Plus, you want to spend time at many of these locations and trying to see them all in one big trip would turn it into a Chinese-style whistle stop tour whereby you spend about 2 minutes at each place before having to move on.
Anyway, hopefully the information I've provided below will go some way to make the experience a bit more achievable and enjoyable. For the benefit of this guide I will travel (virtually) around the New Territories in a clockwise direction. Of course, strictly speaking the "New Territories" includes everywhere north of Boundary Street, but most people these days consider that the NT proper starts on the ridgeline of the Kowloon hills, so we'll go with that (otherwise all of my Kowloon Part 3 locations would be included below). As usual, I've created a Google map.
Anyway, hopefully the information I've provided below will go some way to make the experience a bit more achievable and enjoyable. For the benefit of this guide I will travel (virtually) around the New Territories in a clockwise direction. Of course, strictly speaking the "New Territories" includes everywhere north of Boundary Street, but most people these days consider that the NT proper starts on the ridgeline of the Kowloon hills, so we'll go with that (otherwise all of my Kowloon Part 3 locations would be included below). As usual, I've created a Google map.
List of Sites
1. Tsuen Wan
1. Tsuen Wan
- Former site of Wader Studios
2. Tuen Mun
- Tsing Shan Monastery
- Ching Chung Koon
3. Yuen Long
- Tai Yuen Fishing Village
4. Sheung Shui
- Ho Sheung Heung
- Woodland Crest
5. Fanling
- Fanling Station
- Fung Ying Seen Koon
- Yip Man's Grave
6. Taipo
- Former site of Tai Po Station
7. Shatin
- Tsing Shan Monastery
- Ching Chung Koon
3. Yuen Long
- Tai Yuen Fishing Village
4. Sheung Shui
- Ho Sheung Heung
- Woodland Crest
5. Fanling
- Fanling Station
- Fung Ying Seen Koon
- Yip Man's Grave
6. Taipo
- Former site of Tai Po Station
7. Shatin
- Former site of Yucca de Lac
- Lung Wah Hotel
- West Forest Temple
- 10000 Buddha Temple
- Tao Fung Shan
- Heritage Museum (exhibition)
- KCR bridge crossing in Tai Wai
8. Sai Kung
- Lung Mei
- Lung Wah Hotel
- West Forest Temple
- 10000 Buddha Temple
- Tao Fung Shan
- Heritage Museum (exhibition)
- KCR bridge crossing in Tai Wai
8. Sai Kung
- Lung Mei
- Pak Tam Chung
- Former site of Movietown
1. Tsuen Wan
- former site of Wader Studios
- Former site of Movietown
1. Tsuen Wan
- former site of Wader Studios
The first stop on this tour is in the Kwai Chung part of Tsuen Wan. We're going here because of the recent revelation (I say recent, but we're going back a few years now) that Wader Studios was the film studio used by Golden Harvest to film the cart scenes for The Big Boss. Remember that when Bruce was first signed to GH, they didn't have any studios of their own and their first few productions were actually shot overseas. For The Big Boss's principal photography, this was done in Thailand. However, some scenes were completed in Hong Kong including the cart scene and some pick-up shots for the final fight between Lee's character and the titular boss (played by Han Ying-chieh). Not having their own studio meant GH had to hire a studio to complete the cart scenes. By the time Fist of Fury was made, GH had secured the former MP&GI studios in Diamond Hill and the rest is history.
Sadly, Wader Studios closed down circa 1973 the site was redeveloped into a large 3 block industrial development called Wah Tat Industrial Building (Wah Tat is the Chinese name for "Wader"). Most of what was part of the studio plot was deeply excavated and no longer exists.
Sadly, Wader Studios closed down circa 1973 the site was redeveloped into a large 3 block industrial development called Wah Tat Industrial Building (Wah Tat is the Chinese name for "Wader"). Most of what was part of the studio plot was deeply excavated and no longer exists.
I've actually featured the studios in several posts previously and Lee aficionados will immediately recognise the red/white trim concrete walls from some candid shots of Bruce relaxing between takes with his The Big Boss white t-shirt costume on.
Bruce between takes at Wader Studios
Getting there:
To get here from downtown Kowloon you can take the red Central/Tsuen Wan MTR line and alight at Kwai Chung Station. From there it is about a 5-10 minute walk up to Castle Peak Road where the Wader Industrial buildings stand. Or if you are in East Kowloon/Kwun Tong area you can catch the 38, 42C or 234C buses and alight at Ping Lai Path.
2. Tuen Mun
2. Tuen Mun
- Tsing Shan Monastery
The next stop on our itinerary is Tuen Mun in what was once known as Castle Peak Bay. These days the bay has been all but reclaimed and Tuen Mun new town has filled up what was once a very picturesque piece of Hong Kong waterfront. There are a couple of Lee-related locations here. The first is the famous Tsing Shan Monastery that was used for the "pointing finger" and "kick me" scenes in Enter the Dragon. It's funny, but when I first moved to Hong Kong I had no idea where these scenes were filmed until I saw a local TV program one day that showed the area where Bruce shot his dialogue with Roy Chiao as the head monk. It still took a few more years for me to make it out there though.
Remember that both the scene with Roy Chiao and the subsequent scene with Stephen Tung Wei were filmed close together. "Lao's Time", with Tung Wei as Lee's student, was filmed on the lower of two terraces on the hillside behind the temple whereas the Monk scene with Chiao was filmed on the upper terrace. Both are easy to find once you make the journey up the hill.
