Located in the western part of Tibet, Ngari is a paradise for photography enthusiasts. At its core stands the majestic Mount Kailash, revered as the "source of many rivers" and known as the "center of the world".

This iconic peak is a must-visit destination for any photographer. Overlooking the sacred Lake Manasarovar, Mount Kailash stands in the distance from Mount Namonanyi and the enigmatic Lake Rakshastal. Here, the stunning landscapes of the Ngari Plateau unveil their beauty, mesmerizing tourists and photographers alike.

For you who are passionate about photography, capturing the divine essence of Mount Kailash is a shared dream for all trips to Ngari.

However, one question remains: from which vantage point does Mount Kailash offer its most breathtaking view?

1. Drirapuk Monastery Campsite: The Ideal Spot for Close-up Shots of Mount Kailash

To capture Mount Kailash's most stunning moments, there's no better spot than the Drirapuk Monastery Campsite. Here, Mount Kailash is not just a distant, tiny point but a magnificent landscape dominating your entire view, offering an unparalleled, up-close perspective.

The ideal spot for Close-up shots of Mount Kailash in Drirapuk Monastery.

While shooting, creatively include elements like massive boulders, prayer flags, and white stupas to add depth and color to your pictures. This not only enhances the visual appeal but also infuses a sense of the locale's spiritual significance. Moreover, Drirapuk Monastery Campsite serves as the first night's stay on the Mount Kailash pilgrimage, allowing you to comfortably capture the majestic beauty of this sacred mountain in a serene setting.

2. Chiu Monastery: The Best Location for Photos of Mount Kailash with Lake Manasarovar in the Foreground

Chiu Monastery, positioned at the northwest corner of Lake Manasarovar, is an ideal location for photographing Mount Kailash, using the lake as a stunning foreground. This vantage point beautifully merges the hilltop monastery and the fluttering prayer flags with the expansive waters of the sacred lake. The monastery provides a captivating foreground contrasted against the lake's impressive backdrop, creating a scene where two different worlds meet: the lake's vast, ocean-like expanse and the spiritually vibrant monastery adorned with colorful prayer flags.

Photographing Lake Manasarovar and Mount Kailash at Chiu Monastery

From Chiu Monastery, looking northward offers a view of Mount Kailash's southern face. Although it's not possible to include both the peak and the lake in one shot from this angle, photographers still favor this spot for its unique geographical positioning.

About 32 kilometers from Mount Kailash, this shooting location benefits from the extending road that adds depth and leads the eye towards the holy mountain. Capturing pilgrims on this path with a telephoto lens, as they devoutly approach Mount Kailash, allows for a powerful composition. This technique not only freezes a moment of deep religious significance but also creates a deeply meaningful and richly layered image.

3. Prayer Flag Square: The Excellent Shot of Mount Kailash with Colorful Prayer Flags

During the Mount Kailash trek, Prayer Flag Square, encountered on the first day, stands out as an excellent photography spot for the sacred mountain. While the views of Mount Kailash from this point offer limited angles, not fully showcasing its symmetrical peak, you can still capture its stunning presence, even with just a smartphone.

At Prayer Flag Square, your smartphone can seize the breathtaking scenery of Mount Kailash, particularly impressive when colorful prayer flags form your shot's foreground, enriching the photo with vibrant hues. The area's diverse landscape, featuring mountains, rivers, and varied scenic elements, provides an array of photographic subjects. Whether you're shooting sunrises, sunsets, starry nights, or star trails, this square offers a splendid backdrop.

However, for capturing night skies, star trails, or the Milky Way over Mount Kailash, using a professional DSLR camera is recommended. This equipment better captures the intricate details and quality of these spectacular celestial scenes.

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Tour Route: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - E.B.C - Saga - Kailash Trek - Darchen - Lake Manasarovar - Saga - Gyirong - Tingri - Lhasa

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4. South Bank Viewpoint of Lake Rakshastal: The Best Place for Capturing Distant Vistas of Mount Kailash

Many photographers are captivated by the task of capturing the distant allure of Mount Kailash, and the viewing platform on the south shore of Lake Rakshastal stands as an ideal location for this. Although it's over 50 kilometers away from Mount Kailash, the mountain's outline remains strikingly clear. When photographing from this vantage point, incorporating part of the lake into your shot can yield a composition with distinct layers. The serene waters of Lake Rakshastal create a harmonious contrast with Mount Kailash, resulting in a uniquely captivating scene. To capture finer details of the mountain visible to the naked eye, using a telephoto lens is recommended for sharper and clearer images.

Take a Mount Kailash photo in south bank viewpoint of Lake Rakshastal.

5. Seralung Monastery: Prime for Sunrise and Sunset of Mount Kailash

Seralung Monastery stands out as the perfect spot for capturing Mount Kailash during sunrise and sunset. Located just 5 kilometers east of Hor town, near the wetlands on the eastern shore of the sacred Lake Manasarovar, this location offers unparalleled views. Here, you can enjoy the breathtaking sunrises and sunsets over both Mount Kailash and Mount Namonanyi. The panorama is expansive, beautifully merging the sacred mountain and the holy lake in a single, awe-inspiring frame.

To truly do justice to the spectacular sight of Mount Kailash reflected in Lake Manasarovar, a telephoto lens is recommended. This allows you to capture the stunning natural spectacle in detail. Whether you're an amateur or a professional photographer, shooting the sunrise or sunset at Mount Kailash from this vantage point promises to yield breathtakingly beautiful photographs.

