The Asia-Pacific’s best movie set locations

THE Asia-Pacific region is no stranger to the silver screen. Thanks to its bustling cities, futuristic architecture and incredible landscapes it’s served as the backdrop to major feature films such as The Lord of the Rings, Entrapment and Memoirs of a Geisha. While local films are also a burgeoning industry in many of these countries, here are some of the movie sets you might recognise from English language films.

It’s hard to go past Peter Jackson’s two trilogies for movie locations in New Zealand. The Hobbit (the third instalment of which comes out later this year) and Lord of the Rings used the superb mountains, lakes, hills, vales, dales and rivers of both the north and south island. While it’s hard to pull out just one of these superb locations, probably the most famous set is Hobbiton in Matamata south of Auckland which has now been permanently established as a tourist attraction complete with real hobbit holes. Fans of the movies can have beef and ale pie at The Green Dragon Inn or head to the Shire Store for other products.

Matamata. Pic: Hobbitontours.com

You might well ask what or where, but Silverton is quite possibly Australia’s most famous movie town. Located near Broken Hill in New South Wales it’s wonderful colourful landscapes and beautiful old buildings have appeared in more than 140 commercials, as well as films such as Mission Impossible II, Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Mad Max II and The Long Way Home. It’s appeared in commercials for Coca Cola, Panasonic, LandRover, Telstra, Gatorade and MasterCard. Indeed there are plenty relics from the films around with a Mad Max V8 parked outside the pub and plenty of memorabilia inside. Today the town is home to just 50 people including several artists running museums and galleries who are obviously inspired by the incredible surrounds.

The Mad Max V8 outside the Silverton Hotel. Pic: Joanne Lane, www.visitedplanet.com

The world famous Petronas Towers make for an excellent, futuristic style movie set backdrop. And in the final heist scenes in the movie Entrapment about the work of art thieves, starring Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta Jones, they take centre stage with shots of the 451m high twin skyscrapers from above and below, or of the pair dangling precariously from parts of them.

Entrapment movie poster featuring the Petronas Towers.

Beautiful, historic Kyoto is the mesmerising backdrop to Memoirs of a Geisha. One of the most beautiful scenes in the movie is when the young Sayuri runs through the Fushimiri-Imari gates after meeting The Chairman (see the scene at this link). Thousands of torrii lead to the inner shrine and are brilliant orange in colour and closely spaced so they are like being inside a tunnel. The gates are actually donated by individuals and companies and their details are inscribed on each gate.

Pic: japan-guide.com

Fancy a little Angelina Jolie with your ancient ruins? The dramatic Ta Prohm complex, half claimed by the jungle, is the scenic backdrop where Angelina and the team from the 2001 Lara Croft filmed a scene of her being sucked beneath the earth and fighting off a six-armed guardian statue. The scene is so well known locally its often called the Angelina Jolie Temple. Whether you’re a Jolie fan or not, atmospheric Ta Prohm should be on your Angkor itinerary. See the scene shot at Ta Prohm here.

A still from the Tomb Raider scene.

Agoda

By Tey-Marie Astudillo WITH its beautiful backdrop of luscious mountains, aqua blue water beaches and vibrant city lights, Malaysia is an ideal location for any director wanting to take advantage of the already perfect sets that naturally exist. The country offers a multitude of sights that would capture the attention of any audience. And if…>

THE premiere of The Hobbit was held in Wellington on November 28, giving audiences in some parts of the world at least, the chance to see the fantastic scenery used in the film. Given the scenery was the reason so many people fell in love with the Lord of the Rings trilogy, here are some…>