Lower terrace for "Lao's Time"
Upper terrace for the monk scene
Getting there:
The Tuen-Ma Line (formerly "West Rail") terminates at Tuen Mun. From there you can grab a green cab up to the monastery (might be useful having he Chinese name - 青山禪院 - to show the driver). A friend recently tried to grab a red taxi there and the driver (illegally) refused - they, generally, are waiting for bigger fares back into Kowloon.
If you are feeling fit then you can also walk up to the temple, that way you also get to appreciate the Yap Hui Pavilion and the Heung Hoi Ming Shan archway. But, be warned, it's uphill all the way and very tiring, especially on a typical hot Hong Kong day.
The next stop on our itinerary is Tuen Mun in what was once known as Castle Peak Bay. These days the bay has been all but reclaimed and Tuen Mun new town has filled up what was once a very picturesque piece of Hong Kong waterfront. There are a couple of Lee-related locations here. The first is the famous Tsing Shan Monastery that was used for the "pointing finger" and "kick me" scenes in Enter the Dragon. It's funny, but when I first moved to Hong Kong I had no idea where these scenes were filmed until I saw a local TV program one day that showed the area where Bruce shot his dialogue with Roy Chiao as the head monk. It still took a few more years for me to make it out there though.
Remember that both the scene with Roy Chiao and the subsequent scene with Stephen Tung Wei were filmed close together. "Lao's Time", with Tung Wei as Lee's student, was filmed on the lower of two terraces on the hillside behind the temple whereas the Monk scene with Chiao was filmed on the upper terrace. Both are easy to find once you make the journey up the hill.
Lower terrace for "Lao's Time"
Upper terrace for the monk scene
Getting there:
The Tuen-Ma Line (formerly "West Rail") terminates at Tuen Mun. From there you can grab a green cab up to the monastery (might be useful having he Chinese name - 青山禪院 - to show the driver). A friend recently tried to grab a red taxi there and the driver (illegally) refused - they, generally, are waiting for bigger fares back into Kowloon.
If you are feeling fit then you can also walk up to the temple, that way you also get to appreciate the Yap Hui Pavilion and the Heung Hoi Ming Shan archway. But, be warned, it's uphill all the way and very tiring, especially on a typical hot Hong Kong day.
- Ching Chung Koon
Ching Chung Koon is not necessarily directly Lee-related because I couldn't say whether or not Bruce was there when the opening shot of the temple was filmed for Enter the Dragon. The temple has changed very little, but everything around it has and the place is now surrounded by a major road network. Even now people still seem to think that the Sammo/Bruce fight was filmed here: it wasn't. More on that location later. Sadly, unless you have a sooperdooper camera lens it's quite hard to recreate the opening shot from the film because there is now a major road located where the camera would have been.
It's been a popular filming location over the years, you can see the films I have identified over the years here.
As seeen in the opening frames of Enter the Dragon
Ching Chung Koon is a bit further into Tuen Mun than the monastery. You can walk but it will take a while because as in other places in Hong Kong, the walking route is rarely in a straight line. So, the best way is to get the Tuen-Ma Line to the Tuen Mun terminus and then catch a light rail (LTR) red line (#505) to the Ching Chung stop.
3. Yuen Long
- Tai Yuen Fishing Garden
This one is a new one for me and it was discovered by long time blog supporter, AP. He had sent me the image below asking if it was in Hong Kong and even though I figured it could be, I had no idea where it was. After a bit of digging, AP himself found out via Facebook that this image was taken at one of Hong Kong's old-style amusement parks (Hong Kong used to have a plethora of scenic gardens with pavilions and lakes where people could go for a stroll, do some fishing or boating). This one in particular was called Tai Yuen Fishing Village (泰園漁村) and was located NE of Yuen Long town centre along the northern section of Castle Peak Road (now the San Tin Highway). It was thanks to AP's detective work that I was able to later realise this place was a filming location for a Shaw movie (see here).
The site closed in the 80s, I believe, and has since been redeveloped into a small factory estate and contains a few businesses including what looks to be a storage centre for the Trappist Dairy company. Nothing remains from Bruce's time but some houses built later did survive and still seem to be in-situ. Terewong has a (Chinese) blog entry about it here. The main entrance to the park was where Fairview Park Boulevard now stands. Like most of the Hong Kong Bruce was familiar with, the area has changed beyond recognition and, similar to the rest of the NT, is no longer as picturesque. There are still fish ponds in the area though if you feel the need to stop off and get some photos.
The image below shows Brandon and Shannon posing in front of a tree next to the Tai Yuen fishing ponds with the park's Chinese-style pavilions in the background.
Brandon and Shannon pose for a photo
Getting There:
Of all the places I've included on this guide, I would say this is the least worth your effort. There is literally nothing left from Bruce's time and getting here is not very convenient. But, if you feel the need to go then the best way is to catch the Tuen-Ma line to Yuen Long Station and then the green minibus 37/38 to Castle Peak Road alighting nr Meister House, located just off the roundabout for Fairview Park. From there you can walk for 5/10 minutes to the general area. If you follow Yau Pok Road a bit further then you can see some fish ponds that are typical of the type that has been in the area for many years.
Of all the places I've included on this guide, I would say this is the least worth your effort. There is literally nothing left from Bruce's time and getting here is not very convenient. But, if you feel the need to go then the best way is to catch the Tuen-Ma line to Yuen Long Station and then the green minibus 37/38 to Castle Peak Road alighting nr Meister House, located just off the roundabout for Fairview Park. From there you can walk for 5/10 minutes to the general area. If you follow Yau Pok Road a bit further then you can see some fish ponds that are typical of the type that has been in the area for many years.
