Maps of Movies

Monkey Sun (1959)

Where Monkey Sun says it takes place, and where it was really shot.

A 1959 Toho special-effects Journey to the West with no documented filming location on Earth

Scenes and places

The Emperor's dream in Chang'an

The Emperor, desperate to save a land struck by floods, epidemics and famine, dreams of a hermit who names a brave 13-year-old boy. He summons Genjo, renames him San Tsang and sends him to India for the holy script.

Set in Imperial palace, Chang'an — The Emperor dreams of a hermit who names a brave boy for the mission to India. Google Maps · Apple Maps

Chang'an was the capital of Tang China; today's Xi'an stands on the site. The coordinates are the city's, not the palace's.

Attacked by savages on the road to India

Alone on the road, San Tsang is attacked by a band of savages and barely escapes death. It shows how dangerous the mission is before he finds any protector.

Set in Savage-infested road to India — A band of savages attacks the boy on the road to India.

Story-world stage; the film places it only on the way to India, with no real location.

Strange music and a ray of light on the summit

Exhausted, San Tsang rests on a mountain top when strange music and a ray of light find him. Pon, messenger of the goddess of mercy, appears and offers to lead him on.

Set in Mountain summit — Resting on a summit, San Tsang hears strange music and sees a ray of light.

Story-world stage; no real mountain is named in the sources.

The cave where the Monkey King waited 500 years

Pon guides San Tsang to a cave where Sun Wukong has been confined for 500 years. The Monkey King becomes his first disciple, sworn to protect him on the long journey.

Set in Cave of Sun Wukong — Pon leads San Tsang to the cave where Sun Wukong has been confined for 500 years.

Story-world stage; the film's cave has no named real counterpart.

Devils and spiders on the road

Joined by Pa Chieh and Wu Ching, the party is attacked by devils and spiders disguised in various forms. Sun Wukong and his fellow disciples have to defend their master.

Set in Road beset by devils and spiders — The four travelers are attacked by devils and spiders disguised in various forms.

Story-world stage; a studio special-effects sequence by Eiji Tsuburaya's team, with no real location.

The mountain top above India

San Tsang and his followers climb the last mountain on their route.

Set in Mountain ridge overlooking India — The party climbs a mountain from which India can be seen.

Story-world stage; the Japanese Wikipedia says distant scenery was done with painted backdrops.

Characters

• Tang Sanzang (Genjo) — A brave 13-year-old boy the Emperor sends to fetch the holy script from India.
• Sun Wukong — The Monkey King, confined in a cave for 500 years, who becomes Sanzang's first disciple.
• Pon — Messenger of the goddess of mercy who guides Sanzang.