Villa Kiara Boutique Hotel

Urban Boutique Hotel

Siem Reap, , Cambodia

Deal USD $ 125 per night

Barefoot Sakau Lodge

River Guesthouse

Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia

Deal USD $ 75 per night

The Peninsula

Urban, Luxury

Bangkok, , Thailand

Deal USD $ 185 per night

Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit

Urban Luxury Hotel

Bangkok, , Thailand

Deal USD $ 125 per night

Shangri La Bangkok

Urban Luxury

Bangkok, , Thailand

Deal USD $ 175 per night

The Heritage House & Gardens

Boutique Resort

Chiang Mai, , Thailand

Deal USD $ $115 per night

Dream Bangkok

Boutique Hotel

Bangkok, , Thailand

Deal USD $ 84 per night

Santhiya Koh Phangan Resort & Spa

Boutique Resorts

Koh Phangan, , Thailand

Deal USD $ 184 per night

Sala Samui

Boutique Resort

Koh Samui, , Thailand

Deal USD $ 225 per night

Panviman Resort

Boutique Resort

Bantai, Koh Phangan, Thailand

Deal USD $ 275 per night

The Racha

Luxury Resort

Racha Island, , Thailand

Deal USD $ 250 per night

Lebua At State Tower

Urban Luxury Hotel

Bangkok, Bangrak, Thailand

Deal USD $ 150 per night

The Sukhothai Bangkok

Boutique Hotel

Bangkok, , Thailand

Deal USD $ 190 per night

Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort & Spa

Luxury Resort

Koh Samui, , Thailand

Deal USD $ 125 per night

Zeavola Resort

Boutique Resort

Ao Nang, Koh Phi Phi , Thailand

Deal USD $ 210 per night

Rachamankha Hotel

Boutique Hotel

Changmai, , Thailand

Deal USD $ 150 per night

LUXX

Boutique Hotel

Bangkok, , Thailand

Deal USD $ 75 per night

The Nam Hai

Luxury Villa

Hoi An, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam

Deal USD $ 550 per night

Hotel Penaga

Boutique Hotel

Georgetown, , Malaysia

Deal 150 per night

Hibiscus Villa

Luxury Villa

Kudat, Sabah, Borneo

Deal USD $ 750 per night

Sepilok Jungle Resort

Nature Resort

Sandakan, Borneo, Malaysia

Deal USD $ 10 per night

Old Penang Guesthouse

Urban Boutique Guesthouse

Penang, Georgetown, Malaysia

Deal USD $ 10 per night

Marco Polo Hotel

Urban Luxury Hotel

Davao City, , Philippines

Deal USD $ 92 per night

Pearl Farm Resort

Luxury Beach Resort & Spa

Davao, Samal, Philippines

Deal USD $ 119 per night

Bohol Beach Club

Beach Adventure Resort

panglao, Bohol, Philippines

Deal USD $ 111 per night

Eastwood Richmonde Hotel

Urban Hotel

Metro Manila, , Philippines

Deal USD $ 94 per night

Casa Leticia Boutique Hotel

Urban, Boutique

Davao City, , Philippines

Deal USD $ 67 per night

Satrisna Home

Urban Guesthouse

Tanjung Bungah, Penang, Malaysia

Deal USD $ 125 per night

Manila Hotel

Urban Hotel

Manila, , Philippines

Deal USD $ 185 per night

Dusit Thani Manila

Urban Hotel

Manila, , Philippines

Deal USD $ 140 per night

Sipadan Kapalai Dive Resort

Beach Resort

Kapali, Sipadan Island, Malaysia

Deal USD $ 1000 per night

Sukau Rainforest Lodge

Eco River Retreat

Kinabatangan River, Borneo, Malaysia

Deal USD $ 400 per night

Casa Nicaros Hotel

Urban Budget Hotel

Manila, , Philippines

Deal USD $ 50 per night

The Poseidon House

Luxury Villa

Kudat, Sabah, Malaysia

Deal USD $ 363 per night

Abaca Boutique Resort

Spa & Wellness Resort

Lapu Lapu City , Mactan Island, Philippines

Deal USD $ 340 per night

Sangria Langkawi

Luxury Beach Villa

Pantai Tengah, Langkawi, Malaysia

Deal USD $ 530 per night

Eternity Springs Art Farm

Eco Wellness Retreat

Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia

Deal USD $ 100 per night

