Hongkong

[7105]

Hello, since my husband needs to go to Hongkong in November, he came up with the idea to bring our by then 14 weeks old son along. On one hand I´d really like to do it, on the other hand I´m a little worried if it´s relly a good place to bring a little child. Especially in terms of pollution, crowds, ... whatever. If anyone could share his experiences or advices, I´d be very grateful.

[Haved lived in HK]

Having lived in HK for 3yrs I really wouldn't take a baby there.  It is very polluted and can be quite difficult to get around - forget a pushchair.   although this time of year the weather is really pleasant I'm not sure that it would be so much fun for you.  Why not wait and if possible go somewhere else.  HK is a great place if you don't have a baby in tow.  I had a baby there and really didn't find it 'child friendly'.  I also know the polluction has been really bad recently

[don't be so negative]

i've lived in hk and while i haven't had a baby there, i have taken my son to hk and have very good friends there who have lots of babies between and they're all just fine and dandy.

hk is an amazing place to visit if you've never been and at 14 weeks your child is still young enough to cart around without too much trouble.

depends on what kind of spirit of adventure you have??

if you know people there to visit then even better but even if you don't and if your husband is free over the weekend to hang out with you guys then i'd say it's worth a visit. you can take the tram up to the peak, the star ferry across to kowloon to see the harbour front and just soak in the atmosphere -it's like no where else on earth.

it's getting cooler there so if you go, you'd need some warm clothes for the baby.

if you're not of the exploring kind then maybe don't go but if it's one of those places you've always wanted to visit then go for it!

[globetrotter]

We just did that, but our son is 9 months old. Hubby was free for the weekend, and we did what the above poster mentioned - Peak tram (amazing ride), Star Ferry, brunch in SoHo with a friend, the No. 6 bus to Stanley market. Then while he was working, we just enjoyed the hotel, went shopping in Pacific Mall and wandered through Hong Kong Park, since our hotel was in Pacific Place. We used a lightweight stroller and a baby carrier (thanks to suggestions from this board) - certainly do-able. Pollution is certainly high - you can see less looking across the harbour to the Kowloon side than you can looking across the Straits to JB, and the distance is far less.
But we had a wonderful time.

[why?]

For goodness sake, your child will be fine!!  The pollution is not going to affect your child for a short-stay unless they are a severe, chronic asthamtic.  C'mon, the incidence of bronchial disease in HK  is probably less than in somewhere like Australia.  It's a fantastic time of year to visit, weather is simply superb, and in fact a lot more comfortable than in S'pore.  Really, HK is NOT SCARY!  Have a ball!

[globetrotter]

Didn't mean to sound negative.

Had a fabulous time. Highly recommend it.