Hong Kong in April

April weather, activities, events & insider tips

April Weather in Hong Kong

25°C (78°F) High Temp

21°C (69°F) Low Temp

145 mm (5.7 inches) Rainfall

85% Humidity

Is April Right for You?

Advantages

Pre-typhoon season clarity - Victoria Harbour views are crisp before summer haze sets in, perfect for Peak Tram and Sky100 visits
Bauhinia flowers bloom citywide - Hong Kong's emblem flower creates impressive purple canopies in Victoria Park and along Nathan Road
Optimal hiking weather - mornings are cool enough for Dragon's Back and Lion Rock before afternoon heat, with clear visibility extending to mainland China
Festival season begins - genuine Tin Hau Festival celebrations at temples across fishing villages like Aberdeen and Sai Kung, not tourist performances

Considerations

Humidity shock for visitors - 85% humidity makes 25°C (78°F) feel like 30°C+ (86°F+), causing fatigue and requiring frequent air-con breaks
Afternoon thunderstorm disruption - daily 2-3pm storms last 45-60 minutes, forcing indoor retreats during prime sightseeing hours
School holiday crowds - Easter holidays bring local families to major attractions, creating queues at Ocean Park and Ngong Ping 360

Best Activities in April

Victoria Peak Morning Hikes

April mornings (6-9am) offer the year's clearest harbor views before humidity builds. Temperature stays comfortable at 21-23°C (70-73°F) with minimal crowds. The famous 'layer cake' smog hasn't formed yet, giving unobstructed views to mainland mountains 50 km (31 miles) away.

Booking Tip: Take first Peak Tram at 7am or hike Old Peak Road to avoid tour groups. Sky Terrace costs HK$65 but free viewing areas offer same panoramas. Book tram tickets online to skip 90-minute weekend queues.

Outlying Islands Ferry Hopping

April's moderate temperatures and pre-typhoon calm seas make island exploration ideal. Lamma Island's seafood restaurants have outdoor seating comfortable until 2pm. Cheung Chau's beaches are swimmable at 22°C (72°F) water temperature, while Tai O stilt houses on Lantau avoid summer's oppressive heat.

Booking Tip: Use Octopus card for ferry discounts (HK$15-30 vs HK$20-45 for tickets). Morning departures avoid afternoon storm cancellations. Weekend ferries run every 30 minutes vs hourly on weekdays.

Temple Street Night Market Exploration

April evenings bring perfect street food weather - warm enough for outdoor dining without summer's stifling heat. Fortune tellers and street opera performers emerge when temperatures drop to 23°C (73°F) after 8pm. Humidity is manageable for walking the 1 km (0.6 mile) market length.

Booking Tip: Arrive after 8pm when stalls fully open and temperatures drop. Budget HK$50-150 for street food sampling. Avoid weekends when locals crowd popular stalls. Mobile payment widely accepted at newer stalls.

Hong Kong Trail Section Hiking

Dragon's Back section offers April's best hiking conditions - morning temperatures of 20-22°C (68-72°F) with clear visibility extending 30 km (19 miles) to Shenzhen skyline. The 8.5 km (5.3 mile) trail takes 3-4 hours before afternoon storms hit. Wildflowers bloom along ridgelines.

Booking Tip: Start by 8am to finish before 2pm storms. Take MTR to Shau Kei Wan, then bus 9 to trailhead. Bring 2-3 liters of water - convenience stores end at trail start. Download offline maps as cell service is spotty on ridges.

Dim Sum Tea House Crawling

April's humidity makes hot tea appreciation perfect - locals drink more tea to balance moisture levels. Traditional tea houses in Sheung Wan and Central have optimal morning temperatures for steamed dishes. Weekend yum cha crowds peak 10am-noon when families gather before afternoon heat.

Booking Tip: Book traditional tea houses 2-3 days ahead for weekend breakfast slots. Expect HK$200-400 per person at heritage venues like Maxim's Palace. Arrive hungry - portions are generous and sharing is expected cultural practice.

Star Ferry Harbor Crossings

April's clear pre-monsoon air offers optimal photography conditions for the harbor crossing. Evening sailings at 7-8pm catch golden hour lighting on both Hong Kong Island and Kowloon skylines. Gentle breezes make the 10-minute crossing comfortable despite rising humidity.

Booking Tip: Upper deck costs HK$3.40 vs HK$2.80 lower deck - worth it for photography. Evening Symphony of Lights viewing from ferry requires precise 8pm timing. Buy return tickets to avoid queuing twice during peak viewing times.

April Events & Festivals

Mid to Late April

Tin Hau Festival

Genuine fishing community celebrations honoring the sea goddess at temples in Aberdeen, Sai Kung, and Lei Yue Mun. Decorated junks parade through harbors while temple ceremonies include traditional lion dances and incense offerings. This is authentic local culture, not tourist entertainment.

Throughout April

Bauhinia Blooming Season

Hong Kong's emblem flower creates purple canopies throughout the city. Victoria Park, Kowloon Park, and Nathan Road median strips showcase peak blooms. Locals gather for photography sessions and morning tai chi under flowering trees.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Moisture-wicking synthetic shirts - cotton stays damp in 85% humidity and becomes uncomfortable within 30 minutes outdoors

Compact umbrella with UV protection - afternoon storms hit suddenly and UV index reaches 9 on clear mornings

Breathable walking shoes with good grip - marble temple floors and wet MTR station floors become slippery during rain

Light rain jacket that packs small - afternoon thunderstorms dump 20-30 mm (0.8-1.2 inches) in 45 minutes

SPF 50+ broad-spectrum sunscreen - April sun is deceptively strong with minimal cloud cover in mornings

Portable phone charger - high humidity drains batteries 20-30% faster than normal

Cooling towel or small hand fan - essential for MTR platform waits during rush hours when temperatures spike

Quick-dry shorts or pants - humidity makes regular fabrics feel perpetually damp

Sandals or flip-flops for evening markets - feet swell in humidity and closed shoes become uncomfortable

Small backpack with waterproof compartment - sudden storms require protection for electronics and documents

Insider Knowledge

Book harbor-view restaurant tables for 6-7pm - clearest air quality for photography happens just before sunset when sea breezes strengthen

Use morning hours for outdoor attractions - locals do all hiking, market shopping, and outdoor photography before 11am to beat humidity buildup

April is 'spring cleaning' season - many local shops and restaurants close for 2-3 days for deep cleaning, so call ahead for smaller venues

Take advantage of mall air-conditioning culture - locals use shopping centers like IFC and Harbour City as cooling stations during afternoon storms

Avoid These Mistakes

Underestimating humidity impact - visitors pack for 25°C (78°F) but don't account for 85% humidity making it feel like 30°C+ (86°F+)

Planning outdoor activities after noon - locals know afternoon storms and heat make 2-6pm optimal for indoor activities like museums and shopping

Overpacking winter clothes - April is solidly warm weather, but tourists bring jackets expecting cool spring temperatures from home countries