Farewell My Concubine (1993) – Filming Locations
Drama · Directed by Chen Kaige · Starring Leslie Cheung, Gong Li
In an epic tale of theater, gender, love and class, two Beijing opera actors navigate political turmoil as their friendship evolves over decades.
Where was Farewell My Concubine filmed?
- Beijing, China, Beijing – Palace scenes and imperial court sequences depicting the Peking Opera performers' encounters with royalty. The Forbidden City provided authentic imperial architecture and grandeur for scenes set in the Chinese imperial court during the film's opening act
- Beijing, China, Beijing – Exterior scenes and landscapes depicting Beijing's classical architecture during various historical periods. The historic temple served as a location establishing Beijing's cultural and architectural identity across the film's multiple time periods
- Beijing, China, Beijing – Street scenes, daily life sequences, and intimate moments in the performers' residences during wartime and post-war periods. The traditional Beijing hutong district provided authentic sets for scenes portraying the lives and relationships of Peking Opera performers during wartime and cultural revolution
- Beijing, China, Beijing – Exterior landscapes and imperial garden sequences during flashback and historical narrative scenes. The Summer Palace's classical gardens and architecture enhanced the film's visual representation of pre-revolutionary China and imperial elegance