The "Graduation Creative Practice Course" offered by the School of Fine Arts at Nanjing Normal University has been running for nearly 13 years, and travel photography is a tradition in their major. Over the past 13 years, Sichuan, Yunnan, Tibet, and other regions have been common practice destinations for faculty and students. Recently, the school held a photography exhibition called "On the Road," featuring over 20 works created by senior photography and media art students during a one-month Tibet travel photography trip.
One-month Tibet trip costs just over 3,000 RMB per person
The photos capture towering snow-capped mountains, monks debating scriptures, clouds stretching across the sky, and nighttime outdoor parties... documenting every moment of the group’s journey through Tibet. The photography exhibition space is not large, but visitors come in an endless stream. "So beautiful, so shocking!" exclaimed a student surnamed Wu after viewing the exhibit, while Zhu, a teacher from the art school, praised the works as "evocative and thoughtful."
Led by instructor Yu, over 20 students took a two-day train ride to Lhasa, Tibet. The stunning scenery along the way into Tibet, the grandeur of the Potala Palace, and the charm of Nyingchi all left a deep impression on the students. "The most unforgettable was the Jokhang Temple," recalled Yao Yue. "The murals there are very distinctive, and we also listened to a special explanation by the monks." In addition to the breathtaking scenery, they also encountered much Tibetan Buddhist culture while taking photos.
Similar to backpackers on a self-guided tour, they spent only 3,000–3,500 RMB per person for the month. It is understood that in previous years, groups traveling to Sichuan spent 1,200–1,800 RMB per person per month, and those going to Yunnan spent 1,800–2,500 RMB. Many find it hard to believe the costs could be so low. Yang explained that they stayed in youth hostels with beds for 15 RMB each or Tibetan courtyards, "cooked our own meals with groceries we bought or had meals together outdoors... everything was about saving as much as possible."
Risks are always present, and they "quietly" encourage each other
Of course, such travel always comes with risks. Instructor Yu recounted taking students to climb Gongba Snow Mountain. To photograph the sunset over the snow-capped peak, they descended the mountain after dark. Unfamiliar terrain and rugged paths made many students feel scared. Unable to see the path, they used their phone flashlights for light, and huddled closer together due to the cold mountain temperatures. "The environment was harsh, and we also had to constantly watch our cameras and equipment, afraid that any mishap might damage them," said Yao Yue. That night, to conserve energy, everyone walked downhill in silence, holding hands tightly. In Yao Yue’s words, they were "quietly" encouraging each other.
During this trip to Tibet, the teachers only ever gave suggestions—the students themselves made all the decisions about where to go and how to get there. They hitchhiked and hiked on foot. Instructor Yu believes these experiences teach them how to travel and how to live. "At first, the students might not be used to it, but gradually they immerse themselves in the joy of interacting with nature." He also found that through this process, students slowly discover and correct their own shortcomings, and are also happy to learn from each other.
After experiencing many "firsts," they remained "on the road"...
This unique course has allowed many students to experience many firsts in their lives during the trip: the first time being so far from home, the first time camping, the first time descending a mountain at night, the first time staying in a Tibetan courtyard, the first time cooking for themselves... This is a course about humans and nature, as Instructor Yu explained his understanding of the class. He also believes that this kind of backpacker-style self-guided travel is a necessary experience for photography majors.
"It's a kind of spiritual freedom, and also a gathering of hearts," one student wrote alongside their work. Moreover, the trip did not end with their return to Nanjing. They organized the photography exhibition to showcase the places they visited and share their stories of growth through the lens. As the theme of the photography exhibition goes: "We hold our cameras, seeking all that is beautiful. We are on the road, always on the road."