4. Sheung Shui
- Ho Sheung Heung
Next up on our round trip of the NT is a stop off at Ho Sheung Heung. Older readers of my stuff will know that I finally managed to locate the place where Bruce fought Sammo at the beginning of Enter the Dragon back in 2009 and it looks like this location is finally getting some recognition - it's nice to see the location get a mention in a recent "Stripey Rambles" video after the disappointment of Frank Djeng missing it off his locations mini-doc. I republished an old, deleted post about the circumstances around finding it here. Suffice to say it turned out to be a popular location for many filmmakers throughout the 1970s and every so often I add another film to this growing list.
When I first located this place the adjacent hillocks were fairly overgrown and it was difficult to get a decent vantage point, however, the village has since built a pavilion and a small access path on the northernmost hillock. Reminder: This pavilion only provides an overlook to the general filming area, it is not the location itself. The filming location is still too overgrown to access or even see properly. There is a small lane from Ho Sheung Road that goes up to the pavilion. It's located just past the archway that marks the entrance to the village.
- Ho Sheung Heung
Next up on our round trip of the NT is a stop off at Ho Sheung Heung. Older readers of my stuff will know that I finally managed to locate the place where Bruce fought Sammo at the beginning of Enter the Dragon back in 2009 and it looks like this location is finally getting some recognition - it's nice to see the location get a mention in a recent "Stripey Rambles" video after the disappointment of Frank Djeng missing it off his locations mini-doc. I republished an old, deleted post about the circumstances around finding it here. Suffice to say it turned out to be a popular location for many filmmakers throughout the 1970s and every so often I add another film to this growing list.
When I first located this place the adjacent hillocks were fairly overgrown and it was difficult to get a decent vantage point, however, the village has since built a pavilion and a small access path on the northernmost hillock. Reminder: This pavilion only provides an overlook to the general filming area, it is not the location itself. The filming location is still too overgrown to access or even see properly. There is a small lane from Ho Sheung Road that goes up to the pavilion. It's located just past the archway that marks the entrance to the village.
Bottom of the lane
The view from this hill is one I have shown you before, but that was before the pavilion was built. Looking north you can see the familiar shape of Crest Hill (Tai Shek Mo), although the last few years have seen a fair bit of development work for a new reservoir linked to the Northern Metropolis.
Looking north to Crest Hill (Tai Shek Mo)
Looking west towards the "Northern Metropolis" carbuncle under construction
Looking south towards the filming location (centre left)
Looking north to Crest Hill (Tai Shek Mo)
Looking west towards the "Northern Metropolis" carbuncle under construction
Looking south towards the filming location (centre left)
Getting There:
Catch the East Rail line all the way to Sheung Shui and head to the bus terminus via Exit D between the station and the Landmark mall. You need to catch the 51K green minibus to Ho Sheung Heung. There are actually two buses and two stops. One route terminates in the village, the other carries on to the prison. You can catch either but the prison one is about a dollar more expensive. Alight in the village square and from here you can walk back along Ho Sheung Heung Road and try to find a way up into the area behind the village.
- Woodland Crest
This is the name of the residential development that now stand on the sandy location where the finale of Way of the Dragon was filmed. The area had a small hillock with a famous local restaurant atop called "Twin Dragon City". Interestingly, this restaurant was owned by Benton Cheung aka Alexander Fu Sheng's father. However, the hill was removed and Woodland Crest now sits where it stood and much of the outer gardens of the development (where the tennis courts are) occupy the sandy area where the filming took place. I did an aerial comparison for context in this post.
For the location hunter, you can still recognise some of the surrounding area, but setting foot on the actual spot will involve climbiong a spiked fence with security guards and trespassing on private property, so I don't recommend it. If you have a copy of John Little's Tracking the Dragon documentary, you'll see a much younger version of me being interviewed, with my screaming kids in tow, in this area. Yes, I think he was so desperate for new footage for the updated doc that he reluctantly decided to include that footage despite the noise and chaos.
Getting There:
Take the East Rail line to Sheung Shui and Woodland Crest is about a 10/15 minute walk from the station. Follow Lung Wan Road that runs along the south side of the bus terminus and cross at the main junction into Lung Sum Avenue. Cross the next junction with Tin Ping Road and Woodland Crest is a few metres past the junction.
5. Fanling
- Fanling Station
It has been developed beyond recognition, but old family photos of the Lee family show them taking trips to Fanling and posing under the station's old signpost. I believe some of these photos first appeared in the Memories of the Dragon books by the Lee siblings, but I don't own these books so can't confirm.
The sign you see below was typical of all the old KCR train station signs - you can still see a similar one at the Hong Kong Railway Museum based in the former Tai Po Market Railway Station - and this particular one was located at the far north end of the old Fanling station platform. Luckily for us, the area where the sign was located is now part of the "Fanling Station Sitting-out Area" located just outside the east side exit. So you can get quite close to where Bruce was standing, even after all these years and changes.
Entrance to the Rest Garden
Approximate area of where the sign used to stand
Getting There:
Take the East Rail MTR line to Fanling station. If you are arriving from Sheung Shui, you can walk to the north end of the platform and leave via exit C. The small garden is right next to this exit. However, if you are arriving from the south (Tai Po direction) then you'll have to walk up and over to Exit A, turn left down the steps and walk straight ahead alongside the station. The left side of the public bathroom is where this sign used to be located and is about as close as you can get to where Bruce was standing. Obviously, it's not recommended that you linger outside the toilets for too long...
- Fung Yin Sin Koon
The temple across the highway from Fanling Station is called Fung Yin Sin Koon and is one of the NT's large Taoist temple complexes that provide worship, burial, and community facilities to the faithful. The columbarium facilities here also contain the ashes of Alexander Fu Sheng in case you are curious. There are some old photos of Bruce standing inside the altar of one of the older buildings, but much of the temple has been rebuilt and expanded over the years.
