Police in northwest China are asking tourists not to stand in the middle of the road to snap pictures at a popular photography hotspot.

The desert road in the city of Golmud in Qinghai Province, dubbed the "Long Highway" online, is the ideal background for shutterbugs looking for a photo shoot in the desert. Thanks to its geographical features, the route looks like it is climbing at a very steep angle when photographed from a certain angle.

For years, motorists driving along the China National Highway 315 (G315), which links Qinghai Province and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, would pull over their cars for a few clicks. But recently, daring drivers have been stepping to the middle of the highway for that Instagram-worthy photo.

The new trend has brought about safety concerns. Since 2018, eight traffic accidents have taken place on that stretch, according to the department of public security in Qinghai.

In response, traffic authorities have increased their patrols in the area, set up warning signs and repeatedly issued warnings on social media urging people to clear the road for passing vehicles. Despite the efforts, many continue to pull the stunt.

Local police have counted 30 such incidents on average every day since the beginning of this year, with certain days witnessing upwards of 100 people obstructing traffic in their attempt to click photos.

A clip posted on Douyin, the Chinese version of popular short video app TikTok, earlier this month showed cars parked on the side of the road as people tried to locate the right angle to replicate the viral image.

"It feels safe to take pictures here, because there are so many people around, and the cars certainly don't go too fast," the travel blogger said.

But authorities have clarified that this section of the 3,063-kilometer highway receives a lot of traffic, especially heavy trucks going between Qinghai and Xinjiang. The closest city to the route is more than 100 kilometers away, making any rescue operation in case of a serious accident relatively difficult.

This trend is not only dangerous, but against the law as well, according to experts.

Zhou Hao, a Beijing-based lawyer told the Beijing Youth Daily newspaper that pedestrians blocking the road is illegal.

Traffic police in the area told the same publication that they've witnessed a gradual decline in people standing in the middle of the highway after patrols were increased, but admitted that for some, taking nice photos tops maintaining public safety.

(Cover image from CFP)