7 rainy day activities in Hong Kong, from bowling to skating to visiting a library, that don’t involve shopping

When Hong Kong’s summer rains drive you indoors, there’s more to do than wander around a shopping centre – a multitude of activities, in fact

How about some speed skating, a tenpin bowling bar, a virtual-reality game with friends, a truly quirky museum or a trip to the library to take out a book?

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Rainy days in Hong Kong don’t have to mean staying at home. You could check out Hong Kong’s first international-standard short-track speedskating programme, led by Olympic athlete Sidney Chu and his team, for instance.

Published: 11:15am, 1 Jul 2022Updated: 11:31am, 4 Jul 2022

People in Hong Kong are spoiled for choice when it comes to outdoor activities: scenic hikes; beaches; sports on water or land. However, when rain, humidity and the odd approaching, still-distant typhoon play havoc with your plans, it’s sometimes difficult to know what to do indoors beyond browsing the shops at your nearest shopping centre.

Nevertheless, we’ve come up with a few suggestions:

1. DB Ice Rink, Discovery Bay

One of the largest ice skating rinks in the city has a new offering – Hong Kong’s first international-standard short-track speedskating programme. Led by Olympian Sidney Chu and his team, the programme hopes to promote and nurture a new generation of speed skaters.

Harry Lee Hau-yin is a figure skater and has just joined on to coach at DB Ice Rink.

Introductory lessons continue on Sundays on July 3 (typhoon permitting) and July 17 (7pm-8pm) ahead of an as-yet confirmed course through the summer. The HK$295 (US$38) fee includes rental of speed skates, a helmet and gloves. The rink on Lantau Island also offers ice skating lessons and a public skate option (HK$60, including skates). It is also used by ice hockey teams.

The year-old rink is built to standards compatible with international hockey and ice and figure skating competition, so there is plenty of ice to share.

The interior of the Tikitiki Bowling Bar is influenced by Caribbean and Polynesian design. Photo: Connor Mycroft

2. Tikitiki Bowling Bar, Sai Kung

The neon sign on Hiram’s Highway, heading into the New Territories’ Sai Kung from Choi Hung, gives an idea of what’s waiting. Inside, orchids, palm trees, lava rocks and rum cocktails in tiki-shaped mugs set the scene. On the fourth floor of the Centro plaza, the interior of the Tikitiki bowling bar is influenced by Caribbean and Polynesian design.

One of the bar areas at Tikitiki Bowling Bar. Photo: Connor Mycroft

Bowling shoes are provided and Tikitiki has added black lights to its American-imported lanes, making the pins easier to hone in on. The bowling alley is the centrepiece of the venue, but it also boasts several bar and dining areas, including a steakhouse (available by reservation only).

The best deal might just be the Easy Spare Package, which includes two hours of bowling and a generous eight drinks per person, for HK$299.