My first time visiting Hong Kong, I really wasn’t sure what to expect. Given it’s such a big city, I didn’t know if I’d fall in love with the place and worried it wouldn’t have enough soul for my liking. Turns out, Hong Kong is all heart! This place is a buzzing mix of cultures, from the super modern to the very traditional. All of this makes for a bright, bustling city bursting at the seams with history, shopping and incredible food.

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What is the weather like and when should I visit?

Ahhhhh yeah, it’s hot. Hot damn! Call the po-lice and the fireman! Not really, it’s a safe hot, so, no authorities necessary. That said, it’s pretty much hot and humid all year round, so there’s no chance you’ll avoid the warmer weather altogether. That said, here’s some insight on what the weather is like to help you decide the best time for you to visit:

November to April: No shortage of sunny days, but you’ll find the weather slightly cooler with less rain and humidity. Expect temperatures between 20 – 25 degrees Celsius, for the most part, while things can get pretty chilly during January and February.

April to June: Expect things to be pretty wet and very hot and humid at this time of year. Temperatures rise and things can get pretty crazy with the amount of pollution in the air too.

July to September: You’ll find this time of year to be around the typhoon season with very high temperatures hanging around. With lots of rain, heat and humidity, this time of year may not be the best time to visit.

October: Good old October! This time of year sees some rain, with the tail end of typhoon season, but you’ll find the weather to be slightly less crazy with heat and humidity.

What to pack for a trip to Hong Kong

What should I pack?

Clothes

When it comes to packing clothes, especially if you’re visiting during hot times of the year, you absolutely must pack clothes that are lightweight and breathable. I made the mistake of wearing non-breathable fabrics and heavy skirts a few times and really regretted it.

Look to pack singlet or vest tops, loose-fitting t-shirts, shorts and skirts that are all cotton and breathable. You may feel comfortable wearing some types of activewear that are sweat-wicking, especially if you plan on doing any hiking while you’re there. I’d also recommend packing loose-fitting cotton summer dresses that allow the breeze to cool you down.

If you’re visiting during hot times of the year, you won’t need jeans or warm tops of any kind. It’s way too hot for that kind of thing!

Hats

I really recommend packing a few different hats. We spent a lot of time walking between places and the extra protection from the suns hot rays were much appreciated.

Shoes

You will definitely need comfortable footwear, so pack a few pairs of shoes that you can happily spend all day in. I recommend packing at least two comfy pairs to switch between because even the most comfortable pairs of sneakers start to hurt a bit if you wear them for three or four days in a row. I also packed sandals and flats with me as I found the winding streets were not a suitable place for high heels.

What to pack for a trip to Hong Kong

Medicine

Bring a small bag packed full of essential medicines with you, bring things like cold and flu tablets, hay fever/allergy medicine, ibuprofen, paracetamol, tums and Imodium. People who suffer from hay fever, asthma or other allergies may find the pollution causes them to play up, so keep that in mind. You should also definitely pack your prescription medicines and anything special you may require, like a Ventolin inhaler for asthmatics. Find medicine bags here.

Tissues

Pocket packs of tissues tucked into a bag will come in very helpful at public toilets. Whilst there is no shortage of toilet paper, there are some public toilets which run out of the good stuff due to the high volume of people using them. Don’t be a victim, be proactive. If you’re a germ-a-phobe, I recommend packing a bottle of hand sanitiser which can be used, with a tissue, to sanitise a toilet seat.

Snacks

If, like me, you’re the kind of person who loves to snack, bring some muesli bars or similar with you. There are loads of shops selling beautiful fresh fruit though, which helps you stay healthy while you travel and make it easy to grab a quick snack while you’re out, but it’s nice having a go-to ready in your bag.

SunSmart gear

You’ll definitely need sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen with high SPF to protect you from the sun’s harsh rays. Remember, sunscreen is only as good as its user and it’s up to you to reapply during the day to ensure you don’t get burned. Remember, cloudy days mean U.V rays! Find Sunscreen here.

What to pack for a trip to Hong Kong

Bug spray

Buy a bottle of good quality insect repellant and use it regularly to help prevent mosquito-borne viruses. It’s also really important you visit your doctor before your trip and let them know where you’re going so you can get any medication or immunisations you may need to protect you.

Money

Major cities have plenty of ATMs and specific ATMs will accept foreign cards, but just remember you get charged a fee every time you withdraw, so it’s better to plan your budget ahead and take out what you need in fewer transactions. You’ll also need to notify your bank you’re going to Hong Kong or they’ll think you’re a fraudster and freeze your accounts. No dumplings for you.

Hand sanitiser

Uh oh, I hate to be that tourist, but hand sanitizer is essential no matter where you are, even if you’re in your hometown. You never know when you’ll unexpectedly touch something sticky, hairy, wriggly or gross, so be prepared and have some hand sanitiser with you. I found myself really wanting to use it after I’d been on public transport, just because of the huge volume of people using the system.

Your essentials

Pack your beloved brand-name essentials like cosmetics, electric toothbrush heads and feminine hygiene products. Also, pack your environmentally friendly products and products for sensitive skin, as it may be difficult to get your hands on these while you travel. Don’t waste money on travel minis, use refillable 100ml bottles instead! I often fill up those black pots from Lush with my products as they’re re-usable and under the 100ml limit.

What to pack for a trip to Hong Kong

Packing hacks and tips

A few tips and tricks to help you hack your packing!

Eco-friendly bags

Stash some eco-friendly bags and reusable sandwich bags in your luggage, they come in so very handy for storing dirty shoes and clothes as well as bars of soap, wet swimwear or leaky toothpaste tubes! Find Eco-Friendly Reusable Bags here.

Tupperware

I use Tupperware or similar hard plastic containers to put all my toiletries in. This ensures no leaks will destroy my clean clothes and makes it really easy for me to grab my toiletries in one easy swoop, keep them together in the hotel and makes re-packing easier too. I also use a small container for all my jewellery and another one for electronics like adaptors, cords and chargers. It keeps me organised and stops me from losing things! Find Storage Containers here.

What to pack for a trip to Hong Kong

Dryer sheets

Put dryer sheets in your suitcase to keep your clothes smelling good throughout the whole trip. If you don’t have dryer sheets, a few drops of essential oil on a tissue, laid flat in-between layers of clothes, works wonders. I also have a little bottle of spray which instantly freshens up clothes, it’s from The Laundress and it’s amazing! No musty smelling clothes for you, my friend. Find Dryer Sheets here.

Powerboard

As freelancers, we travel with a lot of electronics so we can work on the road. This can mean a laptop, two cameras, two phones, and a GoPro! If this sounds like you too, then you’re going to need more than one power outlet. Buy one power-point converter and take a power-board with multiple plug-ins on it. It makes life so much easier! Find Power Boards here and Find Power Converters here.

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Best travel resources for your trip!

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