Photography in Gonggashan

Gonggashan (Minya Konka) Photo Spot: Tinong Mijing (Tinong Hidden Land)

Tinong Mijing (meaning Tinong Hidden Land) is one of the closest locations to see Minya Konka Range mountains and has gain fame among photo lovers. Its location is at a saddle part of the mountain range west to Minya Konka (Yulongxi Valley) and a road built to it at 4600m. Tinong is getting popular and we have seen more people going there over the years. It does not have a lake to present mirror views of mountains. Tinong is named after the village name Tinong Village.

Minya Konka Photography Tinong Mijing Sunset on Minya Konka

Location and Getting There

Tinong Photo Spot is located 65km southwest to Xinduqiao and by driving it takes around 2 hours to get to if no traffic. You are recommended to start early than usual if you are traveling in busy seasons including summer and autumn. The photo spot is better accessed by 4X4 cars to cope with the last 10km of unpaved and bumpy road. The check in point where visitors buy tickets also offer transfer service if your car is not strong enough to go up.

Travel Season

Tinong is open from 01 May to 31 October each year. The rest of the time it will be shut off for fire hazard and risks. The busy season is July, August and October. In summer you have 50% chance of seeing foggy weather but the mountains are green. In autumn (late September and October) the chance of clear days are higher but the mountains are not green. In Summer the chance of road being affected by landslide is low because the drive from Xinduqiao to Tinong is on more open valleys and usually less landslide risks than going more south to places such as Gadeji.

Minya Konka Photography Parking Lot by the Pass

Minya Konka Photography View from the Top

Minya Konka Photography Minya Konka Mountain Range

Suggestions and Planning

Tinong is one of the best options for taking Minya Konka photos in a close range without long driving (it may not be the case anymore in when the road over Yaha Pass is completed in 2026). Comparing to Yuzixi and Gedilamu this place is much closer to the mountains even though the drive is longer but the drive is relatively easy (longer and more gradual than shorter but steep). The only disadvantage is it will shut off for half an year in winter and spring time.

Using phone cameras can get very good photos of the mountains and views. Flying drone is allowed in Tinong. Sunset time is usually between 7pm and 8:15pm. You will see other people there but you can usually find spots for good photos by waling higher up the ridge. We suggest you to plan for at least 2.5h driving up this place.

There is no hotel or lodge by the photo location of Tinong but you can find very simple lodges available in the village of Tinong (around 45min drive from the photo spot). There is no restrictions on camping but there seems to be hard to find a place for camping by the photo location of Tinong.

Minya Konka Photography Mt. Gongga 7500m

Ticket Information

Per person CNY25 to get in to Tinong. No other costs from the place other than the admission fee.

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