7 Filming Locations in Hollywood Featuring Hong Kong That You Should Check Out
For many decades, Hong Kong has been a sought-after destination for filmmakers, earning the moniker "Hollywood in the East" during the 1990s. The bustling city's dynamic ambiance and towering skyscrapers provide a dramatic backdrop for a variety of genres, from action-packed films to science-fiction thrillers. Here are some of the most notable filming locations in Hong Kong.
Top Locations in Hong Kong for Filming
1. Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club – Die Another Day
In the scene, Pierce Brosnan's James Bond makes a daring escape by plunging into the waters of Victoria Harbour and resurfacing at the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club in Causeway Bay. However, eagle-eyed viewers familiar with Hong Kong may notice that he emerges on the incorrect shore.
2. Tsing Shan Monastery – Enter The Dragon
To make a list of top filming locations in Hong Kong without including a visit to the Tsing Shan Monastery would be incomplete. This heritage-listed site, featured in the Bruce Lee classic, is situated at the base of Castle Peak and requires a 30-minute trek from the Tsing Shan Tsuen light rail station in the western New Territories.
3. Chungking Mansions –Chungking Express
In Wong Kar-wai's bittersweet romantic thriller, Chungking Mansions in Tsim Sha Tsui takes center stage as a bustling multi-level complex of shops, restaurants, and affordable lodgings. The ambiance of the area is captivating and the lighting is perfect for photography.
4. Central-Mid-Levels Escalator – Dark Night
In the second installment of Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy, the action sequence revolves around the escalator, which happens to be the world's longest covered outdoor escalator system. For a scene between Christian Bale and Morgan Freeman, the director and his crew had to temporarily shut down the escalator.
5. 'Monster Building' – Transformers: Age of Extinction
Countless music videos, fashion shoots, and Instagram posts feature this massive building. However, its most prominent appearance was in a robot battle movie starring Mark Wahlberg. While this enormous apartment complex is a popular spot for taking pictures, it may be inaccessible to tourists at certain times, so it's best to be cautious.
6. Guangdong Investment Tower – Internal Affairs
While the most well-known filming location from Internal Affairs is currently inaccessible to the public, fans of the movie can still explore another significant site - the lobby of the tower in Sheung Wan. This particular location is where a major plot twist takes place in the film, making it a must-visit spot for fans.
7. Jackson Road, Central – A Better Tomorrow
Undoubtedly, one of the most impressive shooting locations in the city is this one. The renowned film by Hong Kong director John Woo remains a timeless masterpiece. Actor Chow Yun-fat made his debut as Mark in a trench coat and sunglasses at this location, setting a trend that would endure for years to come!
