A Complete Guide to Photographing the Divine Bird, the Red-billed Chough, at Songzanlin Monastery in Shangri-La

Shangri-La, the closest place to heaven
Encounter the guardian divine bird of Songzanlin Monastery—the Red-billed Chough🦅
Locals regard it as a symbol of good fortune, a spirit of this sacred land✨

At first glance, it looks like a large black eagle soaring
Upon closer look, you’ll discover its unique spirituality
Remember these little tips to identify its appearance:
🐦 Red-billed Chough features:
• A "little black spirit" about 40cm tall
• Shines with a blue-green metallic luster under sunlight
• Distinctive slender red bill
• Elegant slender legs like a magazine model

🦅 Common eagle features:
• Always showing off a big bulky body
• Mostly dressed in dark brown tones
• Signature hooked beak and thick claws

📍 Songzanlin Monastery pilgrimage tips:
Ticket: 90 RMB/person (includes sightseeing bus)
Opening hours: 7:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Friendly reminder⚠️:
Please hold a sincere heart
This is a sacred site of Tibetan Buddhism
Do not play around or speak disrespectfully

📸 Divine bird photography guide:
Best shooting times:
Morning 7-9 AM for the bird’s morning exercise
Evening 5-6 PM for its return

Professional camera settings:
Shutter speed no less than 1/1000s
Use a telephoto lens over 200mm
Recommended RAW + continuous shooting mode

Stunning composition suggestions:
• Divine bird soaring high + golden roof background
• Rule of thirds composition to highlight sacredness
• Capture the moment of wings spreading for the most breathtaking shot