Songzanlin Monastery — Tibetan Princess Photoshoot

Somewhere between “ethereal Tibetan princess” and a “porcelain doll” 😂

Did a spontaneous photoshoot at the beautiful Songzanlin Monastery after my driver recommended it - and honestly, for RMB399, it was quite the experience. The package included costume rental, makeup/styling, 30+ raw photos and 9 edited shots. I asked for a more natural makeup look… but let’s just say the makeup artist and I may have had different definitions of “natural”.

The shoot itself was done outside the monastery grounds, against the stunning backdrop of the golden rooftops. Only after the session did we properly enter the monastery to explore on our own. Often called the “Little Potala Palace,” Songzanlin Monastery is the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan, with centuries-old prayer halls, intricate murals and panoramic views that make the whole place feel incredibly serene and majestic.

Afterwards, we headed back to the studio to select the photos… only to realise they don’t help with makeup removal or hair undoing🥹. So I spent the rest of the night wandering around Shangri-La looking absolutely unhinged in full glam and teased hair. What a cultural experience!

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📍 香格里拉松贊林寺 Shangri-La Sōngzànlín Sì | Originally posted on Instagram