Kundun (1997)
Directed by Martin Scorsese
A small boy from a farming village in Amdo is recognised as the reincarnated Dalai Lama, brought to Lhasa to rule Tibet, and as a young man flees over the Himalayas into India after China's invasion.
- Travel shown
- On foot, bike, skis or swimming
- Not shown on screen
- Fictional place
- 1Family farmhouse≈ 00:01:00Taktser, Amdo (Qinghai), ChinaStated on screen
Searching lamas find a two-year-old boy who passes their test as the reincarnated Dalai Lama.
- 2Potala Palace≈ 00:18:00Lhasa, TibetStated on screen
He grows up in the Potala, is enthroned and must lead Tibet as China invades.
- 3Meeting with Mao≈ 01:12:00Beijing, ChinaStated on screen
- 4Escape from the Norbulingka≈ 01:35:00Lhasa, TibetStated on screen
- 5Mountain route south≈ 01:50:00TibetInferred
- 6Indian border post≈ 02:02:00Indian border post near the Khenzimane passInferred
- 7New home in India≈ 02:07:00IndiaStated on screen
The journey in numbers
- Distance travelled
- 8,499 km
- Places
- 6
- Countries
- 2
- Stops
- 7
- Not shown: 6,536 km
- Horse: 1,963 km
Distances are measured in a straight line between stops, so real road distances are longer.
Spotted a mistake?
Every journey is checked against the film, but we can still get things wrong.