FOUR FILM LOCATIONS FEATURED IN ENTER THE DRAGON (25TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION)

In 1973, Warner Bros. released a fantastic film about three men who enter a martial arts tournament hosted by an evil crime lord. Entitled, 'Enter the Dragon', the film was directed by Robert Clouse and stars Bruce Lee, John Saxon, Jim Kelly, and Shih Kien. Today, we're going to take a look at some of the locations featured in the aforementioned film, which includes an interactive map for each one. Please enjoy.

Ching Chung Koon, 8 Tsing Chung Path, Tuen Mun, Hong Kong
(Shaolin Temple)

When the film begins, we're introduced to a martial artist named Lee (as played by Bruce Lee), while he's sparring against an opponent (as played by Sammo Hung) on the grounds of a Shaolin temple. Not so long after he wins his fight, Lee is approached by two men, a Shaolin Abbott and then a British intelligence agent called Braithwaite (as played by Roy Chiao and Geoffrey Weeks respectively), who both tell him about the same person, a corrupt martial artist known as Han (as played by Shih Kien), who was once a student at the Shaolin temple. In real life, these scenes were filmed at two different locations. The fight scene took place on the grounds of Ching Chung Koon in Tuen Mun, Hong Kong, which is a Taoist temple first built in 1960 that's now a sanctuary of serenity, whereas the following scenes took place a few miles away at Tsing Shan Monastery, which was founded in 400 AD by the Buddhist monk, Pui To, who allegedly crossed the sea in a wooden cup.

Aberdeen Harbour, Hong Kong
(Aberdeen Harbour)

According to Braithwaite, Han is a suspected crime lord who will be hosting a martial arts tournament on his own private island. A tournament Braithwaite wants Lee to enter because it would allow him to explore the island and find out about Han's dubious activities. Upon hearing this, Lee cautiously agrees to Braithwaite's request, and at the appropriate time, he boards a large wooden junk that takes him, along with many other martial artists, including the bold businessman, Roper, and the cool cat, Williams (as played by John Saxon and Jim Kelly respectively), to Han's island. Most of the scenes depicting Lee's journey to Han's island were filmed at Hong Kong's famous Aberdeen Harbour, which is located between the town of Aberdeen and the island of Ap Lei Chau. Historically, it's one of the most important fishing ports in Hong Kong and is now known as a tourist area that's populated with a mixture of houseboats, fishing boats, and floating restaurants.

Palm Villa, 85 Repulse Bay Road, Repulse Bay, Hong Kong
(Han's Island)

Soon enough, Lee, Roper, and Williams arrive at Han's island and begin competing in his tournament. Well, except for Lee, because even though he does compete in at least one match, fighting against a scarred opponent called O'Hara (as played by Bob Wall), he also prowls the grounds by night, searching for evidence that can convict Han of his crimes. In reality, Han's island partly consists of three different locations: Palm Villa (now closed), which once housed tennis courts that were adapted into an arena for Han's tournament; Tai Tam Bay, which was the place where the contestants arrived; and King Yin Lei, which doubled for the exterior of Han's palace.

Golden Harvest Studios, 8 King Tung Street, Hammer Hill, Hong Kong
(Underground Base)

Using his amazing abilities, Lee soon manages to discover an underground base hidden on Han's island that's crawling with a large group of people manufacturing illegal drugs for him. However, upon his second visit there, Lee is captured and ultimately compelled to confront Han in a one-on-one battle. For technical reasons, the underground base and numerous other internal locations featured in the film, such as the final fight in the hall of mirrors between Lee and Han, were shot inside the legendary Golden Harvest Studios (now called Orange Sky Golden Harvest and located elsewhere). Some of the other films also said to have been shot inside the aforementioned studio include 'Police Story' (1985), 'A Better Tomorrow' (1986), and 'Once Upon a Time in China' (1991).

So, there you have it, folks, four film locations featured in the 1973 classic, 'Enter the Dragon'. More articles featuring famous film locations will be coming soon, but before then, please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section below.