The annual Christmas is approaching again, a perfect time to travel with loved ones, shop, and enjoy a feast, which is the most romantic experience. The question is, where to spend Christmas? Should we go to the exotic Harbin? Or the culturally rich city of Beijing? Or the modern Shanghai? Come on, it’s Christmas, of course, we should go to the city with the most Western atmosphere—Hong Kong.
For those who have never been to Hong Kong, movies from Hong Kong may be their primary way of understanding the city. Hong Kong cinema is a pioneer of Chinese-language films. Hong Kong films have always focused on commercial films that cater to audience tastes, dominated by absurd comedies and action films. The 1982 film "Shaolin Temple" not only introduced audiences to the kung fu superstar Jet Li but also opened the door for Hong Kong films to enter the mainland. The "Young and Dangerous" series of films in the 1990s and Stephen Chow's absurd comedies also had a profound impact on the mainland, with the ubiquitous "Young and Dangerous" characters on the streets and various absurd parodies that have taken the internet by storm, all reflecting the influence of Hong Kong cinema. Touring Hong Kong through the lens of its films is a great choice.
The name Victoria Harbour was given by the British in honor of Queen Victoria. Today, it is the most beautiful scenic spot in Hong Kong. The most common scenery seen in Hong Kong romance films is the male and female protagonists leaning against Victoria Harbour, enjoying the breeze and expressing their love. Next to the harbour, a 440-meter waterfront promenade has been transformed into the Avenue of Stars, featuring handprints of stars like "Leon Lai," "Andy Lau," and flowers offered to "Leslie Cheung"... This 440-meter waterfront promenade has been built into the Avenue of Stars. Similar to the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame, the ground of the promenade bears the handprints of 73 film celebrities, including Sir Run Run Shaw, Brigitte Lin, Andy Lau, Jackie Chan, and more; unlike the Hollywood Walk of Fame, this one is set against the beautiful Victoria Harbour.
Where to go for a romantic evening? Hong Kong people love Victoria Peak. Even though it can be very windy here, the temperature can differ by several degrees from the bottom of the mountain. Do you remember the romantic dinner at Victoria Peak in "Chungking Express"? The unpredictable love triangle in the film is as memorable as the charming scenery of Victoria Peak. In "Chungking Express," the character Ah-Ming invites Faye to the Peak Lookout Restaurant, where Faye desperately tries to hide her identity, and their conversation brings a knowing smile... Who can forget the love commemorated with fireworks in "The Glass Castle," which seems to be the most beautiful intensity?
"Chungking Express" was not filmed in Chongqing, nor does it tell a story about a forest. "Chungking Express" refers to a hotel, which was Wong Kar-wai's residence when he first immigrated to Hong Kong—the Chungking Mansions. As a place that best reflects Hong Kong's multicultural characteristics, the real Chungking Mansions is not as desolate as depicted in the film; instead, it has become a gathering paradise for backpackers and South Asians of Indian descent.
This is the classic birthplace of Hong Kong romance films, where Faye Wong fell in love with Tony Leung, and Takeshi Kaneshiro ate can after can of pineapple and asked, "What in this world does not expire?" Wong Kar-wai's "Chungking Express" captures the hazy emotions that are hard to articulate, blooming in the open and growing in the shadows. Thanks to Wong Kar-wai, the filming location of Chungking Mansions has become a pilgrimage site for countless young couples.
One of the most memorable scenes in "The King of Comedy" is when Yuen Tin-chiu chases after Lau Piu-piu after a night together and says to her: "I will support you!" This line has touched countless young girls; I believe that "I will support you" is even more impactful than "I love you" or "I will love you for ten thousand years." As Eric Tsang said, Nicholas Tse is very much like Leon Lai. The place that creates the romantic atmosphere of Chow's films is here, another romantic paradise behind the bustling—Shek O Beach.
Temple Street bears witness to the unwavering love in "The New Eternal Love." Perhaps urban dwellers have become numb to love in their busy lives; people's thoughts are so naive and fragile that once they can pause for a moment, they still find themselves with nothing. Material wealth cannot compensate for spiritual emptiness; deep down, there is still a longing for a passionate love. "The New Eternal Love" is essentially a dream for urban people. Whether in the TV version or the film version of "The New Eternal Love," it tells the story of unwavering love in Temple Street.
