Himalaya: Ladder to Paradise is the first film in the world that uses aerial photographic shots taken at 6,800 meters on Mount Qomolangma. [Photo/Agencies]

The documentary, Himalaya: Ladder to Paradise, is already a record breaker even before it opens officially. It is the first Chinese documentary about mountaineering shot in 4K resolution. It's the first film in the world that uses aerial photographic shots taken at 6,800 meters on Mount Qomolangma and it's also the first film to detail the process of climbing the mountain from the north side.

The documentary focuses on a group of Sherpas in Tibet bring trained-to-guide climbers up the legendary mountain. The film opens in cinemas throughout China on Friday.

A preview in Shanghai early this week attracted hundreds - most of whom were enthusiasts who had donated money to help make the movie. So it's possibly also the first Chinese mountaineering documentary completed through online fundraising.

On Weibo, fans of the film have been booking screenings so that the film will not be lost in a sea of commercial blockbusters when it opens.

This is not a formal, officially sanctioned documentary but rather the brainchild of idealistic academics who put themselves into different moviemaking roles (producers, screenwriters, directors) to create the work.

                                                                                                                                              Editor: Lily Li