Wong Kar-wai's Hong Kong: four locations with sources

One thing to say first: In the Mood for Love is set in 1960s Hong Kong, but some of its outdoor and hotel scenes were shot in Bangkok, Thailand. A 2025 report in the British film magazine Little White Lies identified an alley off Charoen Krung Road in Bangkok's Bangrak district used in the film as the street outside the building where Chow Mo-wan and Su Li-zhen live. The "Hong Kong" in Wong Kar-wai's films was not always shot in Hong Kong.

1. Chungking Mansions (Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui)

Film: Chungking Express (1994)

The English Wikipedia article "Chungking Express" explains that "Chungking" in the title refers to Chungking Mansions in Tsim Sha Tsui, where most of the film's first story takes place. Reports cited in the article say Wong Kar-wai grew up in Tsim Sha Tsui and has a strong attachment to the area; he was drawn to Chungking Mansions for its many guesthouses, its mix of cultures, and its reputation as a crime hotspot.

Today: the English Wikipedia article "Chungking Mansions" explains that the building is at 36–44 Nathan Road, was completed in 1961 and was originally planned as residential. Today it is made up of many budget guesthouses, shops and services of all kinds, including curry restaurants, clothing shops and money changers.

Who to contact: Chungking Mansions is private property. The Film Promotion and Facilitation Section's FAQ explains that filming in private or public premises needs the owner's prior approval, generally taking 7 to 10 working days, and the owner can charge rent or handling fees, a deposit and third-party liability insurance. To film inside the building, apply to the owner or management.

2. Central–Mid-Levels escalator

Film: Chungking Express (1994)

The English Wikipedia article "Central–Mid-Levels escalator and walkway system" quotes an interview with Wong Kar-wai: he was interested in the escalator because "nobody had shot a film there". The "Chungking Express" article also notes that the home of Tony Leung Chiu-wai's character was the flat cinematographer Christopher Doyle lived in at the time of filming, near the escalator.

Today: the article says the escalator system opened on 15 October 1993, is 800 metres long and climbs 135 metres, and is managed and maintained by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department. It runs downhill from 6 am to 10 am and uphill from 10 am to midnight.

Who to contact: the escalator is a government facility. Filming that does not occupy the whole walkway can be handled as a public place: the Film Promotion and Facilitation Section's FAQ says the police encourage crews to submit a location filming notification to the Police Public Relations Branch. To occupy the walkway or set up equipment, first ask the Film Promotion and Facilitation Section which department manages it. Choosing quieter times makes it much easier.

3. Around Lan Kwai Fong (Central)

Film: Chungking Express (1994)

The "Chungking Express" article explains that "Express" in the title refers to Midnight Express, a fast-food shop in Lan Kwai Fong; the film's second story was shot in Central, including around Lan Kwai Fong and Midnight Express. In the film, Tony Leung Chiu-wai's cop and Faye Wong's character meet at this snack bar.

Who to contact: the streets of Lan Kwai Fong are public places and are handled as above. To film inside shops, apply to the shop owner and the property owner.

4. Kowloon Walled City (now Kowloon Walled City Park)

Film: Days of Being Wild (1990)

The Tourism Commission's 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, giving the film its distinctive mark of the era.

Today: the Walled City has been demolished, and the site is now Kowloon Walled City Park, managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. The same guide notes that the park is open from 6:30 am to 11 pm, and 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.

Who to contact: a Leisure and Cultural Services Department venue. The Film Promotion and Facilitation Section's FAQ states that the department's venues and facilities need approval from the relevant government department; apply on the department's filming application form.

Before you go

All of these places are busy, with residents and businesses. Do three things before filming:

1. Using the types above, confirm whether the location is a public place, a government venue or private property, and go to the right channel.
2. On the recce, visit at the same time as the shoot to check crowds and light.
3. The Film Promotion and Facilitation Section's location database has information and application procedures for more than 1,400 locations; check there first.

Our filming permit checklist lets you check, item by item, who to apply to for each setting.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the escalator scene from Chungking Express?

The Central–Mid-Levels escalator. The English Wikipedia quotes an interview in which Wong Kar-wai said he chose it because nobody had shot a film there.

Where was the ending of Days of Being Wild shot?

The Tourism Commission's guide says Tony Leung Chiu-wai's scene at the end was shot on location in the Kowloon Walled City; the site is now Kowloon Walled City Park.

Was In the Mood for Love shot entirely in Hong Kong?

No. Some of its outdoor and hotel scenes were shot in Bangkok, Thailand, and a 2025 Little White Lies report identified one of the streets.

Do we need to apply to film at these places?

It depends on who manages each one. Private property needs the owner's approval; Leisure and Cultural Services Department venues need an application to the department; public places not wholly occupied usually need no approval, and the police encourage crews to submit a location filming notification.

References

1. Chungking Express (1994), directed by Wong Kar-wai
2. Wikipedia, Chungking Express: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chungking_Express
3. Wikipedia, Central–Mid-Levels escalator and walkway system: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central%E2%80%93Mid-Levels_escalator_and_walkway_system
4. Tourism Commission, City in Time: Kowloon City (PDF, Chinese): www.cityintime.hk/media/2026/01/CityInTime_KLN_eBook_TC_final.pdf
5. Leisure and Cultural Services Department, Kowloon Walled City Park (Chinese): www.lcsd.gov.hk/tc/parks/kwcp/index.html
6. Wikipedia, Chungking Mansions: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chungking_Mansions
7. Government press release, Caped Crusader flies into Hong Kong (7 November 2007): www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200711/07/P200711070275.htm
8. Little White Lies, Nostalgia folding in upon itself: A visit to Wong Kar-wai’s Bangkok (12 February 2025): lwlies.com/journeys/in-the-mood-for-love-bangkok
9. 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.