China's research vessel Xuelong, or Snow Dragon, is anchored at its base in east China's Shanghai Municipality, April 8, 2012. The research vessel has just returned to Shanghai from China's 28th Antarctic expedition. The crew travelled some 28,000 nautical miles in five months, with 47 tasks performed during the expedition. [Xinhua]

Lin Leizheng and other crew members of China's research vessel Xuelong, or Snow Dragon, step off the ship at its base in east China's Shanghai Municipality, April 8, 2012. The research vessel has just returned to Shanghai from China's 28th Antarctic expedition. The crew travelled some 28,000 nautical miles in five months, with 47 tasks performed during the expedition. [Xinhua]

Citizens visit the steering cabin of China's research vessel Xuelong, or Snow Dragon, at its base in east China's Shanghai Municipality, April 8, 2012. The research vessel has just returned to Shanghai from China's 28th Antarctic expedition. The crew travelled some 28,000 nautical miles in five months, with 47 tasks performed during the expedition. [Xinhua]

Crew member Xu Wenqiang (C) of China's research vessel Xuelong, or Snow Dragon, receives welcome at the base of the ship in east China's Shanghai Municipality, April 8, 2012. The research vessel has just returned to Shanghai from China's 28th Antarctic expedition. The crew travelled some 28,000 nautical miles in five months, with 47 tasks performed during the expedition. [Xinhua]

Students of Shanghai Jincai High School wait to visit China's research vessel Xuelong, or Snow Dragon, at its base in east China's Shanghai Municipality, April 8, 2012. The research vessel has just returned to Shanghai from China's 28th Antarctic expedition. The crew travelled some 28,000 nautical miles in five months, with 47 tasks performed during the expedition. [Xinhua]