Hong Kong in January

In January, Hong Kong averages 18°C (64°F) during the day and 14°C (57°F) at night, with around 5 days of rain (25 mm total).

High season

Conditions are comfortable for sightseeing without being sweltering. Occasional showers are likely but won't dominate.

January is a great month to visit Hong Kong: pleasant temperatures and relatively few wet days.

18°C
Avg high
14°C
Avg low
5
Rain days
25 mm
Rainfall

How January compares to the rest of the year in Hong Kong

12th
warmest month of the 12
10th
wettest month of the 12
1%
of yearly rainfall falls in January
10 h 54 min
daylight on the 15th

January is one of the coolest months in Hong Kong (12th of 12) and one of the driest months (10th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 7°C below the annual average (25°C). January runs 2°C cooler than December (20°C) and warms a further 1°C into February (19°C).

January sunrise & sunset in Hong Kong

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
7:05 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
5:59 PM
Day length
10 h 54 min

Times shown for Hong Kong local time (Asia/Hong_Kong), calculated for the 15th of January. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in Hong Kong — January

Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of January, in Hong Kong's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
6:05 AM – 6:45 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
6:45 AM – 7:45 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
5:19 PM – 6:19 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
6:19 PM – 6:59 PM

📅 When to book — Hong Kong in January

Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on January's tier (High season) and Hong Kong's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
3-4 months
Prices are above off-season but not the absolute peak. Tuesday/Wednesday departures are usually cheaper than weekend ones.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
3-5 months
Wide selection still available at this lead time. Premium properties book first; consider 'last-minute deal' availability at 2-week mark if your dates are flexible.
⚠ Christmas / New Year travel is a global premium-pricing event — many destinations 30-50% above normal. Book 4+ months ahead if your dates are Dec 20 - Jan 2.

January in Hong Kong — events that affect travel

Known cultural, religious, or national events that surge prices, fill hotels, or close businesses during this month. Plan around them, or build your itinerary around the ones you'd like to see.

🐲
Chinese New Year / Spring Festival
Travel surge · high impact

The largest annual human migration on earth — 300M+ people travel. Mainland China sees mass closures of restaurants, attractions, and shops for ~1 week; transport books out months ahead.

Plan: Travel within mainland China is genuinely hard during this window. Hong Kong/Singapore stay open but very busy. If you can shift dates, do.

Crowds & pricing — January in Hong Kong

High season

This is a busy month in Hong Kong — not the absolute peak, but tourist numbers are clearly elevated. You'll feel it at headline attractions on weekends and in the historic centre, though side streets and lesser-known sights stay manageable. Prices are above off-season but not at their summit. A good week for first-time visitors who want everything open without the worst of the crush.

Why this tier: excellent tourism weather

Sun & mosquito risk — January in Hong Kong

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
8.5
Very high
Limit sun exposure between 11 AM and 3 PM; SPF 30-50, reapply every 90 minutes outdoors.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●○○○○
Minimal
Occasional mosquitoes possible near standing water. Repellent rarely needed.

UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.

Sea temperature in Hong Kong — January

18.6°C (65°F)
cool
swimmable but bracing — wetsuit helps for long sessions

Across the year Hong Kong's sea swings from 18.6°C (January) to 29.3°C (July) — January sits at 18.6°C.

Hong Kong in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 18°C / 64°F 14°C / 57°F 25 mm 5
February 19°C / 66°F 15°C / 59°F 55 mm 9
March 21°C / 70°F 17°C / 63°F 85 mm 11
April 25°C / 77°F 20°C / 68°F 165 mm 12
May 28°C / 82°F 23°C / 73°F 295 mm 15
June 30°C / 86°F 26°C / 79°F 395 mm 19
July 31°C / 88°F 26°C / 79°F 375 mm 17
August 31°C / 88°F 26°C / 79°F 450 mm 17
September 30°C / 86°F 25°C / 77°F 325 mm 14
October 28°C / 82°F 22°C / 72°F 100 mm 7
November 24°C / 75°F 18°C / 64°F 40 mm 5
December 20°C / 68°F 15°C / 59°F 25 mm 4

Other cities with similar January weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Hong Kong in January →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Hong Kong in January?

In January, Hong Kong averages a high of 18°C (64°F) and a low of 14°C (57°F) — generally mild and pleasant.

Does it rain a lot in Hong Kong in January?

January sees occasional rain in Hong Kong, with about 5 rainy days on average.

Is January a good time to visit Hong Kong?

January is mild and pleasant and mostly dry. It suits travelers who are comfortable with mild and pleasant weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for Hong Kong in January?

Pack light layers for warm days and cooler evenings. See the full January packing list for Hong Kong for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Hong Kong on the interactive map

Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.