Bruce's clothes in the images below make me think that these images were taken on the same day as the Fanling Station one above. It makes sense given the proximity of Fung Ying Sin Koon. Sadly, I don't believe any of the current buildings in the temple complex were around at the time of Bruce's visit. I believe there was a fire sometime in the 80s that put paid to some of the original buildings, but this is only hearsay. However, looking at the old aerial images, the place was fairly barebones when Bruce visited. The oldest structures on the site today only date back to the early 70s, at the earliest.
The closest you will get to Bruce currently is on the upper terrace. This is where Bruce was snapped doing a kick (see below). The terrace now contains an ornamental archway and pavilion, but for a long time was just an open piece of ground, as you can see.
The old temple upper terrace, looking south
Bruce inside one of the old shrine buildings.
Some artifacts (possibly facsimiles) in this image can be seen in the "Wing See Hall"
I did make an effort to visit recently but the top terrace was closed for repairs. You may have better luck on your trip, but here are some images from back in 2008 so you can see what that area now looks like.
It has been developed beyond recognition, but old family photos of the Lee family show them taking trips to Fanling and posing under the station's old signpost. I believe some of these photos first appeared in the Memories of the Dragon books by the Lee siblings, but I don't own these books so can't confirm.
The sign you see below was typical of all the old KCR train station signs - you can still see a similar one at the Hong Kong Railway Museum based in the former Tai Po Market Railway Station - and this particular one was located at the far north end of the old Fanling station platform. Luckily for us, the area where the sign was located is now part of the "Fanling Station Sitting-out Area" located just outside the east side exit. So you can get quite close to where Bruce was standing, even after all these years and changes.
Bruce with his aunt at Fanling Station
Entrance to the Rest Garden
Approximate area of where the sign used to stand
Getting There:
Take the East Rail MTR line to Fanling station. If you are arriving from Sheung Shui, you can walk to the north end of the platform and leave via exit C. The small garden is right next to this exit. However, if you are arriving from the south (Tai Po direction) then you'll have to walk up and over to Exit A, turn left down the steps and walk straight ahead alongside the station. The left side of the public bathroom is where this sign used to be located and is about as close as you can get to where Bruce was standing. Obviously, it's not recommended that you linger outside the toilets for too long...
- Fung Yin Sin Koon
The temple across the highway from Fanling Station is called Fung Yin Sin Koon and is one of the NT's large Taoist temple complexes that provide worship, burial, and community facilities to the faithful. The columbarium facilities here also contain the ashes of Alexander Fu Sheng in case you are curious. There are some old photos of Bruce standing inside the altar of one of the older buildings, but much of the temple has been rebuilt and expanded over the years.
Bruce's clothes in the images below make me think that these images were taken on the same day as the Fanling Station one above. It makes sense given the proximity of Fung Ying Sin Koon. Sadly, I don't believe any of the current buildings in the temple complex were around at the time of Bruce's visit. I believe there was a fire sometime in the 80s that put paid to some of the original buildings, but this is only hearsay. However, looking at the old aerial images, the place was fairly barebones when Bruce visited. The oldest structures on the site today only date back to the early 70s, at the earliest.
The closest you will get to Bruce currently is on the upper terrace. This is where Bruce was snapped doing a kick (see below). The terrace now contains an ornamental archway and pavilion, but for a long time was just an open piece of ground, as you can see.
The old temple upper terrace, looking south
Bruce inside one of the old shrine buildings.
Some artifacts (possibly facsimiles) in this image can be seen in the "Wing See Hall"
I did make an effort to visit recently but the top terrace was closed for repairs. You may have better luck on your trip, but here are some images from back in 2008 so you can see what that area now looks like.
Getting There:
Fung Ying Sin Koon is very easy to find because it is located directly opposite Fanling Station on the opposite side of the Fanling Highway. Exit B leads to a pedestrian bridge that allows you to cross the highway, followed by a subway that goes under Pak Wo Road. The temple itself is free to enter and is even on the HK Tourism Board website, so there is no need to feel as though you shouldn't be there despite it containing so many urn niches.
- Yip Man's Grave
Not too far from Fung Ying Sin Koon is Wu Tip Shan Village and the location of Yip Man's grave. It's hidden away amongst the trees but actually finding it is not that hard because it is signposted in a couple of places. In fact, it is such common knowledge now that it is even marked on Google maps! I have just recently reposted an old guide to finding Yip Man's grave - copied over from my old deleted history/exploration blog, so you can read it here, but I think in the days of online maps etc the information is now fairly redundant.
Yip Man's grave portrait
Getting There:
Access to Yip Man's grave starts on the south (left side if you are facing it) side of Fung Ying Sin Koon. I provided a description of the route to take in my separate Yip Man post, so just go there for the directions if needed.
6. Tai Po
- former site of Tai Po Kau Station
This one is a little more difficult to get to because the site was closed following the electrification of the KCR railway in 1983 and the station here subsequently demolished and turned into accommodation for the, then, KCR workers (now MTR) called Trackside Villas. Why is it Bruce related? As you may have gathered from some of my old movie locations, Tai Po Station, as it was then called, featured in one of Bruce's childhood films, An Orphan's Tragedy, filmed in 1955. The movie features a scene where the young Frank (Bruce) is sent away to school and is waved off from Tai Po Station platform by his family and friends, only to return a few minutes later as a fully grown man played by Cheung Wood-yau (Chor Yuen's real-life father, in case you didn't know).