Causeway Bay is a major filming location for Hong Kong movies, home to important shopping, dining, and entertainment venues. Times Square is a landmark in Causeway Bay, a large shopping center in the area, and one of Hong Kong's top ten attractions. Sogo Department Store, WorldWay Center, and Mitsukoshi Department Store are ideal shopping paradises for socialites.
The name Victoria Harbour was given by the British in honor of Queen Victoria. Today, it is the most beautiful scenic spot in Hong Kong. The most common scenery seen in Hong Kong romance films is the male and female protagonists leaning against Victoria Harbour, enjoying the breeze and expressing their love. Next to the harbour, a 440-meter waterfront promenade has been transformed into the Avenue of Stars, featuring handprints of stars like "Leon Lai," "Andy Lau," and flowers offered to "Leslie Cheung"... This 440-meter waterfront promenade has been built into the Avenue of Stars. Similar to the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame, the ground of the promenade bears the handprints of 73 film celebrities, including Sir Run Run Shaw, Brigitte Lin, Andy Lau, Jackie Chan, and more; unlike the Hollywood Walk of Fame, this one is set against the beautiful Victoria Harbour.
Where to go for a romantic evening? Hong Kong people love Victoria Peak. Even though it can be very windy here, the temperature can differ by several degrees from the bottom of the mountain. Do you remember the romantic dinner at Victoria Peak in "Chungking Express"? The unpredictable love triangle in the film is as memorable as the charming scenery of Victoria Peak. In "Chungking Express," the character Ah-Ming invites Faye to the Peak Lookout Restaurant, where Faye desperately tries to hide her identity, and their conversation brings a knowing smile... Who can forget the love commemorated with fireworks in "The Glass Castle," which seems to be the most beautiful intensity?
"Chungking Express" was not filmed in Chongqing, nor does it tell a story about a forest. "Chungking Express" refers to a hotel, which was Wong Kar-wai's residence when he first immigrated to Hong Kong—the Chungking Mansions. As a place that best reflects Hong Kong's multicultural characteristics, the real Chungking Mansions is not as desolate as depicted in the film; instead, it has become a gathering paradise for backpackers and South Asians of Indian descent.
This is the classic birthplace of Hong Kong romance films, where Faye Wong fell in love with Tony Leung, and Takeshi Kaneshiro ate can after can of pineapple and asked, "What in this world does not expire?" Wong Kar-wai's "Chungking Express" captures the hazy emotions that are hard to articulate, blooming in the open and growing in the shadows. Thanks to Wong Kar-wai, the filming location of Chungking Mansions has become a pilgrimage site for countless young couples.
One of the most memorable scenes in "The King of Comedy" is when Yuen Tin-chiu chases after Lau Piu-piu after a night together and says to her: "I will support you!" This line has touched countless young girls; I believe that "I will support you" is even more impactful than "I love you" or "I will love you for ten thousand years." As Eric Tsang said, Nicholas Tse is very much like Leon Lai. The place that creates the romantic atmosphere of Chow's films is here, another romantic paradise behind the bustling—Shek O Beach.
Temple Street bears witness to the unwavering love in "The New Eternal Love." Perhaps urban dwellers have become numb to love in their busy lives; people's thoughts are so naive and fragile that once they can pause for a moment, they still find themselves with nothing. Material wealth cannot compensate for spiritual emptiness; deep down, there is still a longing for a passionate love. "The New Eternal Love" is essentially a dream for urban people. Whether in the TV version or the film version of "The New Eternal Love," it tells the story of unwavering love in Temple Street.
Causeway Bay is a major filming location for Hong Kong movies, home to important shopping, dining, and entertainment venues. Times Square is a landmark in Causeway Bay, a large shopping center in the area, and one of Hong Kong's top ten attractions. Sogo Department Store, WorldWay Center, and Mitsukoshi Department Store are ideal shopping paradises for socialites.
