Hong Kong’s rainy season can be annoying, especially if the typhoon lands on a weekend, meaning no day off from work. Not to mention that old ladies are considered armed and dangerous when in possession of an umbrella, and frog and snake mating season is deafening and disgusting, respectively. But! Even for pessimists like me, there are plenty of ways to make the most of the rainy season.
Enjoy the air-con. Or go outside! Going for a run, hike, bike ride or some tennis suddenly becomes a lot easier (and slightly more dangerous) when it’s raining, but trying to do some more traditional sightseeing is a total pain with everyone walking even slower than they usually do while fighting for umbrella space. Stay away from Causeway Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui and Mongkok! Going to museums is a good, air-conditioned alternative (more on those in another post), as is enjoying the ferries, visiting art galleries or pop-up art shows, or going to The Wanch and catching a show. In fact, if you want to see Wan Chai without seeing too many stereo-typically gross old expats, go when it’s raining.
Junk Trips. It doesn’t rain every day, but it‘s always oppressively hot. On sunny days, rent a junk boat and spend the day pretending to be posh! Junks vary in price, depending on if you want Chinese or Western or any food at all, and what day you go. It’s usually best to go with a large group (usually 30-40 is the maximum number of people) to split the price. Junks leave from the Central or Sai Kung ferry piers. The Central junks usually go to Lamma Island and park for a few hours, and Sai Kung ones follow a route going to several beaches until they find one that isn’t too crowded. The water is okay, but if you have really sensitive skin, it’s possible you might get a rash.
Drink! Hong Kong loves fads, and some of the newest are gin bars (wine bars are so last year) and even a craft brewery, most of which are located in Central. If Central is too mainstream for you, hang out with the French and the hipsters in up-and-coming Sheung Wan or Sai Ying Pun, which are next to Central. New places are always popping up, so if you have money to spare, spend an afternoon boozing it up with the occasional intermission of shisha along Hollywood Road, Elgin Street, Staunton Street and all the surrounding streets. I also like to pretend to be fancy and go to more upscale places when it’s raining, like the many bars and cafes on Star Street or The Pawn, which I can afford about once a year. (Although, if it clears up, stock up at 7-11 and go to The Pawn’s rooftop, which is a nicely set-up area where you can loiter and drink for as long as you want!)
This is how you can keep yourself entertained. For other ideas, you can always pick up a board game, cards, write, hit up a bookstore, or nap and then stay up late watching movies.
What do you like to do when it pours?
