Where is Photography, absolutley, not permitted in China (vise-versa)??

Question

I feel like in most places in China, Beijing especially, you can't take photos. I know photography is not permitted at the Terrocotta army place. But I want to know if photography is allowed at Tianamen Square and The Forbidden City.

Can you guys name famous/well known places where I can or cannot take pictures because I'm going to China soon and I don't want my camera taken or something like that.

Thanks.

Answer 1

I wonder ... are you really planning to go to China for vacation???

IF YOU CONCERN YOUR CAMERA WOULD BE TAKEN AWAY (who would do that? police? army?) BECAUSE OF JUST USING IT TO TAKE PHOTOS OF HISTORICAL SITES, then it implies that you know nothing about China and you think it is an unsafe place for tourists! In my opinion, you should go to somewhere else, spend your money in somewhere you think it is safe and without worries in advance!

If you know how to search information online (or if you would have the interest to do so, then google - China photos ... you can find tons of photos took by people from different parts of the world that have been to China!

http://martinwilliams.tripod.com/beidaihe/beidaihetown.html
http://martinwilliams.tripod.com/dongzhiming/dongzhiming.html

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-191501619-beijing_vacations-i;_ylt=AnBLhHHZLN512toxgGjgnBzlDmoL

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I go to China very often and I take as many photos as I want with my digital camera or my cell phone, so as the local Chinese there. (Certainly, I've never been to any militery facilities as a normal traveler!)

Answer 2

I live in China, have for the last year and am a transplanted American.

I can take photo's anywhere I want with the exception of military instillations. In that case, I'd ask first.

The only time I have been prevented from taking photo's is some relics in the Museum in shanghai, there are signs that say no photo's. Probably because the rooms are darkened and they don't want people using a flash.

I have been told one time not to take photo's in an upscale restaurant.

Military is a no brainer. The museum, some in America has the same restictions. The restuarant, it is private property and can prevent people from using camera's at their discretion.

China and the USA apparently have the same regulations. Military and things that are a state secret or very sensitive, a no-no. Private property the same thing. Just use your common sense and if in doubt, just ask. The worst they will do is say no.

Peace

Answer 3

I went to China in March, and I was able to take photographs everywhere I went. You are allowed to take photographs of the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an, you just can't use a flash. Here is a list of the places I went:

In Beijing:
Tiananmen Square
The Forbidden City
The Great Wall of China
The Summer Palace
Ding Tomb
Sacred Road
Temple of Heaven

In Xian:
The Terracotta Warriors (No Flash)
The City Wall
The Bell Tower
Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Answer 4

I spent three weeks in China last year. I was in Beijing, Changsha and Guanzhou. I took pictures of anything and everything. I even took pictures of military in Tianamen Square and of soldiers marching in Guanzhou. I also took pictures in the Forbidden City. No one seemed upset at all about any pictures I took. I say have fun and take some great pictures!

Answer 5

Photography is definately allowed at Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and all other tourist sites. The only thing you're not allowed to take pictures of is military & some police installations and equipment.

Answer 6

Here is my experience last week:
I was busy buying fake Coach and Gucci wallets from a man in the underground walkway at Peoples Square in ShangHai.. some girls came up and started taking pictures of the scene. One of the vendors stood up and grabbed the lense right off her camera and through it on the ground.
A policeman watched the whole thing.
I still bought my wallets but I think he broke her lens.

Answer 7

Who told you that you can't take photos? (and terra-cotta soldiers is NOT in Beijing)

The police is not going to take away your camera unless you do something really stupid with it. (like posing with your pants down or something)

The top military site usually doesn't allow photographs, but you can't get in there anyway.

Other places like Mao's Masouleum does not allow photographs is usually because they don't want you to use the flash in a dark room.

Answer 8

China, apart from photographing military/classified installations,which all countries of the world prohibit, is not paranoid about tourists photographing historical,commercial,residential or any other places and buildings of public interest,of course unlike the USA,where the Homeland Security,on mere suspicion of photographing, packs you off straight to Gitmo Bay,where you would continue to rot without any recourse to justice.

Answer 9

You posted in my previous post implying that I'm a fake posing as an Illegal Immigrant. We'll to provide you with the details and give you a better understanding. I was brought over at the age of two by my parents, since then I've lived and grew up here. Now, I'm at the age of 18 a high school graduate attending college. To clear it all up, No I am no Fake.