Maps of Movies

Seven Years in Tibet (1997)

Where Seven Years in Tibet says it takes place, and where it was really shot.

Lhasa and the Potala were not filmed in Tibet: the film was built on a hillside in Argentina after China pressured the production out of Ladakh

Scenes and places

Leaving for Nanga Parbat (1939)

Harrer, a celebrated climber, leaves his pregnant wife behind to join an expedition up Nanga Parbat. His pride in the climb costs him his family before the story has even begun.

Set in Nanga Parbat — The Himalayan peak Harrer's team sets out to summit. Google Maps · Apple Maps

One of the highest mountains on Earth, in the western Himalaya.

The prisoner-of-war camp (1939)

As war breaks out, the team is arrested as enemy aliens. Harrer tries again and again to escape, desperate to get home before his child is born.

Set in Dehradun prisoner-of-war camp — The British camp in the Himalayan foothills where Harrer and Aufschnaiter are held. Google Maps · Apple Maps

A city in the Himalayan foothills, in today's Uttarakhand.

Over the border into Tibet (1944)

After years in the camp, Harrer and Aufschnaiter finally break out and head for Tibet. The country turns them away at first, so they cross the plateau on their own.

Set in Border and high passes into Tibet — The treacherous high plateau the two men cross after escaping the camp.

Filmed at Parque Provincial Aconcagua y Penitentes, Mendoza, Argentina — Listed as the park used for the Himalayan landscape; the Wikipedia list gives no footnote and no exact spot. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

Arriving in the forbidden city (1945)

Harrer and Aufschnaiter reach the gates of Lhasa and are taken in by the diplomat Kungo Tsarong. A closed country begins to open for them.

Set in Lhasa — The Tibetan capital, where the pair become house guests of Kungo Tsarong.

Filmed at Cerro Tunduqueral, Uspallata, Mendoza, Argentina — A set built to stand in for Lhasa was filmed here, after production moved from Ladakh to Argentina. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

Lessons with the Dalai Lama (1946)

Harrer is invited to the Potala and becomes tutor to the young Dalai Lama. Teacher and pupil turn into close friends.

Set in Potala Palace — The palace in Lhasa where Harrer is invited to teach the young Dalai Lama. Google Maps · Apple Maps

The winter palace of the Dalai Lamas, high above Lhasa.

Filmed at Cerro Tunduqueral, Uspallata, Mendoza, Argentina — The Potala scenes were shot on the set built here, not at the real palace; production left Ladakh under Chinese pressure. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

The fall of Chamdo (1950)

Ngawang Jigme leads the Tibetan army at Chamdo against the advancing Chinese troops. The one-sided battle changes everything for the country and for Harrer's friends.

Set in Chamdo — The border town where the Tibetan army tries to stop the advancing People's Liberation Army. Google Maps · Apple Maps

A town in eastern Tibet near the Jinsha River.

Characters

• Heinrich Harrer — An Austrian mountaineer who gets trapped in Asia by war and ends up tutoring the young Dalai Lama.
• Peter Aufschnaiter — Harrer's fellow Austrian climber and companion on the escape to Tibet.
• The 14th Dalai Lama — The boy spiritual leader of Tibet who becomes Harrer's pupil and friend.

Questions answered on the map

• Where was the Lhasa of Seven Years in Tibet really built?