Photos here are from China's northwest.  They were not taken by myself, but by some American friends who have just (April 2006) come back from Lanzhou, Gansu. They were overwhelmed with what they saw:  the scenery, the culture，and, more importantly, the people.  The lands are almost barren, but the people there keep their smiles, and their hope for a better future. 

Lanzhou is far west of the more famous city of Xi'an, but was a major stop on the ancient "Silk Road".  For a map of China, and some introduction, both from China Tour.com, click the links.