A friend once glanced at the first photo I captured and immediately claimed it was Photoshopped🙄, arguing that there are no lakes in front of the Potala Palace. But in truth, this is an unedited, real photograph taken from a vantage point several kilometers away in Nanshan Park. There’s an artificial lake within the park where you can capture the reflection of the Potala Palace.

The picture shown was taken in April when I was incredibly lucky to experience a snowfall, which covered the usually bare mountains behind the palace in white, adding a serene and majestic backdrop with clouds that resembled ceremonial scarves across the sky, enhancing the solemn and sacred aura of the Potala Palace.

Potala Palace is an unmissable icon, and it’s impossible not to be compelled to photograph it once you’re there. Now allow me to guide you through 5 strategic vantage points I’ve scouted, several of which are especially suited for capturing that perfect shot.

1. Potala Palace Square

The square offers a chance to create reflective images using a tablet, while using the aftereffects of the square’s fountain for water reflections, avoiding the square’s mirrored surface which can be tricky for seamless focus blending. The recommended focal length is about 28mm.

2. Star Moon Bodhi Coffee Shop

The cafe is a beloved spot among photographers, where the price of a coffee grants you access to the rooftop. It’s an excellent location for portrait sessions or setting up a tripod to capture a time-lapse, with an ideal focal length of 140mm.

3. Miqiongri Monastery

The journey up is rough, with dirt paths best navigated by an SUV or similar high-clearance vehicle. This location is prime for capturing the Potala Palace’s less-viewed rear aspect and the composition of several bridges, with focal lengths of approximately 130mm and 280mm respectively.

4. Beside Lhasa Mountain Villa

This spot demands a climb up a steep incline and used to be a hotspot for drone photography before it was banned. It remains an exceptional location for portraits and offers a sweeping view of the Lhasa cityscape. Motorcycles framing the Potala Palace are a common sight here. Picture 3 works well at around 110mm.

5. Nanshan Park

There are some trees planted on the opposite side of the small lake, which are currently not too tall. Pictures 1 and 4 are in different seasons. However, if they grow higher in the future, they might obscure the view of the Potala Palace, suggesting that some landscapes are best captured sooner rather than later.

By the way, picture 2 was taken in the Hotel Hampton by Hilton Lhasa, which is also a nice spot for Potala Palace photography.

These are the prime photography spots for capturing the essence of the Potala Palace I wanted to share. In future posts, look out for my captures from the Everest region, Yamdrok Lake, Namtso, and the picturesque landscapes of Nyingchi. Keep an eye on this space for more.