The sunset of Mount Kailash in Seralung Monastery

6. Darchen: A Superb Setting for Photographing the South Slope of Mount Kailash

Darchen, nestled at the base of Mount Kailash's southern slope, offers two ideal locations for capturing the beauty of this part of the mountain. The first notable spot is the Mount Kailash Viewpoint, located just three kilometers east of Darchen town. This vantage point provides a splendid view of the southern slope's peak.

The second recommended spot is a grassland area situated five kilometers west of Darchen. This location boasts a broad, open vista, perfect for taking in and photographing the full panoramic beauty of Mount Kailash’s southern face.

Darchen town nestled at the base of Mount Kailash's southern slope.

7. Dolma La Pass: The Perfect Spot for the Lake of Compassion and Glacier of Mount Kailash

Among the various photography locations around Mount Kailash, Dolma La Pass, perched at a lofty altitude of 5,630 meters, presents a uniquely challenging yet rewarding opportunity. Here, you can capture the breathtaking beauty of the Lake of Compassion and the Mount Kailash Glacier.

The small yet striking Lake of Compassion, also known as Gauri Kund, reminiscent of a green emerald, rests peacefully beside the glacier. From this perspective, you can photograph the prayer flags adorning Dolma La Pass, the tranquil waters of Lake of Compassion, and the glaciers cascading down Mount Kailash's western slope.

Witness the Lake of Compassion after passing Dolma La Pass

This spot is where the grandeur of nature and the depth of human spiritual beliefs converge, creating a landscape that is both visually stunning and rich in meaning. The scene is naturally awe-inspiring and resonates with deep symbolism, compelling visitors to freeze this moment in time with their cameras, turning it into a cherished and lasting memory.

Essential Tibet Entry Permit for Photographing Sacred Mount Kailash

The Tibet Travel Permit is a mandatory document for visiting Mount Kailash in Tibet. Generally, this permit needs to be applied for through a qualified local Tibetan travel agency, as individuals can’t apply for it directly. Additionally, other necessary documents, such as an Alien’s travel permit and a military permit, are also required.

As an experienced local travel agency in Tibet, we specialize in obtaining the Tibet Travel Permit and all other required documentation for your Tibet tours. We're here to handle all the details of your Mount Kailash tour, ensuring that your journey is smooth and enjoyable from start to finish.

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Tour Route: Kathmandu – Gyirong – Saga – Mt.Kailash – Lake Manasarovar – Darchen – Saga – Gyirong – Kathmandu

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Best Time for Mount Kailash Photography: April to June and September to October

The ideal time for photographing Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar coincides with the best time to visit Mount Kailash, specifically between April to June and September to October. These periods are also perfect for the Kailash Kora, a spiritual pilgrimage around the mountain.

During these months, the weather in the Ngari region is pleasantly mild, with warm and comfortable sunshine, not too cold, and with higher oxygen levels in the air, reducing the risk of altitude sickness. The clear weather also provides excellent conditions for photography, especially for capturing Mount Kailash.

Enjoy a clear view of Mount Kailash and pleasant weather for trekking in the best seasons.

Additionally, this timeframe is ideal for night sky and Milky Way photography, facilitating the capture of stunning images.

While July and August have agreeable temperatures, they fall within Tibet's rainy season, often leading to cloud-covered mountain peaks and obstructing clear views of Mount Kailash.

Moreover, the warmer summer temperatures cause the snow and ice to melt, revealing the mountain's gray-black rocky surface and diminishing the chances of capturing images of its snowy peaks.

Essential Photography Equipment Checklist for Mount Kailash Tour

For a photography expedition to Mount Kailash, here's a streamlined gear checklist:

Camera: Opt for a DSLR, medium format, or mirrorless camera with high-resolution and quality sensors.

Lenses: Bring a variety of lenses, including wide-angle, standard, and telephoto, to adapt to different shooting scenarios.

Tripod: A sturdy tripod is essential, especially for night scenes, astrophotography, or long-exposure shots.

ND Filter: Neutral Density filters are crucial for controlling exposure, particularly useful for sunrise and sunset shots.

Remote Shutter: Use a remote control or intervalometer to reduce camera shake, a must for long exposures.

Extra Batteries and Memory Cards: Pack ample memory cards and backup batteries, as access to power and storage might be limited in remote areas.

Cleaning Kit: Carry tools for cleaning your camera and lenses to maintain them in pristine condition.

Protective Accessories: Include waterproof covers, dust covers, and a moisture-resistant case to protect your camera from the elements.

Backpack or Camera Bag: Choose a comfortable backpack or camera bag that fits your camera, lenses, tripod, and other essentials, ensuring easy transportation.

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Tour Route: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - E.B.C - Saga - Kailash Trek - Darchen - Lake Manasarovar - Saga - Gyirong - Tingri - Lhasa

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Conclusion

Whether you're a photography aficionado or simply enamored with natural landscapes, Mount Kailash is an unmissable destination. It offers not just breathtaking natural vistas but also a deep dive into the mystical religious essence and rich cultural history of Tibet.

In this guide, we've explored the prime photography spots around Mount Kailash, hoping to assist you in capturing the mountain's majestic beauty. From the intimate perspectives at Drirapuk Monastery Campsite to the grand sunrise vistas at Seralung Monastery, each spot offers a unique aspect, ready for your exploration.

Remember, planning a Mount Kailash tour requires diligent preparation. Before embarking on this sacred journey, ensure you have secured your Tibet Entry Permit and other essential travel documents. Also, gear up with your photography equipment to capture and narrate your own unique experiences in this remarkable place.