The Tibetans refer to the Dalai Lama as 'Kundun', which means 'The Presence'. He was forced to escape from his native home, Tibet, when communist China invaded and enforced an oppressive regime upon the peaceful nation. The Dalai Lama escaped to India in 1959 and has been living in exile in Dharamsala ever since.

The film takes place in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Gansu Province, and part of the plot of the film is based on Mr. Dingmudi's real life experience in Gannan Prefecture, artistically recreating the scenes of the Chinese, Tibetan and Hui nationalities living in harmony under the inspiration of the Party's national policies, and it's a work reflecting the progress of unity of all nationalities.