Source: HK Govt
The station was later renamed to Tai Po Kau Station (in 1966?) and was a key link to getting people from the more remote locations around Tolo Harbour into town via ferry to the adjacent pier. The pier is still around, although much diminished in size thanks to the construction of the Tolo Highway, and the cycle track that runs along the waterfront here is a great way to visit this site because there is a subway under the highway that pops out where the station used to be. Sadly there isn't much to see other than one of the old platform walls and lots of security fences to prevent you from accessing the railtrack.
Subway/underpass from the waterfront
East side of the railtrack
West side of the track within Trackside Villas
Getting there:
6. Tai Po
- former site of Tai Po Kau Station
This one is a little more difficult to get to because the site was closed following the electrification of the KCR railway in 1983 and the station here subsequently demolished and turned into accommodation for the, then, KCR workers (now MTR) called Trackside Villas. Why is it Bruce related? As you may have gathered from some of my old movie locations, Tai Po Station, as it was then called, featured in one of Bruce's childhood films, An Orphan's Tragedy, filmed in 1955. The movie features a scene where the young Frank (Bruce) is sent away to school and is waved off from Tai Po Station platform by his family and friends, only to return a few minutes later as a fully grown man played by Cheung Wood-yau (Chor Yuen's real-life father, in case you didn't know).
Source: HK Govt
The station was later renamed to Tai Po Kau Station (in 1966?) and was a key link to getting people from the more remote locations around Tolo Harbour into town via ferry to the adjacent pier. The pier is still around, although much diminished in size thanks to the construction of the Tolo Highway, and the cycle track that runs along the waterfront here is a great way to visit this site because there is a subway under the highway that pops out where the station used to be. Sadly there isn't much to see other than one of the old platform walls and lots of security fences to prevent you from accessing the railtrack.
Screen captures from An Orphan's Tragedy (1955)
Subway/underpass from the waterfront
East side of the railtrack
West side of the track within Trackside Villas
It's probably easier to get the East Rail line to Tai Po Market and then find your way onto the waterfront bike path and walk for about 15 - 20 mins. You'll know when you reach the subway to the track because it is directly opposite the pier.
7. Shatin
- Yucca de Lac
- Yucca de Lac
Yucca de Lac was a popular outdoor dining venue located on Tai Po Road just opposite the Chinese University of Hong Kong. It has been featured in films, both local and foreign, many times over the years and was supposedly a bit of a magnet for the rich and famous. I've even covered a few films that have been shot there on my own posts (I'm sure the linked list will grow in time).
Bruce had his photo taken there sometime back in the 1950s, sitting on the railing with the view over the undeveloped Tolo Harbour in the background.
Sadly, the place closed in 2006. The land was sold to a developer and turned into a row of luxury townhouses called "The Yucca", so the closest you will get now (unless you have a few hundred million HK$ to splash out on a house) is the bottom of the driveway on Tai Po Road.
Yucca de Lac in its heyday
Bruce chilling on the railings at Yucca de Lac
Getting there:
The best way to get to this location is to head either in to Shatin, or to Tai Po and catch the 28K green minibus. This is a route that runs between the two towns via Tai Po Road, which is why is doesn't matter which end you catch it from. In Shatin it runs from the road by Shatin City Hall and in Tai Po you can catch it from outside the train station. Wherever you catch it the stop you want is Chung Chi College by the CUHK campus. Also, it's a looping route so make sure if you are in Shatin it says "Taipo" on the front and if you are catching it in Taipo, make sure it says Shatin on the front. Common sense really but sometimes people might accidentally catch it from the wrong side of the road.
- Lung Wah Hotel
.jpg)
Source: Tripadvisor.com
.jpg)
Source: Tripadvisor.com
The Lung Wah Hotel was established back in the early 1950s as a hotel/eatery that specialised in pigeon and squab. The hotel part of the venue no longer operates but the restaurant does still serve food as far as I am aware (as of 2026). I've been here twice in my whole time of living in Hong Kong, and the last time was more than ten years ago so I can't comment about the current state of the food (it was disappointing when I last went). For quite some time the proprieters claimed that Bruce stayed here when he was filming The Big Boss. I don't read Steve Kerridge books (because they're too expensive for me!) so I have no idea if this is true, but I do know that it was somewhere Bruce used to go with his family when he was younger. When Hong Kong celebrated the 40th anniversary of Bruce's death back in 2013, Nancy Sit, a famous actress and childhood friend of the Lee family, recounted some personal anecdotes about going to Lung Wah with Bruce and his family.
With regards to The Big Boss rumours, I personally believe that this was a case of mistaken identity as the colour scheme of the restaurant was red with white trim - very similar to the paint scheme used for some of the buildings at Wader Studios. It's not beyond the realms of possibility that someone saw the images of Bruce relaxing between takes at Wader and confused the colour scheme with the hotel and thus a myth was born. But who knows? If you have any info, please feel free to comment below.
Paul Li did relate a story to me about Bruce going here after he became famous. He was visiting the restaurant with some friends and they parked their car in the carpark on the other side of the train track at the bottom of the village (the carpark disppeared when the highway was constructed). Whilst at the car they were approached by two men who tried to extort money from them for the safety of the car and Bruce, after a bit of back and forth between them all, quickly dispatched both men and sent them on their way. Paul related this incident to John Little for his "Real Fights" book but it seems it didn't make the cut.
Getting There:
Exit Shatin East Rail station via exit B and immediately turn left and walk towards the ramp that leads down into Pai Tau Street. At the bottom of the ramp, instead of turning left and heading towards IKEA, you can simply carry on straight, over the minibus terminus and follow Pai Tau Street until it goes into Sheung Wo Che village. Keep in a straight line for a hundred or so metres and the Lung Wah Hotel is located on the left hand side. It's red decor make it quite unmissable.
