Conway is a 37-year-old British consul who functions as the central figure of the hijacked group. Having survived World War I, he carries a profound sense of detachment. He views the world with a dispassionate calmness that his colleagues often mistake for laziness. He is highly competent and fluent in several languages, traits that prove invaluable when he is suddenly thrust into the mysterious environment of the Himalayas. His natural serenity uniquely positions him to adapt to the peculiar lifestyle of the lamasery.

Mallinson is a 24-year-old vice consul operating under Conway's command in Baskul. He possesses a rigid, ambitious mindset and is heavily invested in his career and his engagement to a woman in England. When the plane is hijacked, his anxiety skyrockets. He demands immediate action, views the Tibetan inhabitants with suspicion, and struggles profoundly to accept the isolated, slow-paced reality of their unexpected destination.

The High Lama is the elderly, enigmatic spiritual leader of the isolated community of Shangri-La. He governs the valley below the lamasery with a philosophy centered entirely on moderation and peace. He maintains the community's strict isolation from the outside world to preserve art, music, and culture. Recognizing a rare kindred spirit in Conway, he takes a keen interest in the British diplomat's calm demeanor.

Chang is a deeply polite lama initiate who serves as the travelers' primary host and guide upon their arrival in the mountains. He maintains a dignified, hospitable presence, providing the stranded passengers with food and comfortable accommodations. He skillfully deflects their frantic questions regarding transportation, communicating the community's rules without offering a clear timeline for their departure.

Barnard is an American passenger caught in the Baskul evacuation. He displays a surprisingly easygoing attitude toward the hijacking, quickly adapting to the strange circumstances of their arrival at Shangri-La. Rather than panic, he pragmatically looks for comfort and potential business opportunities within the valley, approaching the local culture with casual curiosity.

Brinklow is a Christian missionary evacuated from Baskul alongside the diplomats. She approaches the kidnapping with stern stoicism, valuing strict discipline over comfort or happiness. Undeterred by the strange environment of the lamasery, she promptly decides to learn the Tibetan language, viewing the valley's inhabitants as potential converts to her faith.

Lo-Tsen is a Manchu woman residing at Shangri-La as a lama initiate. She possesses a quiet beauty and remarkable skill at the piano and harp. She does not speak to the new arrivals, instead providing a calming, ethereal presence that captivates both Conway and Mallinson.

Rutherford is a novelist and former schoolmate of Conway. He serves as the custodian of Conway's incredible story, having recently discovered his old friend recovering in a Chinese mission hospital. He transcribes the extraordinary account of the Tibetan journey into the manuscript that forms the core of the novel.

The narrator is a neurologist who attends a dinner with former school friends in Berlin. He receives Rutherford's manuscript and provides the framing perspective for the novel, listening carefully to the initial rumors surrounding the Baskul incident.

Wyland is an Embassy secretary who attended school with Conway, Rutherford, and the narrator. He maintains a cautious, diplomatic demeanor during their dinner in Berlin, attempting to steer the conversation away from the highly sensitive details of the hijacked plane.

Sanders is a Royal Air Force pilot who casually shares details of the Baskul kidnapping during the dinner in Berlin. He speaks openly about the incident, unaware that his tablemates personally know one of the missing passengers.

Talu is the mysterious, heavily armed pilot who hijacks the evacuation plane. He forcefully flies the passengers deep into the Himalayas, redirecting their lives entirely before landing on the isolated Tibetan Plateau.

Sieveking is a pianist who performs during a sea voyage. His musical selections inadvertently trigger dormant memories for a fellow passenger, prompting a strange revelation about unpublished works.

Briac is a resident of the isolated lamasery who dedicates his time to classical music. He shares unusual, supposedly unpublished musical compositions with the visitors.

Meister is a German lama initiate living within the isolated community of Shangri-La, devoting himself to the tranquil lifestyle of the valley.