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Uniquely HK

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Top Ten Hong Kong Movie Locations

We check out the sites of the city’s most unforgettable movie scenes

Unsurprisingly, Hong Kong’s magnificent harbour skyline, its hills and endless skyscrapers, its colourful streets and buzzing crowds, and the glitz and glamour of being Asia’s World City and a global financial centre make the city a movie director’s dream. Hong Kong itself is one of Asia’s great movie hubs with countless films made in the city and loved by audiences the world over. The city has produced global icons like Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Chow Yun Fat and Stephen Chow, as well as A-list directors including Wong Kar Wai and John Woo. Asked to name a classic Hong Kong movie, you might suggest Enter the Dragon, Chungking Express or Infernal Affairs, among many others. Numerous locations are recognisable to movie aficionados and the city’s compactness means they are all within easy reach.

So, why not spend a fun afternoon checking out a few top film locations and reliving your favourite movie scenes?

Repulse Bay Beach ( Love is a Many Splendored Thing , 1955 )

The story of American reporter Mark Elliot (William Holden) falling in love with Eurasian doctor Han Suyin (Jennifer Jones) was one of the earliest Hollywood movies filmed in Hong Kong. It won three Oscars, including for Best Song. In one scene, Mark and Suyin drive to a beach on Hong Kong's south side. Filming took in three different locations – Repulse Bay, Stanley Beach and Middle Island (across from Deep Water Bay). The colonial Repulse Bay Hotel in the film was torn down but, in its place, you can find “The Veranda” – a stately European restaurant overlooking the beach.
Check out Repulse Bay Beach and the large Kwun Yam Temple by the shore, and take a stroll along the promenade connecting that bay with Deep Water Bay.

Aberdeen ( Enter the Dragon, 1972 )

One of Bruce Lee's finest movies extensively features Aberdeen Harbour where Bruce Lee and company board a junk to the mysterious Han's Island for a fight fest. Back then the harbour teemed with working fishing boats and sampans ferrying people and goods to and fro. The two famous floating restaurants, Jumbo and Tai Pak, were already in business, and they are still there today.
Visit Aberdeen, Wong Chuk Hang and nearby Ocean Park and then try a seafood dinner at one of the floating restaurants.

Wing On Plaza, Tsim Sha Tsui ( Police Story , 1985 )

From one of star Jackie Chan’s personal favourite movies, written and directed by himself, the 10-minute climactic fight scene at this shopping mall remains a classic. Chan supposedly injured himself from the stunt he did sliding down the pole inside the shopping mall. The plaza is little changed, making it easy to re-live this famous scene.

Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery ( Infernal Affairs , 2002 )

This crime thriller was remade by Martin Scorsese in 2006 as “The Departed”, winning an Oscar for Best Picture. The opening scene shows Eric Tsang drinking tea at the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery in Sha Tin with young triad members before they go off to join the police force as spies.

Chungking Mansions ( Chungking Express , 1994 )

This infamous building in the heart of downtown Kowloon was half of the focus of Wong Kar Wai's classic movie of two tales. While the labyrinth of pint-sized shops on the ground floor and cage-like, grungy hostels on the upper floors have been cleaned up a bit, Chungking Mansions remains a mecca for bargain-hunting tourists from all over the world as well as a fascinating destination for movie buffs and curiosity seekers.

IFC Two (The Dark Knight, 2008)

Most of The Dark Knight was shot elsewhere, but one dramatic scene, under the taut direction of Christopher Nolan, captured the essence of Hong Kong and its then tallest building. Batman (Christian Bale) leaps spectacularly from ifc Two (International Finance Centre II) to ifc One and breaks in to capture Lau, a Chinese accountant who has hidden the mob’s funds. Check out the luxury mall in the building and its roof garden with a spectacular view of the harbour.

Mid-level Escalators ( various films )

The distinctive topography of the world’s longest escalator walkway system has earned it a place in numerous films. The link between Connaught Road in the heart of the financial district and residential Conduit Road in Mid-levels traverses the hip neighbourhoods it has spawned. Movies in which you may have seen it include Chungking Express, The Dark Knight, Jackie Chan’s Accidental Spy, and The New Police Story.

Find a few hours to walk the escalator series; stepping off and on to check out the antique shops and galleries along Hollywood Road, and perhaps enjoy a pleasant lunch at one of the many chic restaurants that line its route in Soho.

Yau Ma Tei Police Station( Rush Hour 2, Infernal Affairs and others )

This architecturally distinctive Edwardian building is seen in quite a few of the crime genre films for which Hong Kong is famous. The police station is now closed but the building still stands, awaiting redevelopment plans. Check out the vibrant street markets nearby including Jade Market (morning) and Temple Street (evening) to soak up the city’s hustle and bustle.

Wai Yip Street footbridge, Kwun Tong ( Love in a Puff , 2010 )

This striking pedestrian bridge is a popular photo spot for social media, largely owing to its iconic role alongside Shawn Yue and Miriam Yeung in this movie. The white pedestrian walkway connects surrounding buildings but it’s the train caboose–like structure of the bridge that catches the eye. Also check out the nearby Kwun Tong promenade, rapidly gaining popularity as a harbourfront gathering place.

Montane Mansion, et al, Quarry Bay ( The Transformers, Age of Extinction, 2014 )

This blockbuster movie wreaked havoc on Hong Kong’s urban landscape, with scenes filmed at Montane Mansion and nearby buildings helping depict the city’s gritty underbelly. The building is now a sought-after spot for instagrammers. Check out the local neighbourhoods of Quarry Bay and North Point for local food, a varied retail scene and characterful street markets.

 

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