Exit Shatin East Rail station via exit B and immediately turn left and walk towards the ramp that leads down into Pai Tau Street. At the bottom of the ramp, instead of turning left and heading towards IKEA, you can simply carry on straight, over the minibus terminus and follow Pai Tau Street until it goes into Sheung Wo Che village. Keep in a straight line for a hundred or so metres and the Lung Wah Hotel is located on the left hand side. It's red decor make it quite unmissable.
- Sai Lam Monastery
Sai Lam (West Forest - 西林) Monastery is located not far from Lung Wah and has been located here in Shatin since the early 1920s. Originally a proper place of worship, it was bought by an investor in 2006, refurbished and turned into an illegal columbarium business. I have no idea if it ever became legitimate. Rumours are that Bruce used to go here when he was in Shatin and do some impromptu training.
Getting There:
Follow the same directions for Lung Wah Hotel, but just before you get to Sheung Wo Che village, the road splits off to the left and goes up to the front archway of the monastery.
- 10000 Buddha Temple
In a similar vein to the rumours behind Sai Lam Monastery, Bruce is supposed to have used the steps up to 10000 Buddha Monastery as a training tool. Anyone who has made the journey up to the 10K buddhas will attest that it is quite the feat considering the number of steps you need to climb. The temple complex was opened in 1949 and is probably one of Shatin's most famous and busy tourist spots. As a result it also became a prime spot for fake monks to beg for money at the bottom of the steps. Ignore these pesky people if they are still there and just pace yourself for the rather gruelling climb of several hundred steps. It was a much more humble looking place in Bruce's time, consisting of the main temple building, pagoda and a variety of statues around the terrace. The golden Arhans (or whatever they are called) are a relatively recent addition and some of the original statuary has been replaced.
If you come here you also tick off your Infernal Affairs filming locations checklist as well.
Infernal Affairs (2002)
Getting There:
Take the same ramp down from Shatin station but this time turn left at the bottom and walk toward Grand Central Plaza where IKEA is located. Instead of going into the plaza, go past it to the left and towards another office building at the far end of the street. This is the local Govt offices and the steps to 10K temple is located behind that office building. You'll know when you're there because you will see the golden arhans lining the steps. These weren't here when I made my very first visit in 1995 and were added sometime in the late 1990s / early 2000s just in time for the opening scenes of Infernal Affairs to be filmed.
- Tao Fung Shan
- Tao Fung Shan
In Chaplin Chang's interview book - a project spawned from Robert Clouse's interviews for his book "The Making of Enter the Dragon" - they interviewed Robert Chan. Chan was first introduced to Bruce when he dated one of Bruce's sisters and then went on to act as one of the waiters in Way of the Dragon. In his 1987 interview, Chan stated that Bruce used to go up to Tao Fung Shan to collect fighting spiders (thiania subopressa). He used to keep them in a bamboo tube and let them fight. Tao Fung Shan, despite its appearance, is a Christian seminary set up by a Norwegian missionary in the 1930s. If you haven't been there, its Chinese style architecture has made it a popular filming location over the years.
Luckily, on my deep trawl of the interwebs, I have found an image of Bruce actually standing on the Tao Fung Shan hillside. Maybe he is grinning because he has just snared some mighty fighting spiders? In the background of the image is the pagoda of the 10000 Buddha Monastery.
Bruce at Tao Fung Shan with 10000 Buddha Temple in the background
The place actually does its own guided tours so feel free to sign up. Website: https://www.tfscc.org/en/map/
Getting there:
Regardless of how you get to Tai Wai (it's now on the East Rail AND Tuen Ma Lines) the only way to get up to Tao Fung Shan is to walk or catch a cab. As far as I know there is no public light bus that goes up here. Exit Tai Wai station (exit A) onto Tsuen Nam Road and cross over to Tai Wai Road. Walk all the way to the end of the road and cross to the opposite side of the main road, under the highway flyovers, via afew pedestrian crossings. Once on the other side, turn right and follow the main road, crossing over the nullah, and keep going along Chung Lin Road until you see the turn off for Tao Fung Shan Road. It's an uphill climb but the institute is at the top nand is worth a visit.
- Heritage Museum
Since 2013, the Hong Kong Heritage Museum has hosted a Bruce Lee exhibition featuring (largely replica) artifacts from his life in Hong Kong. The exhibition is on its third iteration and, having been back a few months ago after a gap of about ten years, I have to say the current exhibit is the weakest. Most of the stuff on display is a copy and although some of it is interesting, it feels like much of the good stuff has already disappeared. Definitely the best time to see the exhibit was when American superfan, Jeff Chinn, loaned some of his vast collection to the museum and turned up in person for several weeks to give personal guided tours. Sadly, Jeff's stuff has been returned to the US and what's left is bare bones stuff. When I went they had even stopped broadcast of the popular documentary that could only be seen at the exhibition, but after talking with a visiting friend recently, it looks like this has been restored and can be seen once again. Despite the general thinness of the current exhibit, it's still worth a visit if only to get your photo taken in front of the huge Bruce statue out front and pick up some Lee-related paraphernalia from the museum gift shop. I do have my own image of the statue below but none without the kids in, so here's one from the interwebs.
Source: Tripadvisor.com
Getting there:
The museum lies pretty much equidistant between Tai Wai and Shatin MTR stations - in fact since the Tuen Ma MTR line opened (the former West Rail line) Che Kung Temple Station is just across the river channel. I would get off at Tai Wai and walk though because then at least you can also visit the following location on the way.
