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Nature & Photography

One can hardly find a better place for photography in all of China than in Tibet. Tibet’s diverse topography, alpine climate, rare wildlife and mysterious culture and religion caters to virtually every type of photographer. The ambient light on the Qinghai – Tibete plateau changes minute by minute, taking on different hues and colors as time goes by. Wherever you are in Tibet, from the boundless northern grasslands to the deeply religious and mysterious monasteries and the stunning sacred lakes, the everchanging light cast upon every corner of Tibet will have you constantly pressing the shutter button every moment in search of the perfect photograph. To capture some amazing wildlife photos, all that you need is patience and a bit of luck. Whether you have a small “point and shoot” camera or the top of the line professional photography gear, come join us on our Tibet nature and photography tour!

Nature & Photography 6 Days

7 Days Classic Lhasa Nyingchi Tour

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Nature & Photography 10 Days

10 Days Eastern Tibet Tour to Explore the Natural Beauty

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Nature & Photography FAQ

What are the recommended places for photographing in Tibet during Spring?

In March-May, it is a good time to photograph the grassland in Ngari, the flag clouds over the Mount Everest and the peach blossoms in Nyingchi. In the first half of April each year, it is the best time to enjoy the Nyingchi peach blossoms, especially in the old Nyingchi Town, Milin County and Bomi County. Every late April and early May, you can see the flag clouds over the Mount Everest. They are especially enchanting at dusk. At the same time, the grasslands in the Hoh Xil are dotted with national-level protected animals such as Tibetan antelopes.

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What to shoot in Tibet during winter ?

From December to March, it is a great time to shoot pilgrims and black-necked cranes. After the autumn harvest, the pilgrims in other Tibetan areas embark on their pilgrimage journey to Lhasa. Every winter, there are even more pilgrims than tourists during the summer tourist season. At the same time, the only crane that can live on the plateau out of the 14 species of cranes in the world will gather in the upper reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River. And there are also a large number of bar-headed geese and wild ducks. Join our Tibet Winter Tour now!

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How to take pictures in Tibet in summer?

The tourist peak season begins in the turn of Spring and Summer. But apart from the snowy mountains, grasslands and lakes on the conventional route, summer cannot be said to be the best time for photographing in Tibet. If you enter Tibet from June to August, you can go to Namtso to shoot some of the normal Tibetan scenery and the starry nights. During the Gyantse Horse Racing Festival in late July and the Shoton Festival in Lhasa in August, you’re able to shoot pictures on these Tibetan activities.

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What are the scenery that worthy photographying in Tibet during Autumn?

September-November is the prime time for photographing in Tibet. There’s no place that cannot attracts you in Autumn - the layered vegetation in Nyingchi, the golden maple leaves mirrored by the Lhasa River, the sunrise in Mount Everest, the fairy scenery in Ngari, the autumn harvest in Shigatse, the snowy pastures in Nagqu and so on.

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The recommended places for photographing in Lhasa

The Potala Palace; Sera Monastery; the Barkhor Street and the small temple of the red wall; the Zayeba Monastery; the black-necked crane habitat in Linzhou County; the Lhasa River.
The Potala Palace: You can take pictures in the palace from varied angles. In the “Chakpori Viewing Platform” and Lupuyan Temple, you can shoot the Potala Palace with the white tower in the foreground. From such angle, you can shoot the palace shining under the sunset glow. And in the Potala Palace squire, you can shoot the “Standard photo” of the palace.

Jokhang Temple: As a cultural scenic spot, Jokhang is a good choice for shutterbugs all year round, despite the weather conditions. Prayers from all parts of the world come to pray here. You can shoot a perfect film here, especially when it coincides with Tibetan festivals and religious celebrations.

Drepung Monastery: It is quite spectacular to come here to shoot the Giant Buddha exhibiting ceremony during the Shoton Festival.

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The recommended places for photographing in Nyingchi

Peach blossoms in Old Nyingchi Town, Bomi and Milin County; Niyang River in Autumn; Basongcuo in Spring and Autumn; Sejila Mountain - Namjagbrawa Peak; Yarlung Zangbo River in Spring and Autumn.
The recommended places for photographing in Shigatse

The flag clouds over Mount Everest in April; the Jinshan Mountain of Mount Everest in September; and the Nianchu River in October. After passing the Qushui Bridge from Lhasa, you’re able to see a piece of willow forest along the Yarlung Zangbo River and from here on you can begin shooting pictures. If you arrive there in July, you can also see the golden rape flowers and the green highland barley.

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How to take pictures of the Mount Everest?

Kyawu-la Mountain: This is the best place to shoot the Everest. If you get up early before 7:00 in the morning, you can shoot Mount Everest capped with golden sunshine. Rongbuk Valley: In July, you’ll never be disappointed by the picture containing the rape flowers, green highland barley, snow-capped peaks, blue sky and white clouds. In addition, on the way from the valley to the Everest Base Camp,there are many dwellings with Tibetan characteristics. On top of that, you can shoot the Everest with a tower as the frontier standing to the north of the entrance of the Rongbuk Monastery. From Rongbuk Monastery, there are dramatic views of the north face of Mount Everest. April to July, September to November is the best season to shoot the Everest.

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When is the best time for photographing in Tibet?

