Originaly, Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life was going to be filmed in China near the Great Wall. The Chinese authorities refused the crew to film in their country, so an alternative had to be found. The United Kingdom was chosen, Snowdonia area in particular. The bike chase near the great wall was filmed at Pen y Pass. The wall was added later.
Lara crashed her pod at lake Llyn Gwynant near Beddgelert. More mountains were created by an effects studio to give the area a more Chinese look. But the Chinese village was real, build for the movie near the Welch lake.
A drop was filmed at Alexandra Slate Quarry – Gwynedd (also enhanced later by special effects to make it more spectacular). Here the Terracotta army is stored. The LongMen Grottoes at LuoYang, China were also used for these scenes.
Other locations used are Moel Siabod and Fynnon Llugwy.
Another famous movie, starring Warwick Davies, was recorded in the area as well. “Willow” was filmed in and around Llanberis.
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