Best Bollywood filming locations to visit in India

If you’re planning to visit India, you can catch a glimpse of its beauty from the films which have been shot here. Discover the most famous Bollywood locations in India.

Chapora Fort

The 2001 film Dil Chahta Hai has made the Chapora Fort in Goa so famous that the place is now more commonly known as the ‘Dil Chahta Hai Fort’. Indeed, it’s possible that some tourists may not even know its real name. The Fort lies on top of a steep hill, and the view of the sea from the summit is breathtaking. Before the present structure was built in 1717, the area served as the base camp for Mughal Emperor Akbar when he was fighting a battle against the Portuguese. Chapora Fort is 10 minutes away from Vagator Beach.

Hidimba Devi Mandir

Hidimba Devi Mandir lies in the hill station of Manali in Himachal Pradesh, which is a favourite Bollywood location. The temple is devoted to Hidimba Devi, who is the wife of Bhima, one of the protagonists in the Indian epic Mahabharata. The beautiful structure, nestled amid a thick cedar forest, served as a filming location for the 2013 romantic comedy Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani as well as the critically acclaimed 1992 drama Roja.

Shimla

Shimla has been a favourite with filmmakers ever since the advent of Bollywood. Whether it’s the 1960s romantic movie Love in Simla or recent hits such as Bang Bang and Mai Tera Hero, Shimla, which was once the summer capital of the British Raj, has played the perfect host to Bollywood for years. The endorsement it has received from the film industry has helped boost tourism in the region in a big way. Apart from the pristine landscape, the colonial architecture lends a special character to this town.

Udaipur

A location that could give Shimla a run for its money is Udaipur in Rajasthan. The 1965 film Guide, which was ranked fourth by Time magazine on its list of Best Bollywood Classics, was filmed in Udaipur. Most recently, Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela was shot in the City of Lakes. Even Hollywood hasn’t been able to resist the charm of the royal city of Udaipur. Octopussy and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel are two of the most famous Hollywood movies that were filmed in the city.

Pangong Lake

In recent years, Pangong Lake in Ladakh in the state of Jammu and Kashmir has found a lot of admirers within the film fraternity. The fascination for the spectacular location started with Dil Se in 1998, but people mostly remember the place for the final scene in the 2009 super hit, 3 Idiots. While on a trip to Ladakh, Pangong Lake should definitely be on the itinerary. The place is so sublime that it’s almost spiritual.

Gulmarg

Gulmarg in Kashmir is a popular ski destination. While people flock here for winter sports such as skiing, snowboarding, and tobogganing, Bollywood has used the snowy hills of Gulmarg for filming many of its films. Saat Khoon Maaf, starring Priyanka Chopra and based on a short story by Ruskin Bond, was shot here. There was also a minor controversy when the film Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, which was actually filmed in Gulmarg, was passed off as Manali in the movie.

Darjeeling

The list of films shot in Darjeeling, West Bengal are endless. Jagga Jasoos, Main Hoon Na and Barfi are the latest films that have featured this lovely little town. Darjeeling was especially popular during the 1960s when over 10 films were shot here during the decade. The lush tea gardens, the snowcapped mountains, the quaint architecture and the warm hospitality of its people make Darjeeling a place you keep wanting to return to.

See more: 10 most beautiful states to visit in India

Source: Internet

Visit the famous filming locations in Jeju, Korea

Jeju Island’s volcanic shores are well loved in Korea for their sweeping ocean views and natural beauty. So it’s no surprise that the island frequently appears in K-dramas of all types. Here are some of the best K-drama filming locations you can visit on Jeju.

Hallasan Park

The volcanic peak of Hallasan Mountain is one of Jeju’s most instantly recognisable geographic features. Trails around the park range in length from 1.5 kilometres to over nine kilometres long, and hiking to the top of the crater is a popular activity for visitors to the island. Hallasan is the tallest mountain in South Korea, and its peak can be seen in the background of many K-dramas set on Jeju. It also appears as a location, most notably in My Lovely Sam Soon, when Kim Sun Ah scales the path in the pouring rain to show that she doesn’t want anything to do with love any more.

Seopjikoji Lighthouse

Seopjikoji Lighthouse is set at the top of a hill, and has sweeping views out over the ocean. It’s also known as the ‘Wishing Lighthouse’, as locals believe it has the power to grant wishes. The elegant white building has been featured in a number of dramas, including All In and Boys Over Flowers, and Yeo Jin Goo and Kim Seolhyun shared their first kiss here in romantic drama Orange Marmalade.

