Start with the application channels
The FAQ of the Film Promotion and Facilitation Section of the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency divides locations into three types:
- Public places: filming that does not wholly occupy the place usually needs no approval; the police encourage crews to submit a location filming notification to the Police Public Relations Branch, free of charge.
- Government land or property: approval from the relevant government department is required. The FAQ's examples include Leisure and Cultural Services Department venues such as the Tsim Sha Tsui East Promenade and the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.
- Private or public premises: the owner's prior approval is required, generally taking 7 to 10 working days, and the owner can charge rent or handling fees, a deposit and third-party liability insurance.
Yau Ma Tei
1. Yau Ma Tei Police Station (627 Canton Road)
Films: Infernal Affairs, PTU
The City in Time guide to Yau Ma Tei describes the police station as a must-see for film fans: the scenes between Tony Leung Chiu-wai and Andy Lau in Infernal Affairs, and Simon Yam on patrol in PTU, were shot here.
Today: the station was completed in 1922. The guide notes that in 2016 most of its services moved to a new site; the old building kept its report room and was refurbished as offices for the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau.
Type: government building still in police use. First ask the Film Promotion and Facilitation Section how to apply.
2. Temple Street
Films: Anita, C'est la vie, mon chéri
The guide explains that Temple Street takes its name from the nearby Tin Hau Temple and has been a location for several classic films, including Anita and C'est la vie, mon chéri.
Type: public place. The guide mentions that Temple Street comes alive from early evening every day; to film the stalls, ask the stall owners separately.
3. Yau Ma Tei Community Centre Rest Garden (formerly the Banyan Tree, 60 Public Square Street)
Film: 《廟街十二少》
The guide explains that the open space opposite the Tin Hau Temple has several banyan trees, known locally as the "Banyan Tree", and was once packed with hawkers and dai pai dong. It was a location for films including 《廟街十二少》 and has since been turned into the Yau Ma Tei Community Centre Rest Garden.
Type: public open space; first ask the Film Promotion and Facilitation Section which department manages it.
Tsim Sha Tsui
4. Tsim Sha Tsui Clock Tower
Film: Cold War
The City in Time guide to Tsim Sha Tsui explains that the clock tower has been a location for several Hong Kong films, including the box-office hit Cold War.
5. Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront
Film: Curry and Pepper
The same guide explains that the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront was a location for the 1990s Hong Kong film Curry and Pepper.
Type for the clock tower and waterfront: government land. The Film Promotion and Facilitation Section's FAQ lists the Tsim Sha Tsui East Promenade as a venue needing government department approval; for locations in the same area, find out which department manages it before applying.
6. The Peninsula lobby (22 Salisbury Road)
Film: 《停不了的愛》
The guide explains that the lobby of The Peninsula has been the setting for countless romantic film scenes, including the scene in 《停不了的愛》 where the leads first meet. The hotel was completed in 1928.
Type: private property; apply to the hotel.
Kowloon City and old Kai Tak
7. Kowloon Walled City Park
Films: Days of Being Wild, Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In
The City in Time guide to Kowloon City explains that Tony Leung Chiu-wai's surprise appearance at the end of Days of Being Wild was shot on location in the Kowloon Walled City. The site of the Walled City is now Kowloon Walled City Park, managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. The guide notes that since May 2025 the park's Yamen building has hosted an exhibition, 「九龍城寨光影之旅」, recreating scenes from Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In.
Type: Leisure and Cultural Services Department venue; apply on the department's filming application form.
8. Former Kai Tak Airport
Films: Love Unto Waste, The Killer
The same guide explains that Kai Tak Airport was a location for several classic films, including Love Unto Waste and The Killer; the guide places clips from these films on the AR clock at the Kai Tak retail building at 38–39 Shing Kai Road.
Also worth a mention: Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery, Sha Tin
Film: Infernal Affairs
The English Wikipedia article "Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery" explains that the monastery (220 Pai Tau Village, Sha Tin) is the setting for the opening scene of the 2002 crime thriller Infernal Affairs, in which triad bosses pray before the Buddha statues. The article's sources include a 2012 article in The Guardian and Gina Marchetti's 2007 book on the Infernal Affairs trilogy, published by Hong Kong University Press. The article also says the monastery is run entirely by lay people.
Type: private religious site; apply to the monastery, and respect worshippers.
Before you go
- The Film Promotion and Facilitation Section's location database has information, photos and application procedures for more than 1,400 locations.
- Yau Ma Tei and Tsim Sha Tsui are busy day and night; visit at the same time as the shoot on the recce.
- Our filming permit checklist lets you check, item by item, who to apply to for each setting.
Frequently asked questions
Where was Infernal Affairs shot?
The locations in this guide include Yau Ma Tei Police Station (the scenes between Tony Leung Chiu-wai and Andy Lau, per the City in Time guide to Yau Ma Tei) and the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery in Sha Tin (the opening scene, per the English Wikipedia). The sequel, Infernal Affairs III, was shot on Pottinger Street in Central.
Do we need to apply to film on Temple Street?
The street is a public place. Filming that does not wholly occupy it usually needs no approval, and the police encourage crews to submit a location filming notification. Filming stalls or shops needs the stall or shop owner's permission.
Who do we contact to film at The Peninsula?
The hotel is private property; apply to the hotel directly. The Film Promotion and Facilitation Section says applications for private premises generally take 7 to 10 working days.
References
- Tourism Commission, City in Time: Yau Ma Tei (PDF, Chinese): www.cityintime.hk/media/2026/01/CityInTime_YMT_eBook_TC_Final-1.pdf
- Tourism Commission, City in Time: Tsim Sha Tsui (PDF, Chinese): www.cityintime.hk/media/2026/01/CityInTime_TST_eBook_TC_Final-1.pdf
- Tourism Commission, City in Time: Kowloon City (PDF, Chinese): www.cityintime.hk/media/2026/01/CityInTime_KLN_eBook_TC_final.pdf
- Wikipedia, Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_Thousand_Buddhas_Monastery
- Film Promotion and Facilitation Section, FAQ (Chinese): fpf.ccidahk.gov.hk/tc/resources/faq.php
The pages above were accessed on 1 November 2026.
Published 1 November 2026.
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