Have you seen "In the Mood for Love" which is what 2046 is based on. In my opinion it's Wong Kar Wai's masterpiece along with Chung King Express. Check em out if you haven't already since you seem to like Hong Kong Movies. Some of my favorite mandarin flicks include To Live and Raise the Red Lattern. City of God was an awesome movie too. You might find Old Boy interesting which is really weird but it's Korean.

Cheers,

Muslim