Jeju Folk Village

Go back in time to the 1890s at Jeju Folk Village. Over 40 acres of land contain carefully researched reconstructions of various types of buildings, including fishing huts, shaman’s houses, agricultural buildings, and family homes. There are 117 buildings and facilities in the village, and a range of artefacts on display. Visitors can dress up in traditional hanboks, take part in workshops, and see events such as cultural performances. The village was used as a key location in the hit historical drama Dae Jang Geum (‘Jewel in the Palace’), as the place where Jang Geum learns medicine as a maid.

Teddy Bear Museum

Jeju’s Teddy Bear Museum features historical moments, famous people and art masterpieces — all represented in teddy-bear form. Teddies range from over six foot tall (you can cuddle some in the museum’s outdoor garden) to just 4.55 millimetres high. It’s an entertaining way to spend an afternoon, and gives an insight into the toy’s history and Korean culture; look out for the hanbok-clad animatronic bears. Alfred, the teddy bear from Goong(‘Princess Hours’), is displayed here; the museum was used as a filming location for episode 12 of the drama.

The All In House

Located just a few minutes’ walk from Seopjikoji Lighthouse is the All In House, built specially as a location for the drama mini-series All In. It’s waned in popularity as a tourist attraction (the drama aired in 2003), but you can still visit the interesting church building, recreate your own scenes from the drama, and take lots of photos along the dramatic coastline.

Bomnal Cafe 

Bomnal Cafe has breathtaking views out over Jeju’s ocean and a bright, welcoming atmosphere. It was a key filming location in the 2015 drama Warm and Cosy, as the cafe where Lee Jung Joo and Baek Gun Woo worked and (spoiler alert!) fell in love. It’s popular in its own right, however — the café is beautifully decorated, making every corner a perfect photo-op, drinks are good, and there are two café corgis who make sure all the visitors are happy.

See more: 5 most romatic destinations for couples in Jeju, South Korea

Source: Internet

Busan's best destinations for film lovers

If you’re a cinephile, you’ll know about the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF). Held over eight days in October, BIFF is one of Asia’s biggest annual film festivals. As well as BIFF, Korea’s film city has draws all year round; here’s a guide to Busan for those who love life through a lens.

Busan Cinema Center

The home of Busan International Film Festival, the Busan Cinema Center, is located in Centum City (next to Shinsegae Centum City, which holds a Guinness world record as the largest department store in the world). It holds events year-round in its outside auditorium and has a number of movie theatres within its 150 million-dollar building. Tours are available, but it’s also worth going just for the movie-character sculpture selfies. At night, the building is illuminated, highlighting its unique architectural design.

BIFF Square

Set in the bustling downtown area of Nampo-dong, BIFF Square is Busan’s cinema district. Movie theatres jostle with shops, cafes and restaurants, and the area is famous for its street food. It’s divided into two sections, ‘Star Street’ and ‘Festival Street’. Don’t forget to look down — on the ground are hand prints from celebrities and film-makers including Jeremy Irons, Ennio Morricone and Juliette Binoche. BIFF Square is one of the best places to try ssiat hotteok, a sweet, deep-fried pancake filled with brown sugar syrup and chopped nuts.

Black Panther filming locations

To Marvel fans, Busan may look familiar. The city was used as a location for the 2018 blockbuster movie Black Panther, and iconic buildings such as Gwangan Bridge made an appearance in the movie’s high-speed car chase. Channel your inner Wakandan and stroll through filming locations such as Jagalchi Market and Gwangalli seafront; don’t forget to take a selfie with the Black Panther statue on Gwangalli Beach!

Cinema Street

Want some seaside air? Head to Haeundae, where the seafront walk by Marine City is lined with film-related sculptures and images. There are also trick-art photo zones, film posters from Korean movies and a zone called Santorini Square, where a number of famous Korean actors and film-makers have left their hand prints. Free telescopes are set at intervals along the walk to provide a view of the ocean. The street is lit at night, so you can head down there any time you like.

K-drama filming locations

Korea’s second city has been used as a filming location for many films and TV shows, so there’s plenty of places for K-drama fans to check out. Dalmaji-gil Road’s romantic atmosphere has been used in a number of drama scenes, and it’s especially beautiful during cherry blossom season. Gukje Market was heavily used in the 2014 movie Ode To My Father, a drama film set during the Korean War. Gamcheon Culture Village was used in the popular reality show Running Man (which also featured Shinsegae Department Store) as well as in Marry Me, or Not?, the first Taiwanese drama to be filmed in Busan.

See more: Best late night restaurants to eat in Busan, Korea

Source: Internet