Hazy Planet

Lonely Planet has given Hong Kong a black eye.

View large image The cover depicts Hong Kong blanketed in a thick haze. Only the Bank of China is identifiable. But it could be misinterpreted as severe smog.

It's nowhere near that bad. The smog blanket can be that thick, but we have clear days too. It depends on the time of year and the prevailing winds. Green groups point to this as proof of deplorable air conditions. Tourist groups are unhappy with the potentially negative blowback.

So let me set the record straight:

Hong Kong has air quality problems, but some areas are worse than others.

The city isn't always under a perpetual haze; sometimes we get clear blue skies.

Yes, the air needs improvement, but it's not bad enough that I see the need to leave.

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