Tibet Film & Photography Production Services & Camera Crews

Are you a media company, brand, ad agency or production company looking for film / photography production support or shooting crew in Tibet? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.

Filming in Tibet

For an introduction to shooting in Tibet see below notes on film locations, permits, when to shoot, unique local stories, costs, tax incentives, crews, talent, equipment, communications, art department, studios, post facilities, visas and work permits for filming, transport, film-friendly accommodation, and safety advice.

Tibet Film Locations

Tibet is an autonomous region of China. The Tibetan plateau is the highest region on earth. The country is famous for its Buddhist and Himalayan mountain locations.

Agricultural locations include farming of sheep, cattle, goats, camels, yaks, donkeys, and horses. The main crops grown are barley, wheat, buckwheat, rye, potatoes, oats, and cotton. Tibet has copper, gold, zinc, lithium, chromite, and uranium mines. Energy locations include hydroelectric plants.

Film locations can be divided into the following regions:

Lhasa

This centrally located region is known for Lhasa, the largest city and capital of Tibet. Lhasa sits at the high altitude of 3,656m (11,995ft). The Potala Palace is a dzong fortress that was the winter palace of the Dalai Lamas. Norbulingka was the summer palace. Jokhang Temple is one of the country’s most sacred temples. Sera Monastery, Ganden Monastery, and Drepung Monastery are the “great three” Gelug university gompas of Tibet. Ramoche Temple is another temple in Lhasa. Lhasa Gonggar Airport, and Lhasa railway station are also available for filming.

Just outside of Lhasa, Yerpa is located on a hillside in Dagzê County. The location includes ancient meditation caves and a sky burial site.

Tsurphu Monastery is an impressive location.

Drigung Monastery is also located in the Lhasa region.

Mount Nyenchen Tanglha is the highest peak of Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains.

Lake Nam is a sacred lake.

Shannan

Shannan is located in the south of the country.

Buddhist monasteries in this area include Samye Monastery, Mindrolling Monastery, Chokorgyel Monastery, Gongkar Chö Monastery, and Tradruk.

Yungbulakang Palace is located in the Yarlung valley.

Yamdrok Lake is a sacred lake.

Shigatse

Shigatse is located in the south of the country.

It is best known for its Himalayan peaks. Mount Everest, the highest mountain peak in the world, is located on Tibet’s border with Nepal. Other mountain peaks of note include Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Shishapangma, Gyachung Kang, Changtse, and Chomo Lonzo.

Buddhist monasteries of note include Tashilhunpo Monastery, Palcho Monastery, Sakya Monastery, and Rongbuk Monastery which lies near the base of the north side of Mount Everest.

Gyantse Dzong is located high above the town of Gyantse.

Ngari

Ngari is located in the west of the country.

Mount Kailash is a high peak that is sacred in Hinduism, Bon, Buddhism, and Jainism.

Gurla Mandhata is another high mountain peak.

Tholing Monastery is located in the remote badlands of far western Tibet.

Tsaparang fortress ruins are perched on a pyramid-shaped rock.

Lake Manasarovar is a sacred lake.

Nakchu

Nakchu is located in the north of the country.

Nyingchi

Nyingchi is located in the southeast of the country. The area is more forested than the rest of Tibet.

Pagsum Lake is a beautiful deep water, high mountain lake.

Namcha Barwa, and Kawagarbo are high mountain peaks.

Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon is regarded by some as the deepest canyon in the world.

Chamdo

Chamdo is located in the east of the country.

Zizhu Temple is an impressive location.

Rakwa Tso is a vast lake lined with peaks and glaciers.

Tibet Film Location Permits

Filming in Tibet is strictly controlled by the Chinese government. Unsanctioned filming can result in arrest and future bans from entering China, and serious problems for local Tibetans involved.

Contact us for location specific information.

When To Shoot?

Much of Tibet is at a high altitude, so allow for acclimatisation. 

Tibet has a dry climate, with year-round cold temperatures in the mountains and plateaus. Temperatures fluctuate greatly between day and night. Tibet has many sunny days throughout the year so appropriate sun protection is a must no matter the season.

Winter runs from November to March. Temperatures are very cold with some roads closed due to heavy snowfall. Spring runs from April to May with clear and cool conditions. Summer runs from May to September with warm days and cold nights. High altitude locations become accessible and grasslands are at their lushest. Fall runs from September to October with clear and cool conditions. Spring and fall are the best seasons for Mt Everest visibility.

