Hong Kong in the rain

[alieninperth]

I am travelling trough HKG this Friday and I have seen on the weather forecast that it is going to be cool and wet (about 14 degrees with rain and showers). As I have a long layover (approx. 9 hrs) I was going to head into town to have a look around. With the weather being inclement, I'm not so sure that this is a good idea any more.

I thought about doing the big budda and perhaps Victoria Peak but with the rain, I don't think the views will be up to much.

Should I just stay in the airport and do a lounge crawl, with at least 1 hr in each lounge, or should I brave the weather and head into the city?

 

[docjames]

I am travelling trough HKG this Friday and I have seen on the weather forecast that it is going to be cool and wet (about 14 degrees with rain and showers). As I have a long layover (approx. 9 hrs) I was going to head into town to have a look around. With the weather being inclement, I'm not so sure that this is a good idea any more.

I thought about doing the big budda and perhaps Victoria Peak but with the rain, I don't think the views will be up to much.

Should I just stay in the airport and do a lounge crawl, with at least 1 hr in each lounge, or should I brave the weather and head into the city?

Definitely go to city, and you can get around pretty well despite the rain. Subway / shopping centres and the covered walkways take you everywhere. Take a lightweight jacket and all will be well.

I agree the peak may be a waste of time. I'd avoid 9hrs at the airport! In a city like HK, no airport is good enough to do 9hrs (even f the HKG lounges are pretty good!).

Spare clothes in a day pack and you have something to change into in the airport even if you get wet / hot / sweaty / dirty etc.

 

[Buzzard]

Good advice given by docjames.

I too never let the rain dampen my spirit. Go exploring, leave the Peak for another fine day.

 

[Boca68]

Absolutely, go exploring.

HK is one of the best cities to explore in all weather. As docjames says, it's quite possible that you need not even venture into the rain.

Also 9 hours at an airport, is just a little too much. Although, in my younger days, I think I managed about 20 odd hours, without a lounge in sight!

 

[teamhamsandwich]

You can pretty much walk from wan chai to central and the mid levels on the island undercover. Plus there is the subway as well.

Go get a double happiness burger at butchers club in wan chai. That will warm/fill you up!

 

[alieninperth]

Thanks everyone.

I knew that you would be able to persuade me one way or the other.

The City with a waterproof jacket it is.

 

[alieninperth]

On a separate but related note, how many HKD$ should I bring. I know the airport express is HKD100 for a day return, but I have no idea how much food would be. Any pointers?

 

[Sdtravel]

Depends on what type of food you want to try.
It can range from small carts where it may be like $10-$15HK for rice and chicken to something like fairwood or cafe de coral for some ok mass produced meals (better than McD;s) for maybe $70HK.

 

[alieninperth]

Awesome,

This is why this forum is great. Looking forward to HKG now.

 

[yohy?!]

give the big buddha a miss (very windy and exposed to bad weather),

the weather can be quite inclement at present in HK so I would be staying indoors where possible - there is an largish outlet mall at tung chung adjacent to the airport with shopping and restuarants/food court

you could also take the airport express to kowloon station for more upmarket shopping at elements mall and then take a cab to tsim sha tsui and walk around harbour city shopping centre - both have great harbour views and eating and shopping options.

the ritz carlton above kowloon station has a good spa menu with awesome views of the harbour from the spa lounge (might be expensive these days, they used to have specials at quiet times though)

 

[alieninperth]

I'm in the airport waiting for the flight. Thanks for all your advice. I think I'll head to Kowloon have a wander then jump on the ferry across the bay a bite or two to eat and then off to the airport.

 

[Awesom Andy]

jump on the ferry

That might not be fun on a windy day...

 

[Moindardt]

Just left the pier. If you did have 9hrs to waste and didn't want to leave, that's a very nice place to slum it. The massages are amazing and you don't have to convince the missus there was no happy ending.

 

[dajop]

Only warning I have about HKG in the rains applies if you are around 6' tall .... Be careful you don't get your eyes poked out by umbrellas. Most people are shorter and the height is about eye height if you are taller. Drove me crazy, so we ended up taking a ferry across to Macau and spent the afternoon visiting (but not spending money in) Casinos and eating Portuguese egg tarts

 

[Awesom Andy]

And just to add, it's rarely so cold in HKG, so you'll see locals dressed like penguins this weekend.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

And just to add, it's rarely so cold in HKG, so you'll see locals dressed like penguins this weekend.

What do you mean rarely cold? Anything under 25C *is* cold

 

[SeatBackForward]

When I was living in Hong Kong, I remember it got so cold once, that I had to turn off the air-con.

 

[Awesom Andy]

Forecast of min 6'C and max 8'C on Sunday, with force 6 winds from the north so plenty of wind chill in that too. Definitely won't be using air-con there. Sunday night is forecast to be 5'C.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Forecast of min 6'C and max 8'C on Sunday, with force 6 winds from the north so plenty of wind chill in that too. Definitely won't be using air-con there. Sunday night is forecast to be 5'C.

That is unusually cold for HK. Puffy jackets galore!

The whole northern hemisphere seems to be having a cold snap.

 

[JohnK]

Hong Kong in the rain is awful.

Was there Friday - Sunday and rain didn't stop. Got soaked going to Kowloon. Got soaked going to Victoria Peak. Walking through the narrow streets even with umbrella the biggest danger is getting eyes poked out. The locals think it's your responsibility to avoid the umbrella spokes they are just holding above their head.