What to pack for Hong Kong in December: hills and harbor

In December, Hong Kong runs from about 16 to 20 °C (61 to 69 °F), and it’s one of the driest months of the year. Pack layers rather than winter clothes: T-shirts and a long-sleeved top, a sweater or fleece, a light windproof jacket for the harbor and the Peak at night, and comfortable shoes for hills and steps.

The story

You land in December, and the air outside the terminal is mild and dry, nothing like the steam bath of summer. At the airport you buy an Octopus card, the rechargeable card the whole city runs on: the MTR, the buses, the trams, the ferries and the convenience stores.

The first evening you take the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour. It’s 17 °C, and on the open deck the wind off the water goes straight through your T-shirt. You pull on the light jacket from your bag and watch the skyline light up on both shores. The crossing takes ten minutes and costs a few dollars on your Octopus.

The next morning starts with dim sum, in a hall full of families, steam baskets and tea. Then you climb. Hong Kong is built on hills: the streets of Central turn into staircases, and the outdoor escalators only go one way at a time. By noon you’ve walked up more steps than you can count, in shoes with good soles, and the sun is warm on your back.

In the afternoon you ride the Peak Tram up to Victoria Peak. At the top it’s cooler and windier than in the streets below, and you stay until the city lights come on, with your sweater on and the jacket zipped. Back down, the mall you step into is cold enough to keep both on: Hong Kong runs its air conditioning strongly all year.

On the third day you hike the Dragon’s Back, a ridge trail on the island’s south-east side, above the sea. The sun is strong even in December, and there’s little shade. You’re glad of the cap, the sunscreen and the water bottle, and you finish at the beach at Big Wave Bay, in a T-shirt.

Hong Kong in December is cool and dry, with warm sun by day and wind on the harbor and the Peak at night. Pack light layers, a windproof jacket, shoes for steps and trails, and something for the cold air conditioning indoors.

What to pack for Hong Kong in December

Pack for warm afternoons, cool evenings and long days on foot, up and down.

Clothes

T-shirts and one or two long-sleeved tops: afternoons in the sun can feel warm.
A sweater or light fleece for the evenings, and for the air conditioning in malls, the MTR and restaurants.
A light windproof jacket for the Star Ferry, the Peak and the waterfront at night.
Long pants or jeans, and one pair of shorts or light pants for a hike on a sunny day.
Something a little smarter for a rooftop bar or a nice dinner.

Shoes

Comfortable walking shoes with good grip: the city is full of hills, steps and slopes.
Trail shoes or sturdy sneakers if you plan a hike like the Dragon’s Back.

For the day

A small backpack for the layers you take off, and a water bottle.
A cap and sunscreen: the December sun is strong on the trails and the water.
A compact umbrella: rain is rare in December, but not unknown.
Lip balm and moisturizer: the air is drier than the rest of the year.

Documents, money and tech

Passport, with your onward or return ticket.
An Octopus card, bought at the airport or an MTR station, or a contactless bank card for the MTR.
A plug adapter if you don’t use British plugs at home: sockets are type G, at 220 V.
An eSIM for Hong Kong, for maps and the MTR app as you go.
A power bank: you’ll use your phone for maps and photos all day.

Good to know

Weather: December runs from about 16 to 20 °C (61 to 69 °F), with about 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain over around five days, by the Hong Kong Observatory’s 1991–2020 averages for its headquarters in Tsim Sha Tsui. It’s the driest month of the year, and the sun sets before 6 pm. The Peak and the open harbor are windier and feel cooler than the streets.
Getting around: the Octopus card works on the MTR, buses, trams, the Star Ferry and in convenience stores. On the MTR, contactless Visa and Mastercard cards (and UnionPay credit cards) also work at the light blue gates, but not on the Airport Express.
Hills and steps: many streets are staircases, and the Central–Mid-Levels escalators run downhill in the morning and uphill the rest of the day.
Plugs: type G, the British three-pin plug, at 220 V.
Money: Hong Kong dollar (HKD). Cards are widely accepted; carry some cash for markets and small restaurants. Many restaurants add a 10% service charge to the bill.
Entry: Hong Kong has its own entry rules, separate from mainland China. Many passports can visit without a visa, for periods from 14 to 180 days; check the Immigration Department’s list for yours, and carry your onward or return ticket (checked October 6, 2026).
A day trip to Macau: it’s an hour or so by ferry, but it’s a separate border, with its own entry rules, its own currency (the pataca) and its own plugs. Check all three before you go, and take your passport.
Another trip in Asia: what to pack for Vietnam, north to south.

Questions

Is it cold in Hong Kong in December?

Not by most standards: it runs from about 16 to 20 °C (61 to 69 °F). It feels cooler at night on the Star Ferry, on the waterfront and on Victoria Peak, where it’s windier, and indoors, where the air conditioning is strong.

What should I wear in Hong Kong in December?

Layers: T-shirts and a long-sleeved top for the day, a sweater or light fleece for the evening, and a light windproof jacket for the harbor and the Peak. Wear comfortable shoes with good grip, because the city is full of hills and steps.

Does it rain in Hong Kong in December?

Rarely: December is the driest month, with about 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain over around five days. A compact umbrella is enough.

Do I need a visa for Hong Kong?

It depends on your passport: many nationalities can visit without a visa, for periods from 14 to 180 days. Hong Kong’s rules are separate from mainland China’s; check the Immigration Department’s list for yours, and carry your onward or return ticket.

What plug does Hong Kong use?

Type G, the British three-pin plug, at 220 V. Bring an adapter if you don’t use British plugs at home, and check the plugs again if you go on to Macau.