China is a photographer's dream — from misty karst rivers to neon megacities. Shoot well, and shoot respectfully.
The money shots
- Great Wall at Mutianyu/Jinshanling — sunrise or late afternoon for raking light and no crowds
- The Bund, Shanghai — blue hour (20 min after sunset) from the promenade; or from a North Bund rooftop
- Xianggong Hill, Yangshuo — karst peaks above the Li River at dawn
- Xi'an City Wall — golden hour with lanterns
- Hongya Cave, Chongqing — the stacked neon city after dark
- Huangshan — sea of clouds, worth the 4am alarm
Etiquette and rules
- Always ask before photographing people, especially elders and ethnic minorities — a smile and gesture at your camera works
- No photos: some temple halls, certain museum exhibits (signs posted), military anything, airports' security areas
- Museums ban flash; some ban tripods
- Performances: check policy — many shows allow photos but ban video
Drones — strictly regulated
- All drones must be registered (UOM system) and flights logged; many areas require advance approval
- Absolute no-fly: Beijing (entire city center), airports, military zones, many parks and scenic areas
- Violations mean confiscation and fines — if in doubt, leave it in the bag. Honestly, for a typical tourist trip, leave it at home
Gear notes
- Haze softens midday light — shoot mornings and evenings
- A polarizer helps with river/glass scenes
- Spare batteries in winter (Harbin drains them fast)