China (Hong Kong SAR), Asia

Hong Kong in April

Still pleasant before the real heat. Watch the Easter and Ching Ming holidays, when the hiking trails fill.

GoodWarm and humid, highs near 77F (25C), first heavy showers

Victoria Harbour Hong Kong, China (Hong Kong SAR) — Hong KongPhoto: Wilfredor, CC0

The straight answer

April is a good month to visit Hong Kong. Still pleasant before the real heat. Watch the Easter and Ching Ming holidays, when the hiking trails fill.

Weather: Warm and humid, highs near 77F (25C), first heavy showers
Crowds: 3 of 5
Prices: 3 of 5

What April is like in Hong Kong

April is warm and humid, with highs near 77F (25C) and the first heavy showers of the year. It is still pleasant before the real summer heat, and crowds and prices sit in the middle. Beaches start their lifeguard season. Easter and the Ching Ming holiday bring local crowds to the hiking trails, and the Sevens or the Cheung Chau Bun Festival can land this month.

It suits families, hikers and first-timers who want warm weather without summer's full steam. Beach lovers can start to swim. If you want cooler, clearer air, go in November or December, and if you are keen on hiking, avoid the holiday weekends.

Make the most of April

What is especially good about Hong Kong this month.

Beach season opens

Lifeguards return to beaches like Repulse Bay and Shek O around April, and many gazetted beaches have shark nets.

Cheung Chau Bun Festival

In some years, around Buddha's Birthday in late April, the island hosts floating parades and a midnight bun-scrambling race.

Hong Kong Sevens

When the rugby party lands in April, the Kai Tak Sports Park fills with costumed fans.

What to pack for April

A packable rain jacket
Breathable clothes for humid days
Swimwear for the beaches
A light layer for chilly air-conditioning

Our timing tip

Hike on weekdays rather than over Easter and Ching Ming, when popular trails like the Dragon's Back fill with local walkers.

Book Hong Kong for April.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Hong Kong
Opens a hotel search for Hong Kong in April, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for April
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Vacation rentals in Hong Kong
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
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Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Hong Kong
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Hong Kong for April. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in April

Hong Kong Sevens

Spring, usually March or April

The famous rugby party, now at the Kai Tak Sports Park. Book hotels early if you are going, avoid that weekend if you are not.

Cheung Chau Bun Festival

Late April or May, around Buddha's Birthday

Floating parades and the midnight bun-scrambling race on Cheung Chau island. Ferries are packed; go early.

Things to do in Hong Kong

Full guide

Victoria Peak

Go up on a clear, dry day (so October to December) and time it for late afternoon so you see the city in daylight and then lit up. The tram line gets long by late morning.

Tickets and tours →

Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour

The Tsim Sha Tsui to Central crossing takes under ten minutes and is the cheapest great view in Asia. Ride it at dusk.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Tian Tan Buddha via Ngong Ping 360

The cable car over Lantau is spectacular in clear weather and pointless in fog. Weekday mornings avoid the queues.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

M+ museum

Asia's big museum of visual culture on the West Kowloon waterfront. A perfect rainy-day or typhoon-season fallback.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Dragon's Back and the country parks

The classic ridge hike ends at Big Wave Bay beach. Best from October to March; in summer start at dawn and carry more water than you think.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Happy Valley races

Wednesday night racing under the lights with the skyscrapers towering over the track. The season runs roughly September to mid July.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Avoid the mainland Golden Week holidays (roughly May 1 to 5 and October 1 to 7): Tsim Sha Tsui, the Peak, and Disneyland are at their most crowded.
Take the Peak up on a weekday right after opening, or walk up the Old Peak Road, and skip the tram queue entirely.
Do the big hikes on weekdays. Weekend trailheads on the Dragon's Back and Lion Rock have lines for the bus and the photo spots.
Dim sum halls are calmest right when they open (often 7am to 9am) and slammed at weekend lunch. Go early and eat like a local.

Know before you go

Chinese New Year: the first two to three days close many independent restaurants, market stalls, and small shops. Malls, hotels, and major attractions mostly stay open.
Typhoon Signal 8 or higher and Black Rainstorm warnings close offices and many attractions, suspend ferries and most buses, and cancel the Ngong Ping cable car. The underground MTR usually keeps running.
Ngong Ping 360 runs periodic maintenance closures and suspends in high wind; check before you trek out to Lantau.
Happy Valley and Sha Tin racing pause in the summer off-season, roughly mid July to early September.