Hong Kong in May

May is the official start of summer in Hong Kong, and you'll see a huge temperature spike compared to the month before. As such, highs often hit around 95 °F, with lows settling at around 64 °F. You'll also see more sun than in April, with UV levels demanding you bring sunblock and stay out of direct sunlight during peak hours.

And, yes, we do have to mention the rain. Summer is also the wettest season in Hong Kong, with an average of 15 rainy days, and 12 inches of rain, falling over May alone.

May is also the beginning of typhoon season, though the probability of experiencing one is relatively low until the peak summer months in July and August. Still, it's worth keeping that in mind. Of course, the Hong Kong of today is a far cry from the city of yesteryear. Where once typhoons would topple buildings and cause serious injury, today's buildings are well-equipped to shelter you safely. There's also a weather warning system that will notify you well ahead of time, so if you do experience one during your vacation, you can plan around it.

So, when the weather can be so hot yet wet, how do you pack? Well, start with packing super-light clothing - shorts, t-shirts, summer dresses, and sandals. If you're worried about getting cold on cooler nights, feel free to supplant all that with some trousers and a light jacket.

Also, make sure you pack sunblock and a sunhat for the sunnier periods - many travelers experience sun and heat stroke when they visit over the summer, so make sure you're not one of them! Pack a metal water bottle that'll keep your water cool throughout the day, and stay hydrated!

Finally, prepare for the rain with a light waterproof and/or a big umbrella. Ensure you're happy for the clothes you pack to get wet - it may be inevitable.

Another month, another sporting event! This one is for MegaIce Hockey 5's, the largest ice hockey tournament in Asia. Typically falling in May - though sometimes in April - it brings together around 90 teams and more than 1000 hockey players to take part each year.

So, if you love yourself a bit of ice hockey, or just want to attend a grand sporting event during your visit, go check it out!

If you don't mind traveling out of Hong Kong for a stretch, you can also experience the Cheung Chau Bun Festival. Held on Cheung Chau, an island off the coast of Hong Kong, from the fifth to the ninth day of the fourth lunar calendar month, it's a treat for the whole family!

Highlights include the Piu Sik Parade, where children dress up as celebrities or gods and are carried through the streets on platforms that make them appear to float.

There's also the Bun Scrambling Competition, where competitors climb up bamboo towers to try and claim as many lucky buns as possible. It's all in good fun and quite a sight to see!

Buddha's Birthday also falls on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, so you'll be in town for the big day. The festival is also called the Buddha Bathing Festival. On this day, believers gather at the temples to wash the Buddha statues in a symbolic gesture to erase any inner dirt and to purify the mind.

People also eat a type of bitter biscuit, which symbolizes overcoming hardships and welcoming a better future.

Make the most of the sunshine and take a trip back in time with this walking tour of Hong Kong's World War 2 sights.

Your guide will let you know how the war played out here, showing you bunkers and pillboxes that helped the British defend Hong Kong from the Japanese, and how the intervening occupation changed Hong Kong forever.