Taking pictures here could get you arrested

THE Instagrammability of a destination is a key factor when booking a vacation, especially among the younger generation.

Scrolls and scrolls of beaches, cocktails, snowy mountain peaks, sunsets, tropical animals and cultural monuments line the Instagram-sphere.

But there are some places in the world where your snap-happy picture-taking addiction can get you in trouble.

Here are a few places in Asia we advise you to put your camera away and use your own peepers.

Taj Mahal

I wish there was a word more than 'love' itself to convey what I feel for you…as we grow older together, as we work and travel together and as we continue to change with age and the experiences we make there is one thing that will never change… I will always keep falling in love with you. ? Who would have known – when we met each other in the bus? for the first time – that we would celebrate our 6th anniversary at the Taj Mahal?. We actually did not plan it that way. We arrived in #Agra on the 5th without even thinking about our #anniversary (because there is ton of other stuff to think about when travelling #india ) and as we had dinner – we suddenly realized that it is gonna be on the same day. We got up this morning at 4.30am to get to Taj Mahal before sunrise. As we arrived we were overwhelmed by the atmosphere of this place. So much history, so much tragic and so much joy has taken place here. You could literally feel it. We were able to find a quiet place to watch the Taj Mahal away from the usual busy spot, we took this photo and enjoyed this emotional moment. When you were telling me the history of the Taj Mahal, because thats what you always do on places like this?, I looked at you and I saw your lips moving but to be honest I didn't listen… I was just busy thinking about the circumstances of our 60th anniversary.❤ Ich liebe dich. @anna_la_lena ❤ #indiaview #indiapictures #_instaindia_ #indiaclicks #_soi #storiesofindia #india_ig #rangeelorajasthan #mypixeldiary #_coi #_woi #NGTIndia #thediscoverer #tajmahal #tajmahalpalace #wonderful_places #theglobewanderer

A post shared by FLORIAN REICHELT (@florianreichelt) on May 6, 2018 at 9:48am PDT

Ever wondered why the only view you see of India’s Taj Mahal is from the outside?

Photography is entirely banned inside the Unesco World Heritage site.

Some tourists to this New Seven Wonders of the World site have said guards check to make sure you’re not sneaking a snap.

Others, however, said the chaos and sheer tourist numbers mean guards can’t check everyone.

Jiangsu National Security Education Museum

on May 10, 2018 at 1:44am PDT

On the east coast of China, in the bustling city of Nanjing, is the Jiangsu National Security Education Museum.

But don’t think about adding it to your itinerary, as only Chinese citizens are allowed in.

The museum contains spy information, equipment, papers and materials deemed too secretive for foreign eyes.

So it goes without saying, photography is a no-no.

Kumsusan Palace of the Sun

where the bodies of kim il sung and kim jung il are housed. this was the strictest part of our tour – we had a dress code and were not allowed to bring any items into the mausoleum. there was a security check before we went on a travelator (like at the airport) through a long underpass, into the main building. our actions from then were under scrutiny – i was asked to remove my hands from my pockets (i was cold!) the mausoleum was larger than i imagined. prior to entering the chambers where the leaders' embalmed bodies were, we had to go through a blower fan (dust removal?) and then queue in a line. inside the chamber of each leader, we had to bow thrice on each side of their body. we were also shown gifts that were bestowed to the leaders, and the transportation they used which included a train and a boat (how did they get it into the building?). i spotted a macbook pro in the train, supposedly used by kim jong il. hmm. all in all, very surreal. #vscocam #금수산태양궁전 #평양 #조선 #kumsusanpalaceofthesun #dprk #lostwanindprk #wanmeetsworld #4ortyby4orty

A post shared by wanida (@wanidakok) on Oct 30, 2017 at 8:14am PDT

It wouldn’t be a list of forbidden photography locations if North Korea wasn’t on here.

Inside the Kumsusan Palace are relics of North Korea’s past, from old train carriages to cars and clothes to dead people.

Oh yes, the waxy preserved corpses of Kim Jong Il and Kim Il Sung, the current leader Kim Jong Un’s father and grandfather.

Palace guards will check you from head to toe and visitors must pass through a dust machine to ensure they don’t contaminate the area.

Golden Gai

Here, where I can spot the Misfits’ skull and this Asahi sign is my favorite street to photograph at #goldengai in #Shinjuku #Tokyo #japan

A post shared by Jack Galli (@jackgalli88) on May 9, 2018 at 8:32am PDT

In the Shinjuku area of Tokyo in Japan, a network of narrow alleyways is illuminated with bar signs at night.

As many as 290 are based in the area, some so small only half a dozen people can fit inside – at a push.

Technically, tourists aren’t supposed to take photos of the area. But many believe this was a leftover prohibition from when prostitutes lined the streets.

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

A post shared by Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park (@seeuluru) on Oct 31, 2017 at 9:05pm PDT

In the Northern Territory of Australia is one of the nation’s most iconic landmarks, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.

Within the park is spectacular Uluru, also known as Ayers Rocks.

Many people know Uluru was recently closed to climbers, but not many people know photography is banned in the park it sits in.

The park is owned by Anangu people who believe some sites are sacred and photography downgrades their culture.

Tourists are technically allowed to photograph the park but can not use them for commercial purposes.

Presidential Palace, Abu Dhabi

Today in an historic decision, the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Board of Management decided they will close the climb to the top of Uluru on 26 October 2019. In 2010 the Board released its management plan indicating it would close the climb if certain conditions were met, today the Board has decided these three criteria have been met. The date of 26 October is significant to the park’s traditional owners, as it was the date in 1985 the park was handed back to them. For more information visit Parks Australia website. #seeuluru #respectculture #travel #uluru #uluruclimb #australia #seeaustralia

A post shared by Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park (@seeuluru) on Oct 31, 2017 at 9:05pm PDT

Tourists can’t even get close to this place and it can only be viewed from afar.

The laws are so strict around photographing the Presidential Palace that an Iranian tourist was sentenced to four months in jail for snapping away.

They’re not joking around.

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Source: travelwireasia.com