Top 5 popular Taipei City filming spots revealed

2014-12-10

Taipei City’s Nangang Bottle Cap Factory was the top choice for domestic and foreign film companies in 2013, according to statistics released by the Taipei Film Commission.

“Taipei City has more than 200 spots suitable for filming,” TFC Director Jennifer Jao said. “They include buildings in Japanese, Western and modern styles, as well as green riverside meadows. There are also plenty of art centers, cafes, nightclubs, restaurants, schools and temples to meet the demand.”

The main attractions of the now defunct factory lie in its large space and its distance from downtown Taipei’s hustle and bustle. There is also a supermarket nearby where moviemakers can drop in to purchase needed supplies.

The commission received 73 applications to film at the factory last year, including one from the makers of “Paradise in Service.”

Second on the list of most-asked-for locations was the Mass Rapid Transit system with 62 applications, as it best represents people’s daily lives.

Among all MRT lines, the Wenhu line was the most popular for the scenery along its route. Other transportation hubs like Taipei Main, Beitou and Zhongxiao-Dunhua stations often featured in movies and idol dramas.

Third on the list came the Bopiliao Historic Block with 39 applications. “This site offers rooms and street sights spanning across the Qing dynasty [1644-1911], Japanese colonial and post-retrocession periods. They can easily be remodeled to show different eras.” The film “Monga” is a good example.

Songshan Cultural and Creative Park ranked fourth, while the Taipei City Hall parking apron was the No. 5 choice, with 32 and 31 applications, respectively.

Songshan Park was welcomed due to its exotic aspects and step-back-in-time atmosphere offered by its Baroque Garden, according to Jao, while the parking apron allowed for great aerial shots. Both “Close to You” and “David Loman” featured scenes shot at the apron.

Other popular spots include Luoyang Car Park, Zhongshan Hall, the production site in Beitou, Linsen Chinese Medicine Branch of Taipei City Hospital and National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall. The car park has been the site of many commercials, as the Tamsui River and New Taipei City’s night scenes can also be included in the shots.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=225012&CtNode=413)