May I Take Photos Here?

How to use this card

1. Save it before you travel. Download the whole pack from /rescue-cards/ and it works offline — no app, no data plan.
2. Show the big Chinese line to whoever you are talking to. They read characters; the English at the bottom is for you.
3. Say it out loud too if they hesitate. A spoken request gets a faster answer than a silent card, and repeating it removes all doubt.
4. Read the English to understand the reply.

What they will likely say

• “可以拍，那边可以。” — Yes, you can take photos over there.
• “不可以拍照。” — You may not take photos.
• “这里不能拍，没有闪光灯也不行。” — No photos here — not even without flash.
• “可以拍，不要用闪光灯。” — You can, just no flash.

Pro tips

• 中国 (Zhōngguó, “in China”) is the standard answer to “may I”, whether the question is about photos, filming, drones, food or tipping. Learn this one word.
• A crossed-out camera icon (禁止拍照) on a sign is a red circle with a slash — universal, and nobody will be annoyed if you check.
• Drones are effectively illegal for visitors and will be confiscated at the first checkpoint. Never launch one in China.

Related guides

• Full guide — background reading for this situation

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This card is one of the TravelHubChina phrase cards — bilingual, offline, and verified against how people actually talk in China rather than textbook grammar. The full set is free at travelhubchina.com/rescue-cards/.