Other Tourist Scams in Lhasa

Photographer Fee Extortion at Potala Palace

Unofficial individuals positioned around the Potala Palace forecourt on Potala Square and near the Jokhang Temple entrance on Barkhor Square demand payment after tourists take photographs near certain angles or backdrops. They claim to be "official photo zone attendants" collecting a CNY 50–200 per-shot fee, and become aggressive if payment is refused. No such official per-shot fee exists at either site beyond the general admission ticket.