- KCR bridge crossing in Tai Wai
Luckily, on my deep trawl of the interwebs, I have found an image of Bruce actually standing on the Tao Fung Shan hillside. Maybe he is grinning because he has just snared some mighty fighting spiders? In the background of the image is the pagoda of the 10000 Buddha Monastery.
Bruce at Tao Fung Shan with 10000 Buddha Temple in the background
The place actually does its own guided tours so feel free to sign up. Website: https://www.tfscc.org/en/map/
Getting there:
Regardless of how you get to Tai Wai (it's now on the East Rail AND Tuen Ma Lines) the only way to get up to Tao Fung Shan is to walk or catch a cab. As far as I know there is no public light bus that goes up here. Exit Tai Wai station (exit A) onto Tsuen Nam Road and cross over to Tai Wai Road. Walk all the way to the end of the road and cross to the opposite side of the main road, under the highway flyovers, via afew pedestrian crossings. Once on the other side, turn right and follow the main road, crossing over the nullah, and keep going along Chung Lin Road until you see the turn off for Tao Fung Shan Road. It's an uphill climb but the institute is at the top nand is worth a visit.
- Heritage Museum
Since 2013, the Hong Kong Heritage Museum has hosted a Bruce Lee exhibition featuring (largely replica) artifacts from his life in Hong Kong. The exhibition is on its third iteration and, having been back a few months ago after a gap of about ten years, I have to say the current exhibit is the weakest. Most of the stuff on display is a copy and although some of it is interesting, it feels like much of the good stuff has already disappeared. Definitely the best time to see the exhibit was when American superfan, Jeff Chinn, loaned some of his vast collection to the museum and turned up in person for several weeks to give personal guided tours. Sadly, Jeff's stuff has been returned to the US and what's left is bare bones stuff. When I went they had even stopped broadcast of the popular documentary that could only be seen at the exhibition, but after talking with a visiting friend recently, it looks like this has been restored and can be seen once again. Despite the general thinness of the current exhibit, it's still worth a visit if only to get your photo taken in front of the huge Bruce statue out front and pick up some Lee-related paraphernalia from the museum gift shop. I do have my own image of the statue below but none without the kids in, so here's one from the interwebs.
Source: Tripadvisor.com
Getting there:
The museum lies pretty much equidistant between Tai Wai and Shatin MTR stations - in fact since the Tuen Ma MTR line opened (the former West Rail line) Che Kung Temple Station is just across the river channel. I would get off at Tai Wai and walk though because then at least you can also visit the following location on the way.
- KCR bridge crossing in Tai Wai
Although it has changed a bit, the Shing Mun River crossing in Tai Wai is at the same location it has always been at. This has a Bruce connection because the bridge was used to film some scenes from one of Bruce's early childhood films, My Son A-Chang (aka The Kid) filmed in 1950.
There are a few more shots of this scene on this post from afew years ago.
Getting there:
Take the train to Tai Wai station and leave via Exit A. Turn right and follow the road to the nullah. You can see the railway bridge right there. It's obviously not the same structure that used to be there but it is basically in the same place it has always been. If you're heading to the museum just cross over the nullah on the bridge and keep walking in a straight line. The museum is another 5 minute walk.
8. Sai Kung
- Lung Mei
One of the most well-known locations in Sai Kung is the area where Bruce and company were snapped and filmed rehearsing for what was supposed to become The Game of Death. It seems that a lot of fans knew this was somewhere in Sai Kung thanks to the distinctive ridgeline in the background of many of the images, however, the precise location seems to have eluded most people.
Bruce with Yuen Wah, Lam Ching-ying, Wu Ngan and Billy Chan
Source: https://bruceleelives.co.uk/warrior.html
The area where much of this went on was the open ground in front of Lung Mei Village. Sadly, open, flat ground was rife for redevelopment in the subsequent years and a small village house development called "Jade Villa" was built on the site, so other than the relatively unchanged distant background, getting to this site is not necessarily worth it.
Getting there:
If you are in Sai Kung though and fancy an excursion then the way to get here is to walk out of Sai Kung town centre along Tai Mong Tsai Road. You need to find the entrance to Chuk Yeung Road and walk uphill past Sea View Villa (sidenote: this development contains the swimming pool that Brigitte Lin leaps into whilst escaping from the roof of a neighbouring house in Police Story). Follow the road until it branches to the left next to the Hong Kong Shumei Church building and Jade Villa is a short walk down there on the left hand side. It's a private estate so don't be surprised if the main gate is closed. You can always walk further long to the second entrance and follow the road back.
- Pak Tam Chung
One of my other major "discoveries" in the years I have been doing this was to locate the outdoor filming location for Fist of the Unicorn/Unicorn Palm/Bruce Lee and I. This one even made the local papers though, largely because the journalist who wrote the article was a Sai Kung resident who had read afew of my old blog posts. I shall probably unearth it from my archives and repost at some point.
Getting there:
Take the train to Tai Wai station and leave via Exit A. Turn right and follow the road to the nullah. You can see the railway bridge right there. It's obviously not the same structure that used to be there but it is basically in the same place it has always been. If you're heading to the museum just cross over the nullah on the bridge and keep walking in a straight line. The museum is another 5 minute walk.
8. Sai Kung
- Lung Mei
One of the most well-known locations in Sai Kung is the area where Bruce and company were snapped and filmed rehearsing for what was supposed to become The Game of Death. It seems that a lot of fans knew this was somewhere in Sai Kung thanks to the distinctive ridgeline in the background of many of the images, however, the precise location seems to have eluded most people.
Bruce with Yuen Wah, Lam Ching-ying, Wu Ngan and Billy Chan
Source: https://bruceleelives.co.uk/warrior.html
The area where much of this went on was the open ground in front of Lung Mei Village. Sadly, open, flat ground was rife for redevelopment in the subsequent years and a small village house development called "Jade Villa" was built on the site, so other than the relatively unchanged distant background, getting to this site is not necessarily worth it.