Tibet's natural landscape, folk customs and religious culture attract professional or non-professional photographers from all over the world. It is a paradise for photographers. You can take amazing pictures in Tibet even without the high-end photographic equipment.
If you like shooting natural scenery, you shall visit there during April-July, or late September - early November. The rainy season begins in June, but the overall rainfall is not frequent from April to June. Hence the driving conditions are good during the period, and you can go to some remote areas for photography. July and August are rainy seasons. In the late September, the weather gets better again and Tibet in autumn is especially attractive.

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The recommended places for photographing in Gyangtse

Kumbum Temple; Dzong Fortress; the pastoral scenery.
The best time to take the picture of Kumbum Temple and Gyantse Dzong is during the sunrise and sunset. On the field 1 km from Gyantse to the direction of Lhasa, it is the best angle to shoot the fortress. The best time to shoot the Kumbum Temple is early to mid-July.

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Where is the best place to take picture of Yamdrok?

The best spot to shoot Yamdrok Lake is the Gangbala Pass. But the wind there is very strong. You have to stand the tripod well.
Shannan Photography Tips

Yungbulakang Palace: There are two best shooting places. One is the slope next to the road 700 meters from Yungbulakang. From this angle, you can shoot the palace with the mountains as the background. The other is in the mountains on the north side of Yungbulakang, which is shot with the background of the Yarlung Valley from this angle.

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How to take great pictures of Namtso Lake?

The best time to shoot Namtso is in the early morning and evening. The surrounded snow-capped mountains, coupled with the golden sunshine, and the clear pure lake will make you press the shutter ceaselessly. Whenever you visit Namtso, you will never be disappointed by the scenery there. But you need to notice that the road to there sometimes might be closed in winter due to the heavy snow..

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How to take great pictures of Ranwu Lake?

Very early in the morning, you can walk along the Ranwu-Chayu Road. On the roadside, there is a peninsula, where you can shoot the lake and the surrounded snow mountains. Or you can shoot the snowy mountains and Ranwu Lake during the sunset before the sun has completely fallen.

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The recommended places for photographing in Ngari

Lake Manasarovar: There is a village called Huoer next to the holy lake, and it is the best place to photograph the lake. 3 km west of Huoer Village, you can shoot the swamp, grass and snow peaks. There you can surely take great pictures of Lake Manasarovar. The best time is early morning and evening.
Temples: There are many temples around Lake Manasarovar. Among them, the Jiwu Temple in the west and the Chugu Temple in the south are worth visiting. On a small slope on the north side of the Jiwu Temple, there is a white tower, which can be used as the foreground to shoot Mount Kailash.

Burang County：In the summer, Burang is a place you never want to miss. The green fields, the golden river beach and the silvery snow-capped peaks contribute to an enchanting picture with varied colors.

Baga Grassland: From Taqin to Zanda County, you will pass the Baga Grassland. You may need prepare a telephoto lens and wait to shoot the Tibetan antelope and wild donkey.

Zanda: There are some abandoned pagodas along the Xiangquan River to the north of the county town. It is the best place to shoot Zanda Earth Forest.

The Guge Kingdom relic sites: The best time to shoot there is during the sunrise and sunset.

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What kind of equipment needed for photography in Tibet?

Seeing these lingering scenery, many tourists are regret that they don’t have a professional camera. In fact, this is not the case. High-end cameras do take greater pictures than normal ones or the smart phones. But only with phones, some people can still take amazing photos due to their good photography expertise and sincere love for Tibet. However, you need to pay attention to the following issues:
If you use a SLR, it is best to bring a tripod, given the strong wind in Tibet.

Please prepare more batteries, lest you do not find places to charge your devices.

Do not use a polarizer when using a wide-angle lens, or the sky on your pictures might be too dark.

Do not put the film in the car. Cause the temperature in the car may get really high in the mid of the day, and the film may get damaged.

To equip your camera with a UV mirror, which can protect the camera from rain and dust. Bring more film, cause the film in Lhasa is very expensive.

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What are the taboos for photographing in Tibet?

You need to notice that some places cannot be shot for free. You may be charged 50 yuan or more to take a picture of these places. Don’t take pictures without permission or try to snap pictures secretly without paying. If you want to shoot portraits of the local people, you’d better ask for their consent first.

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Where are the places that photography are prohibited in Tibet?

(1)Temples. Tibetans believe in Buddhism, and there are many temples everywhere, such as the Potala Palace and the Jokhang Temple. When you visit the temples, you need keep quiet and do not take pictures inside the halls.
(2)Border checkpoints. Given its geographical location, there are not only strict regulations for foreigners travelling to Tibet, but also the rules for Chinese people to apply for border permit to certain places. Do not take pictures there at the border checkpoints.

(3)The Tibetan pilgrims to Lhasa. On the way to Lhasa or Jokhang Temple, there are many pilgrims who make their pilgrimage by continuously prostrating themselves on the ground. This is a very unique scene in Lhasa. If you want to take pictures of them, you’d better ask them first. If they are not willing to be shot, then just leave them alone.

(4) Animals such as yak and Tibetan Mastiff. The yak in Tibet is also a very unique scene on the Sichuan-Tibet Route. But you must notice that whether the yak has its owner, especially those with careful decorations.

Travel makes people feel happy, especially in such a beautiful place in Tibet. You’d better abide by these regulations and respect the local customs. Only in this way, you can have a nice journey that haunts you for a long time.

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