Appearing on the world stage with the 2008 Olympic games in Beijing, China has intrigued Westerners since the days of Marco Polo. French journalist Christina Lionnet takes us on an exciting journey through this vast and varied land. With a clear sensibility, Lionnet's photographs offer a painterly exploration of the paradoxes and complexities of the Chinese landscape as well as its soul. Her lens captures a dazzling array of century-spanning architecture, intriguing peoples and age-old customs. The ambiguous beauty of an ancient and enigmatic culture is masterfully visualized.