-- Xinjiang through the lens of 100 Chinese and Foreign photographers

A program named "Photography Tours of 100 Chinese and Foreign Photographers to Xinjiang in the Four Seasons," as an effort to capture images of Xinjiang through their eyes, was jointly sponsored by the State Council Information Office, the China Photographers Association and the Information Office of the Government of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

A total of 59 photographers from 22 foreign countries, including the US, Canada, Britain, France, Australia, Germany, Italy and Spain, were invited to take part in the program, along with over 40 photographers from Chinese mainland and Taiwan.

They experienced the colorful lives of local residents. All these inspired them to record the different natural views and folk customs in the four seasons, its progress, as well as the solidarity of different ethnic groups, harmony and stability evident in the region from unique angles in the 300,000 photos they took.

The photographers traveled over 200,000 km during their 57 days in Xinjiang's 15 prefectures and cities, visiting from January 9 to 21, June 5 to 18, August 4 to 19 and September 25 to October 8 in four groups.

From Photographers:

Great trip in terrific country
Thank you Lee and Qi De for leading us so well
Thank you!

                                          —— Bob  McCree

What a wonderful experience to a wonderful country
Thank you for the memories.

                                          —— Stephanie Handley

This trip has been special, the people, the scenery & the food!
Great to meet old friends from Tibet in 2005.

                                          —— Lynn Clayton  APSNZ,  AFIAP

I was deeply by this wonderful country
We have seen a lot and even after two times in Xinjiang.

                                          —— Brigitte Hiss

Much luck to you
And thank you for kind hospitality in Xinjiang.

                                          —— Andrew  Howard  CANDANA

Thank again for you did for us
We will come again in Xinjiang sooner.

                                           —— Jacky Martin
                                                   Stephane Martin

(China.org.cn by staff reporter Wang Ke March 30, 2007)