free, and they sometimes have spa deals at some of the good hotels. but if no deals come up there, you can always get a foot massage or other treatments at some of the local places.

 

[RooFlyer]

Agree - don't let weather dictate anything except if there's a monsoon coming right at the place! It can be oppressively hot, but then again you'll probably be in a/c shopping malls a lot! Walk about in the cool of the evening - the lights are fantastic around the harbour.

I can't improve much on MEL_Traveller's suggestions, but a definite vote for Stanley Markets, The Peak tram, Star Ferry.

I stay mostly at the Mira Hotel on Nathan Rd, Kowloon, but the choice is endless. Some good street markets in Kowloon, too. Warning though - most HK hotel rooms are tiny!

There are many shopping malls, but many are 'high end' and 'designer' focussed. Might appeal to the daughter, but a strain on the wallet!!

The MRT is excellent, as is the train from the airport.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

the only thing I would add is to not stay to the west of central if you choose HK island.... Sheung Wan etc. It's just not as nice as the other side, and it's the fish side of town.

 

[JohnK]

Agree - don't let weather dictate anything except if there's a monsoon coming right at the place! It can be oppressively hot, but then again you'll probably be in a/c shopping malls a lot! Walk about in the cool of the evening - the lights are fantastic around the harbour.

Was there in November 2014 for 4 days. Rained every day. Constant rain not just a shower here and there. It was not fun to be soaked all the time. Went to the peak and could hardly see anything.

And yes I do know that August is not the same as November but rain can ruin a holiday just the same.

 

[Awesom Andy]

Was there in November 2014 for 4 days. Rained every day. Constant rain not just a shower here and there. It was not fun to be soaked all the time. Went to the peak and could hardly see anything.

And yes I do know that August is not the same as November but rain can ruin a holiday just the same.

And on average, August has 11.5x the amount of rain as it does in November, so anything can happen. Personally, not too concerned about rain, but watch out for the typhoons.

 

[coles525]

well... it's completely subjective!

I always stay on HK Island. Upmarket malls, designer stores, ultra-hip shopping, stores like H&M (etc), GOD (Goods of Desire) and the good night life are on the island, while you'll find the night markets (Ladies Market etc) on TST.

Hotels... depends on your price range. Wan Chai is a good area to stay just outside of Central on the island, and the JJ Hotel and Metropark Wan Chai both have rooms in the AUD100 range. (JJ Hotel has great rooms, but glass bathrooms - although there are privacy screens. Metropark has smaller rooms, but quite excellent value!).

There's lots to see, you'll need to decide which will appeal to a 15 year old. There's the Peak (and Peak tram), the Star Ferry, shopping in Central, and perhaps a bus trip to the Stanley Markets (the bus goes along the beach around the back of the island). There's also the tram! You'd take it from Central out towards Happy Valley (passing through Causeway Bay). The tram at night is amazing.

On the Kowloon side is Disneyland (which wasn't too bad actually!), and the Nong Ping 360 (a long cable car ride to the top of a mountain).

If you're feeling game you can take a trip to Shenzhen - reached by a commuter train and you get a 5-day visa at the border (you'd better check that's still available for your passport). Inside the shopping complex in Shenzhen is floor after floor of Chinese stuff... including designer copies and DVDs).

Or you might want to go to Macao for the day (high speed ferry takes about an hour).

If you haven't already done so, you might want to subscribe to Travelzoo - Asian edition (select the one in English). It's free, and they sometimes have spa deals at some of the good hotels. but if no deals come up there, you can always get a foot massage or other treatments at some of the local places.

Im going for a week in June, are there rules and costs (visa) for getting to Macau?

Shenzhan: How long is the train trip to get there?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Im going for a week in June, are there rules and costs (visa) for getting to Macau?

Shenzhan: How long is the train trip to get there?

Macao is visa free from limited stays for many countries (Australia included). But... check your individual circumstances.

The train to Lo Wu is about 45 minutes or so IIRC? Then you need to apply for a visa (not sure what the current procedure is for that, and some passports are not eligible - such as the UK).

Shenzhen is fun if you haven't been to mainland China before and want to get a taste of shopping for copies and cheap stuff (quality variable!!).

 

[yohy?!]

i lived in HK for 3 years until recently - August is probably one of the worst months of the year to visit given the high temperature and humidity binds with all the pollution to form a kind of respiratory soup which makes it feel as if you are at high altitude if you spend too long outside. Beware if you or your party suffers from asthma as it will mean you'll be indoors the entire time.

