Parents Who Rock Hong Kong: Meet Jia Liu And Smile Xu Of Little Genius House

Passionate about bilingualism, Little Genius House Co-Founders Jia Liu and Smile Xu are two of Hong Kong’s most inspirational mamas, having set up the city’s only bilingual kids club!

If you’re not familiar with Little Genius yet, check out their website and find out more about their programs, which include Creative Genius, Technology Genius, Handy Genius and Committed Genius! You can also host birthday parties at their lovely Wong Chuk Hang space – find out more here!

Here, they share what they like about Hong Kong and their fave things – read on for some top tips…

How long have you lived in Hong Kong?
Jia: I moved to Hong Kong 15 years ago and am currently living in Stanley. It doesn’t feel like living in Hong Kong but is only 20 minutes away from the heart of Hong Kong island.
Smile: I first moved here in 2004, left in 2013 and came back again in 2019.

Are you a parent? If so, how many kids do you have?
Jia: Yes, I have three children, two boys and one girl.
Smile: Yes, two girls.

Tell us about you
Jia: I graduated from Peking University and moved to the US for graduate school. I very much enjoyed working in the Lincoln Center and Broadway musical production companies but decided to move back to Hong Kong with my husband. After my children were born, I really missed the old days when I was teaching young children piano and willing to share the fun activities I had done with my own kids. So Smile and I set up Little Genius House in 2022.
Smile: Driven, passionate and fierce, I was born in mainland China and split my adult life between Hong Kong and New York. I played ping pong for China in my teens and have traveled to 46 countries by myself.

What do you love most about Hong Kong and raising your kids here?
Jia: Hong Kong is a lovely place to raise children as it has many types of schools you can choose from. It has all sorts of after school programs all over the city. Plus within 20 minutes of driving from the busiest metropolitan area, you can easily find a trail to hike.
Smile: Hong Kong is the perfect mix of the West and the East. It is important to me that my children are native in Chinese and English. It is also a great place for them to learn the roots of part of their culture and grow up in a safe environment.

What are your favorite things to do in the city?
Jia: I love trying new restaurants with my family and friends. I also enjoy doing water sports with my children and it’s lovely to hike in Lantau Island as there are so many different trails that you can explore.
Smile: I love taking my kids to charitable initiatives no matter whether it’s volunteering at a local charity, attending a pet rescue event or teaching my kids to save up their allowance to make donations.

What’s your favorite book?
Jia: I love the self-help book The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck. When I’m lost or confused, it reminds me what’s truly valuable.
Smile: My favorite book is Boarder Town by Shen Congwen. I once dreamt about the ending of the story, and jumped on the next available train to the town.

Favorite songs?
Jia: Raise Me Up by Josh Groban (my daughter’s favorite at the moment) and When You Believe by Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston.
Smile: Roar by Katy Perry, Stronger by Kelly Clarkson, and Girls on Fire by Alicia Keys.

What words of wisdom would you pass down to your younger self?
Jia: Always do your best. What you plant now, you will harvest later. – Og Mandino
Smile: As long as you work hard enough, your dreams can come true. Also love yourself more.