China's exploration ship Xue Long makes its way through ice-covered Antarctic waters on its way home.

Before heading back on March 10, scientists with the 24th Chinese Antarctic expedition team had completed 37 scientific studies and 10 logistic programs. The 188-strong expedition team arrived at Zhongshan Station, one of China's two research bases in the South Pole, on December 11, 2007.

Inset: Chinese scientists pose for a group picture after making only the second trip ever to Dome A, the highest point on the Antarctic Continent at 4,093 meters above sea level, on January 12.