Tips for photography in Tibet

Taking photos is an indispensible part for most travels, so is your Tibet travel. Tibet itself, with its unique culture and beautiful scenery as well as its people, gives you a great opportunity to take photos. However, due to the special conditions of Tibet, there are some helpful tips for photography in Tibet for you.

(1) As the altitude of Tibet is pretty high (an average altitude of over 3000m), you should pay attention to protect your camera from extreme temperature and harsh climate. If necessary, take some technical precautions. Dust cover, lens hood, lens tissue, a brush, detergent, repair outfits and other useful things are recommended to be taken with you.

(2) And because the sunshine in Tibet is rather strong, please do remember not to let your camera insolate under the sunshine and you can equip your camera lens with UV lens to protect it and get better sly capture. Be careful using your camera when it is dusty or windy.

(3) Take enough films, a large-content memory card and batteries. Take one time more films than the ordinary amount. You are not supposed to buy films in Tibet unless you are lucky enough to avoid buying any fake films. And the batteries may not work as well as they do in other low-altitude places because of the low-temperature there.

(4) Take a small table-tripod if you can.

(5) When you try to take photos inside the monasteries, ask for permission from the Lama in the monasteries first. But you should know that it is usually forbidden to take pictures inside the chapels or you may need to pay a high price to be allowed to do so.

(6) You are highly suggested to take a lamp with you to get a clear view when taking photos inside the monasteries, because most monasteries are very dim.

(7) When you take photos inside the monasteries, be careful to protect your camera from butter. You should know that there’s butter everywhere in the monasteries. And you’d better not let the pilgrims touch your camera, especially its lens. Do not use the camera when it is unclear or rainy.

(8) Respect the person you invite to take a shot, be polite and not to disturb them. You can give them some tiny presents for thanks. In some remote places, you’d better not to ask women to take pictures with you, which may make their husbands annoyed.

(9) In Lhasa, you may come across some avaricious guys asking you for money when you take photos in public places, and you can refuse to do so.

(10) For your convenience, your photographic apparatus should be as light as possible, because traveling in Tibet, the highest place in the world, is no easy thing.

The most comfortable season to visit Tibet

My name is Tsero and I was born in a small village in Shigatse, Tibet’s second largest city. I am a tour guide. Many of my clients asked me: “Tsero, which is the most comfortable season to visit Tibet?”

“You are enjoying the most comfortable season of Tibet now.” I would anwer to most of them like this, as most of them do travel to Tibet in a pleasant season, summer or autumn.  

Each place has its own tourism season, so does Tibet. In summer and autumn, generally from April to October, it is warm and dry. During this time, lots of tourists from mainland Chian and abroad are coming to Tibet to enjoy their holidays and try to relax themselves from their busy work.

Because of this beautiful place, pleasant weather, unique tradition, rich culture, mysterious religion and different kind of things, they quickly forget all the things bothering them before.   

In summer, it is not too hot here due to the high altitude. Sometimes the temperature goes to 28-30 degree celcius on maximum. At daytime, you can feel much hotter than usual, but at night you may feel a little cold. This is because of the big temperature difference between day and night in Tibet. When you stop for rest during your Tibet tour, it is best to stay in shadown as it’s much cooler than you think.

And also if you are travelling outside Lhasa, it’s colder in northern and western part of Tibet. That’s why you have to bring both summer and winter clothes to spend great time in Tibet.

If you come to Tibet in summer, most areas of Tibet are accessible, even those hilly areas with high passes are. Thus you can travel to anywhere as you like without any problem. But there is a short rainly season in summer, from June to August.

Even in summer, you may also be able to see some snows on top of hills and passes. The landscape of Tibet is really beautiful during this time. But if you are going to visit Mt. Everest or other mountains during the rainy season then it’s not a good time to visit. Because during rainy season, it’s cloudy and foggy on mountain areas and you will not be able to see it well. And if you are still visiting it then you need to be prepared in your mind that you might not be able to see it. But if you are visiting other places I can assure you that it’s really a good season.

From September to November is our autumn. It is cool in the city and a bit cold during morning and evening. During this time you can see all the mountains without doubt. If you like to visit mountains only this is the best time. For those who love hiking, it is also the best time to do it.

Thus, both summer and autumn are the most pleasant season to visit Tibet. Welcome to Tibet and look forwards to seeing you soon.