Events of interest to filmmakers and photographers include the following:

• Tibetan New Year (Losar) is celebrated sometime between January and March, depending on the Tibetan calendar.
• Monlam Prayer Festival takes place in February.
• Saga Dawa Festival takes place in May / June.
• Ganden Thangka Festival takes place in August.
• Shoton Festival takes place in August.
• Nagqu Horse Racing Festival takes place in August.

Tibetan Buddhism is the main religion, so those holidays are observed. Note, some traditional Tibetan religious festivals are banned.

Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in Tibet.

Unique Local Stories

Brands are looking for local stories that match their brand narrative. Our local teams are a great lead for sourcing those unique stories and characters.

If you are looking for stories for your next shoot, send us your brief and we will pitch you ideas.

If you have a unique story you would like to pitch to a brand anywhere in the world, pitch us your idea. We have well-established processes to ensure that your ideas are properly seen and protected.

Costs & Tax Incentives

Costs. Our Tibetan fixer will negotiate local deals and provide the appropriate level of production support to match every budget.

Tax Incentives. There are currently no government financial incentives designed to attract visiting productions.

Film Crew & Talent

Crews. Local production support is available. Film crews needs to be brought in.

Contact us if you are looking for a director, DP, photographer, videographer (cameraman / camera operator), camera assistant (focus puller), sound operator, grip, gaffer, stylist, hair and makeup, PA / runner, production driver, or any other film crew for your shoot in Tibet.

Talent day rates and buyouts are negotiable.

Tibetan and Mandarin Chinese are the main languages spoken.

Tibetans are the largest ethnic group. Han Chinese are the largest minority group. All other talent looks need to be brought in.

Tibet Film Equipment

Equipment. Bring in equipment to film in Tibet.

Communication. Internet and phones are available in larger population centres.

Communication is key. Our agility and global experience allows us to customise the right communications systems for every shoot.

Web posted casting, scouting, and videoconferencing.

For clients that are unable to attend set we offer a virtual video village solution. This dedicated and secure high-resolution video streaming platform allows clients from one or multiple timezones to view setups without compromise and to participate in real-time with the team on set. Separate systems can be set up for the discrete conversations that are required to make a job run right. Working remotely with our local teams reduces your content production costs, turnaround times, carbon footprint, and risks associated with unpredictable global events.

Art Department, Studios, Backlots, & Post Production

Tibet is not set up to service major commercial shoots. Film infrastructure such as dedicated art department, studios, backlots, and post production does not exist.

Visas & Work Permits

Travel to Tibet is strictly controlled by the Chinese government. Entry restrictions may change dramatically and without prior warning with entry often banned during periods of civil unrest.

To enter Tibet you must have a valid Chinese Visa and a Tibet Entry Permit (TTB). The TBB only allows access to Lhasa and Nagqu. To enter more restricted areas an Alien Travel Permit (PSB) is also required. A Military Permit is required if you want to travel to sensitive military zones. If you are entering Tibet by plane from mainland China, you will need the original permit. If you are arriving by train, you will only need a photocopy of the permit. Permits must be organized through an official agent as part of a pre-arranged tour. Please contact us for contact details of a reliable agent. Once in Tibet you must be accompanied by an official guide. If you leave Lhasa you must also be accompanied by an official car and driver.

Contact your local Chinese embassy or representative for more information.

Transport & Accommodation

Transportation Infrastructure. Much of Tibet has rough slow going roads. If arriving in Lhasa by air be mindful that flying in from a lower altitude city puts you at higher risk of altitude sickness.

Accommodation. Recommended film friendly hotels in Lhasa include:

St. Regis Lhasa Resort
Shambhala Palace

Final Notes

Safety. See here for up to date travel advice.

Down Time. Visit a monastery and watch monks practice debating.

Hire Tibet Production Support & Shooting Crew

If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Tibet, please contact us.

If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Tibet, such as a director, DoP, photographer, videographer (cameraman / camera operator), camera assistant (focus puller), sound operator, grip, gaffer, stylist, hair and makeup, PA / runner, production driver, please contact us.

We are able to provide you with answers, references and bids quickly.