Bali Dynasty Resort

Beach Resort

Kuta, Bali, Indonesia

Deal 132 per night

Club Bali Hawaii

Beach, Adventure

Anyer, Bali, Indonesia

Deal USD $ 90 per night

Desa Seni

Boutique Spa Resort

Canggu, Bali, Indonesia

Deal USD $ 125 per night

Alila Ubud

Boutique Retreat Resort

Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

Deal USD $ 163 per night

Long Life Hotel

Urban Budget Hotel

Hoi An, , Vietnam

Deal USD $ 28 per night

Grace Hotel Beijing

Urban Boutique Hotel

Beijing, 798 Art District, China

Deal USD $ 135 per night

Life Heritage Resort Hoi An

Urban Retreat

Hoi An, , Vietnam

Deal 131 per night

Princess D’Annam Resort & Spa

Boutique Resort

Binh Thuan, , Vietnam

Deal USD $ 250 per night

Evason Ana Mandara Hideaway

Luxury Beach Resort

Nha Trang, , Vietnam

Deal USD $ 200 per night

Victoria Chau Doc Hotel

Boutique Hotel

Chau Doc , , Vietnam

Deal USD $ 125 per night

The Terraces

Boutique Hotel

Kanatal, Uttarkhand, India

Deal USD $ 240 per night

The Orchid

Urban Boutique Hotel

Beijing, Gulou, China

Deal USD $ 110 per night

The Quay

Urban Retreat Hotel

Phnom Penh, , Cambodia

Deal USD $ 70 per night

Luang Prabang River Lodge

Urban Budget Hotel

Luang Prabang, , Laos

Deal USD $ 40 per night

Royal Bay Inn Angkor Resort

Urban Hotel

Siem Reap, , Cambodia

Deal USD $ 60 per night

Knai Bang Chatt

Beach Resort

Kep, , Cambodia

Deal USD $ 115 per night

City Inn

Urban Budget Hotel

Vientiane, , Laos

Deal USD $ $60 per night

Independence Hotel

Luxury Beach Hotel

Sihanoukville, , Southern Cambodia

Deal USD $ 130 per night

Amanjaya Pancam

Urban Retreat Hotel

Phnom Penh, , Cambodia

Deal USD $ 100 per night

Sala Luang Prabang

Urban Budget Guesthouse

Luang Prabang, , Laos

Deal USD $ 50 per night

La Residence d’Angkor

Luxury Hotel

Siem Reap, , Cambodia

Deal USD $ USD $285 per night

Settha Palace Hotel

Urban Boutique Hotel

Vientiane, , Laos

Deal USD $ 150 per night

Wanderlust

Urban Boutique Hotel

, , Singapore

Deal USD $ 158 per night

The Mercer

Designer Luxury Hotel

Hong Kong, Sheung Wan, China

Deal USD $ 200 per night

The Club Hotel

Urban Boutique Hotel

China Town, , Singapore

Deal USD $ 188 per night

L’Hotel Nina at Convention Center

Urban Budget Hotel

Hong Kong, The New Territories, China

Deal USD $ 100 per night

Hotel Fort Canning

Urban Hotel

, , Singapore

Deal USD $ 240 per night

Marina Bay Sands

Urban Hotel

Marina Bay, , Singapore

Deal USD $ 341 per night

Hullet House

Urban Luxury Hotel

Hong Kong, Kowloon, China

Deal USD $ 500 per night

Hotel De Edge

Urban Designer Hotel

Hong Kong, Sheung Wan, China

Deal USD $ 100 per night

Sunrise Nha Trang Beach Hotel & Spa

Luxury Beach Resort

Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa province, Vietnam

Deal USD $ 134 per night

Maya Ubud Resort and Spa

Mountain Luxury Retreat

Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

Deal USD $ 295 per night

Batu Karang Lembongan Resort

Luxury Beach Resort

Nusa Lembongan, Bali, Indonesia

Deal 230 per night

Bon Ton Resort

Beach Luxury Villa

Pantai Cenang, Pulau Langkawi, Malaysia

Deal USD $ 250 per night

Clove Hall

Urban Boutique Hotel

Georgetown, Pulau Penang, Malaysia

Deal USD $ 180 per night

The Secret Sanctuary Boutique Cottage

Boutique Guesthouse

Kuching, Borneo, Malaysia

Deal USD $ 35 per night

O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat

Boutique Resort

Canungra, Queensland, Australia

Deal USD $ 200 per night