As others have said you can get by as the MTR and shopping malls are enclosed with A/C - malls though are built for mainland chinese so unless you like high end brands at higher prices than AU you'll have little to keep you busy here.

Frankly the best parts of HK are outdoors (Markets, The Peak, Stanley, Country Parks, Sai Kung etc) so you may want to rethink going a few months earlier or later.

 

[harvyk]

I visited in August a couple of years ago. There was a typhoon near by which basically meant it rained the entire time. It meant I got very good at getting from A to B using the underground tunnels / traversing through malls.
That said I didn't find it too warm or humid and it was certainly preferable than SIN and it's heat / humidity, and humidity usually knocks me about something shocking.

That said I still managed to visit some of the outdoor activities.

I always stay in Kowloon. IMHO Hong Kong Island (at least around Central) looks and feels no different than any other city. Kowloon has character. Last time I stayed pretty much on the corner of Austin Road / Jordan Road (right next to Kowloon park), and given it's proximity to a lot of things I would happily do so again.

 

[OATEK]

<SNIP>
I always stay in Kowloon. IMHO Hong Kong Island (at least around Central) looks and feels no different than any other city. Kowloon has character. Last time I stayed pretty much on the corner of Austin Road / Jordan Road (right next to Kowloon park), and given it's proximity to a lot of things I would happily do so again.

Love the Kowloon feel, not too different to my first visit in 1987 at ground level, whereas the Island is becoming more sterile.

One of our favourite things to do is the ferry ride to Yung Shue Wan on Lamma Island, lunch along the harbourside, and ferry back either from there or following a brisk walk across to Sok Kwu Wan (1.5-2hrs) and ferry back from the other side of the Island. So different to the concrete and glass towers now proliferating on Hong Kong Island.

P.S. Harvyk, was that last stay at the BP International?

 

[harvyk]

Love the Kowloon feel, not too different to my first visit in 1987 at ground level, whereas the Island is becoming more sterile.

One of our favourite things to do is the ferry ride to Yung Shue Wan on Lamma Island, lunch along the harbourside, and ferry back either from there or following a brisk walk across to Sok Kwu Wan (1.5-2hrs) and ferry back from the other side of the Island. So different to the concrete and glass towers now proliferating on Hong Kong Island.

P.S. Harvyk, was that last stay at the BP International?

It certainly was at the BP International.

The hotel itself was ok, but it was a great location.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

IMHO Hong Kong Island (at least around Central) looks and feels no different than any other city. Kowloon has character.

I find it completely the opposite!

I don't know of a another city in the world like HK Island... it's unique with its trams, narrow lane ways, steep hills, the escalator through central, amazing architecture with the mix of old and new!

Kowloon on the other hand is well... meh.

 

[OATEK]

It certainly was at the BP International.

The hotel itself was ok, but it was a great location.

Yes hotel average, beds hard, but Kowloon Park is an oasis. Great little museum, swimming pools etc.

 

[Sprucegoose]

It's unpredictable. If the monsoon is bad enough they'll start shutting down the city gradually. I'm there quite often and haven't experienced one yet.

Downpours however can be torrential... as in completely soaked in 30 seconds. You just manage your day around it. But they're usually quick to start, and fairly short in duration. Then it returns to normal wet.

The weather is not a reason I would avoid Hong Kong. Plenty of covered walkways to keep you dry. Getting a taxi might be an issue though.

Agree. In the five years I was there I only experienced a 10 once. (Black rain). The rest is nothing like Queensland receives.

The weather (apart from oppressive humidity) Iano reason not to visit the big noodle.

 

[kelvedon]

Will be there in early June. What's the weather like then, and any recommendations for a reasonable hotel in Kowloon?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Will be there in early June. What's the weather like then, and any recommendations for a reasonable hotel in Kowloon?

The Eaton Hotel currently has a 50% off on the best available room rate for a deluxe room for stays 3May-12July. Booking period is 3-9 March. Might be worth checking out (to see how it compares with regular rates through an OTA).

380 Nathan Road.

 

[11sjw]

July was pretty nasty regarding oppressive heat/humidity combo. I always suggest people look at the Salisbury YMCA, however this is usually accompanied by a budget comment.