Photography in China: Tips for Travelers (2025)

China offers incredible photography opportunities—ancient architecture, dramatic landscapes, vibrant street life. Here's what photographers need to know.

Camera Rules and Restrictions

Generally Allowed

• Street photography
• Public places
• Exteriors of most buildings
• Tourist attractions (usually)
• Food photography
• Landscapes

Restrictions

Forbidden or restricted:

• Military installations
• Government buildings
• Some museums (no flash, some no photos at all)
• Some religious sites
• Inside some palaces/temples
• Certain border areas

Signs to watch for:

• 禁止拍照 (Jìnzhǐ pāizhào) — No photography
• 禁止使用闪光灯 (Jìnzhǐ shǐyòng shǎnguāngdēng) — No flash

Always Ask

When photographing people:

• Ask permission when possible
• Especially elderly people
• Monks and religious figures
• Children (parents' permission)
• Working people

Most Chinese people are friendly about photos, but asking is respectful.

Drone Rules

The Reality

Drones are heavily regulated in China:

• Registration required
• Flight restrictions in most cities
• Airports, government areas strictly forbidden
• Many tourist sites prohibit drones
• Enforcement is real

If You Want to Fly

Requirements:

• Register drone with Chinese aviation authority
• Follow all local restrictions
• Check specific site rules
• Consider leaving drone at home

Realistically: Not worth the hassle for tourists. Leave the drone home.

Best Photo Spots

Beijing

Iconic shots:

• Great Wall (Mutianyu or Jinshanling for fewer crowds)
• Forbidden City (arrive at opening)
• Temple of Heaven (sunrise)
• Hutong alleys
• 798 Art District

Shanghai

Must-shoot:

• The Bund (classic skyline)
• Pudong from the Bund (night and day)
• Yu Garden
• French Concession streets
• Lujiazui (from above)

Guilin/Yangshuo

Landscape paradise:

• Li River (boat trip)
• Karst mountains (anywhere)
• Rice terraces (Longji)
• Cormorant fishermen (tourist but photogenic)

Other Highlights

• Zhangjiajie: Avatar mountains
• Huangshan: Misty mountain peaks
• Yunnan: Terraced fields, ethnic villages
• Harbin: Ice festival (winter)
• Xi'an: Terracotta Warriors (no flash)

Practical Tips

Gear Considerations

What to bring:

• Camera body (mirrorless increasingly popular)
• Versatile zoom lens (24-70mm or similar)
• Wide-angle for architecture/landscapes
• Telephoto for details (70-200mm)
• Extra batteries (buy before China, harder to find)
• Multiple memory cards

What to consider:

• Lens cleaning kit (dust and pollution)
• Rain protection
• Comfortable carrying solution
• Portable charger

Battery and Memory

Batteries:

• Cold weather drains batteries fast (Harbin!)
• Keep spares warm (inside pocket)
• Charge every night
• Bring adapter for Chinese outlets

Memory cards:

• More than you think you need
• Backup to phone or portable drive
• Don't cheap out on quality

Protecting Your Gear

Weather challenges:

• Summer: Heat and humidity
• Winter: Extreme cold (especially north)
• Dust and sand (western China)
• Pollution residue (wipe lenses regularly)

Security:

• China is generally safe
• Keep gear close in crowded areas
• Don't leave in obvious places
• Hotel safes for spare gear

People Photography

Approach

What works:

• Friendly smile before shooting
• Show photos on screen after
• Ask permission when appropriate
• Be patient, don't rush
• Offer to send photos (WeChat)

Great Subjects

• Morning tai chi practitioners
• Market vendors
• Tea house patrons
• Temple visitors
• Street food sellers
• Grandparents with grandchildren

Cultural Sensitivity

• Elderly people: Ask first
• Monks and nuns: Ask permission
• Children: Get parent okay
• Working people: Be respectful
• Poverty: Don't exploit

Street Photography

Best Times

• Early morning (6-8 AM): Activities begin, soft light
• Golden hour: Beautiful light on architecture
• Night: Neon, street food, different energy
• Avoid midday: Harsh light, too hot

Techniques

• Blend in as much as possible
• Don't dress "photographer tourist"
• Use smaller camera or phone
• Move with flow of street
• Be patient for moments

Technical Notes

GPS in Photos

• GPS coordinates in China may be offset
• Known issue with Western devices
• Photos may appear "wrong location"
• Nothing you can do about it

Internet and Backup

• Cloud backup requires VPN
• Google Photos blocked
• iCloud works (but slow)
• Consider local backup
• Portable hard drive useful

Editing

• Lightroom works offline
• VPN needed for Creative Cloud sync
• Download what you need before arriving
• Mobile editing apps work fine

Photography Ethics

Do

• Respect "no photo" signs
• Ask permission for portraits
• Share photos with subjects
• Represent China fairly
• Follow local customs

Don't

• Photograph military/government
• Ignore restrictions
• Exploit people's poverty
• Photograph accidents/incidents
• Be aggressive or rude

---

Planning photography adventures in China? The China Survival Kit includes destination guides, offline maps, and practical travel tips.