Argonauta Boracay

Beach Boutique Hotel

Hagdan, Boracay Island, Philippines

Deal USD $ 120 per night

Anggun Boutique Hotel

Urban Boutique Hotel

Kuala Lumpur, Bukit Bintang, Malaysia

Deal USD $ 75 per night

Soria Moria

Urban Retreat

Siem Reap, Old French Quarter, Cambodia

Deal USD $ 40 per night

La Villa Battambang

Boutique Guesthouse

Battambang, Rattanak Srok, Cambodia

Deal USD $ 55 per night

The Apsara

Urban Boutique Guesthouse

Luang Prabang, Luang Prabang Province, Laos

Deal USD $ 75 per night

Salana Boutique Hotel

Urban Boutique Hotel

Vientiane, Wat Chan , Laos

Deal USD $ 100 per night

Villa Santi Hotel

Boutique Hotel

Luang Prabang, Ban Wat Sene, Laos

Deal USD $ 90 per night

TenFace Bangkok

Boutique Hotels

Bangkok, Pathumwan, Thailand

Deal USD $ 87 per night

Villa Lomchoy

Luxury Villa

Chaweng, Koh Samui, Thailand

Deal USD $ 275 per night

Hintok River Camp @ Hellfire Pass

Rivers Glamping

Kanchanaburi, River Kwai, Thailand

Deal USD $ 125 per night

Luang Poj Boutique Hostel

Boutique Guesthouse

Ranong, City Centre, Thailand

Deal USD $ 13 per night

The Chedi, Chiang Mai

Luxury Boutique Hotel

Chiang Mai, Chang Khlan, Thailand

Deal USD $ 250 per night

Villa Blubambu

Luxury Spa Villas

Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia

Deal USD $ 115 per night

Santi Sari

Luxury Guesthouse

Goris, Bali, Indonesia

Deal USD $ 200 per night

La Residence Hue

Boutique Hotel

Hue City, Tha Thien-Hue, Vietnam

Deal USD $ 118 per night

Ana Mandara Villas Dalat Resort & Spa

Luxury Resort

Dalat, Lam Dong, Vietnam

Deal USD $ USD $175 per night

Hotel G

Urban Boutique Hotel

Beijing, Sanlitun, China

Deal USD $ 170 per night

Tiger Rock

Luxury Boutique Guesthouse

Pangkor Island, Perak, Malaysia

Deal USD $ 200 per night

The Opposite House

Urban Luxury Boutique Hotel

Beijing, Sanlitun, China

Deal USD $ 330 per night

The T Hotel

Urban Designer Hotel

Hong Kong, Pokfulam, China

Deal USD $ 150 per night

Hotel ICON

Urban Luxury Boutique Hotel

Hong Kong, Kowloon, China

Deal USD $ 335 per night

Hotel 1929

Urban Boutique Hotel

Singapore, Chinatown, Singapore

Deal USD $ 136 per night

The Scarlet Hotel

Urban Boutique Hotel

Singapore, , Singapore

Deal USD $ 200 per night

New Majestic Hotel

Urban Boutique Hotel

Singapore, Chinatown, Singapore

Deal USD $ 196 per night

Rohet Garh

Luxury Boutique Hotel

Rohet Garh, Rajasthan, India

Deal USD $ 100 per night

Padmini Niwas

Luxury Hotel Test

Mussoorie, Uttarkhand, India

Deal USD $ 33 per night

Orange County

Boutique Luxury Resort

Coorg, Karnataka, India

Deal USD $ 380 per night

Old Harbour Hotel

Luxury Boutique Hotel

Fort Kochi, Kerala, India

Deal USD $ USD $185 per night

Nilaya Hermitage

Boutique Luxury Hotel

Arpora, Goa, India

Deal USD $ 397 per night

Maneland Jungle Lodge

Adventure Resort Retreat

Sasan Gir, Gujurat, India

Deal USD $ 65 per night

House of MG

Urban Boutique Hotel

Ahmedabad, Gujurat, India

Deal USD $ 92 per night

Hotel Bougainvillea

Budget Boutique Guesthouse

Anjuna, Goa, India

Deal USD $ 15 per night

Fort Tiracol

Luxury Boutique Hotel

Tiracol, Goa, India

Deal USD $ 172 per night

Fort Chanwa Luni

Luxury Boutique Hotel

Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India

Deal USD $ 130 per night

Fernhills Palace

Luxury Boutique Hotel

Ooty, Tamil Nadu , India

Deal USD $ 235 per night

Carlton Plaisance

Luxury Hotel

Mussoorie, Uttaranchal, India

Deal USD $55 per night