Despite being a tiny dot on the world's map, Hong Kong is brimming with stunning architecture, mesmerising sceneries, and unique local culture, as if a living and breathing large-scale movie set. In addition to providing backdrops for local film productions, the city has been featured in numerous overseas films and drama series, with landscapes across Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the New Territories appearing on the big screen. Let us take a stroll through some of the most famous filming locations.

【Central-Mid-Levels Escalator and Walkway System｜Chungking Express｜The Dark Knight】

Opened in 1993, the world's longest outdoor covered escalator system became a landmark overnight, with many films selecting it as an iconic backdrop. For instance, in "Chungking Express", directed by Wong Kar Wai, Tony Leung's flat is located next to the escalator system. Moreover, the system was temporarily closed to the public for filming a fight scene between Christian Bale and Morgan Freeman in "The Dark Night", directed by Christopher Nolan. The escalator system has since become a must-visit spot for many movie fans alike!

【Temple Street｜C'est la vie, mon chéri｜Doctor Strange】

The hustle and bustle in the night markets, the mouth-wateringly delicious clay pot rice, the nostalgic Cantonese opera, and the traditional feng shui fortune-telling stalls – these are what embody Hong Kong's authentic charm. Directed by Derek Yee, the award-winning film “C'est la vie, mon chéri” took Temple Street (a section adjacent to a carpark building) as its setting, telling the inspiring and tragic story of how a down-and-out musician fell in love with an energetic girl, rediscovered his passion for music as a result, but ultimately lost his lover to cancer. On the other hand, one of the fierce battle scenes from the action movie “Doctor Strange” drew inspiration from Temple Street and the surrounding area of Kowloon, where the film production crew recreated a street on set mimicking Hong Kong’s famous neon signs, street food stalls, and hawkers after visiting the city.

【The 18 Districts of Hong Kong｜Transformers: Age of Extinction】

The world’s box office champion of 2014, “Transformers: Age of Extinction”, took the audience on a journey across Hong Kong, from Kowloon to Hong Kong Island, then the New Territories, nearly covering all 18 districts of the city. The prominent filming sites include the familiar Central Government Complex with "an always open door" in Admiralty, the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai, the Victoria Harbour, the Quarry Bay Market, Sai Wan Ho, the residential areas in Sham Shui Po, and more. Among them, the Montane Mansion, nicknamed the "Monster Building", rose to fame overnight and became a place of pilgrimage for many movie lovers.

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