Getting there:
If you are in Sai Kung though and fancy an excursion then the way to get here is to walk out of Sai Kung town centre along Tai Mong Tsai Road. You need to find the entrance to Chuk Yeung Road and walk uphill past Sea View Villa (sidenote: this development contains the swimming pool that Brigitte Lin leaps into whilst escaping from the roof of a neighbouring house in Police Story). Follow the road until it branches to the left next to the Hong Kong Shumei Church building and Jade Villa is a short walk down there on the left hand side. It's a private estate so don't be surprised if the main gate is closed. You can always walk further long to the second entrance and follow the road back.
- Pak Tam Chung
One of my other major "discoveries" in the years I have been doing this was to locate the outdoor filming location for Fist of the Unicorn/Unicorn Palm/Bruce Lee and I. This one even made the local papers though, largely because the journalist who wrote the article was a Sai Kung resident who had read afew of my old blog posts. I shall probably unearth it from my archives and repost at some point.
For those who don't know, or are new to the Bruce Lee fandom arena, Bruce was involved in the choreography for Unicorn Chan's first starring role, Fist of the Unicorn, through an obligation to Unicorn for the latter helping put him in touch with movie companies when Bruce came to HK looking for a decent movie contract. It seems that Unicorn, an accomplished stuntman and acrobat but thoroughly uncharismatic otherwise, was offered the chance of a lifetime - a starring role - as long as he could get his mate Bruce involved.
Bruce agreed to assist with the film's choreography but was secretly filmed putting the actors through their paces and when the film was released, found himself with top billing. The ploy was a cynical one to piggy back off Bruce's fame and it's unclear just how much Unicorn knew about it. Either way it led to Bruce suing the film company (Star Sea Motion Pictures), a case which was unresolved at the time of his death. Even today the film is marketed as a Lee movie.
Identifying the location where Bruce was filmed was helped largely by the large white-painted bridge seen at the beginning of the movie. It turns out this was the Fuk Hing Bridge (yes, it really is called that) in Pak Tam Chung and much of the first part of the film was shot in and around here and the nearby house. Sadly, the old house where Mang Hoi's family live was demolished a few years ago following a storm that destroyed some of the roof, and the area around the house, now taken up by a large swimming pool, is more or less where Bruce was filmed.
Getting there:
Getting to Pak Tam Chung means catching a minibus from Sai Kung Town, or the number #96R/94 from Diamond Hill MTR station. One of the buses goes all the way to Wong Shek Pier which is another 20 minutes inside the country park, but both stop at the bus stop outside the park entrance. Once there, walk past the gates and about 100 metres in on the right hand side you will see the aforementioned Fuk Hing Bridge. Cross here to reach the site where Bruce was filmed.
- Shaw's Movietown
Bruce outside Shaw House
Bruce made several high profile trips to the old Shaw's Movietown and there are lots of images of him with a variety of Shaw stars during filming of several now well-known productions such as Blood Brothers, The Lizard, and The Fugitive.
Sadly, as most people who read this blog will already know, the old Movietown complex is no more and has largely been demolished - save for a few buildings - to make way for a housing estate. My understanding is that the company who bought the land were actually trying to sell it again because their plans didn't conform to the heritage requirements that the HK Govt had placed on the development. This information is a few years old though, so it could easily have changed by now. Buildings such as one of the old sound stages, Shaw House (see image above) and several other outbuildings including the former dormitories and film processing building, were still standing though as are the famous yellow front gates. Just be aware that accessing the site is restricted and trespassing is not recommended or condoned.
Getting there:
The best way to get here is to catch the 101M green minibus from Hang Hau MTR or the 91/91M from Diamond Hill MTR Station.
Anyway, until I find some more things to include that is your lot. I hope you find it interesting/helpful and feel free to give me feedback for improvement. My disclaimer is that my Bruce Lee lore is not necessarily the most informed (I can't afford Steve Kerridge's books) so feel free to let me know of any errors.
Don't forget, you can also partake in the urban walks I have created by following the links below.
The Bruce Lee Guide to Tsim Sha Tsui
The Bruce Lee Guide to Yau Ma Tei
The Bruce Lee Guide to the Rest of Kowloon Pt.1Sadly, as most people who read this blog will already know, the old Movietown complex is no more and has largely been demolished - save for a few buildings - to make way for a housing estate. My understanding is that the company who bought the land were actually trying to sell it again because their plans didn't conform to the heritage requirements that the HK Govt had placed on the development. This information is a few years old though, so it could easily have changed by now. Buildings such as one of the old sound stages, Shaw House (see image above) and several other outbuildings including the former dormitories and film processing building, were still standing though as are the famous yellow front gates. Just be aware that accessing the site is restricted and trespassing is not recommended or condoned.
Getting there:
The best way to get here is to catch the 101M green minibus from Hang Hau MTR or the 91/91M from Diamond Hill MTR Station.
Anyway, until I find some more things to include that is your lot. I hope you find it interesting/helpful and feel free to give me feedback for improvement. My disclaimer is that my Bruce Lee lore is not necessarily the most informed (I can't afford Steve Kerridge's books) so feel free to let me know of any errors.
Don't forget, you can also partake in the urban walks I have created by following the links below.
The Bruce Lee Guide to Tsim Sha Tsui
The Bruce Lee Guide to Yau Ma Tei
The Bruce Lee Guide to the Rest of Kowloon Pt.2
The Bruce Lee Guide to the Rest of Kowloon Pt.3
No comments:
Post a Comment