The Chinese refer to their country as Zhong Guo, which literally translates as Middle Kingdom. Claiming to be the center of the earth may seem a bit arrogant, but spend 6 months bicycling across China, like I did, and you may also be awed by the expanse of landscape, culture and humanity. My camera was phritzing on this trip, so there aren't as many pictures as I'd like here. However, some of my favourite photographs can be found in this picture gallery.

Xiahe: Tibetan Boots Tibetan monks leave their boots outside. Labrang Si monastery, Xiahe, China.	Xiahe: Curious Monk A young Tibetan monk peeks into a prayer hall at Labrang Si buddhist temple.	China's Singing Sands Ming Sha Shan (Mountains of Singing Sands): Dunhuang, Gansu Province, People's Republic of China
Zhangye: Buddha Reclining China's largest reclining Buddha at Dafo Si buddhist temple in Zhangye, China	Beijing Dragon Brazier Kong Miao (Confucius Temple), Beijing, China	Mingsha Shan: Desert Shadowplay Standing in the desert sands of Mingsha Shan, I snapped this photographic self-portrait of my shadow.