People explore the Antarctic Peninsula. [Photo by Huang Guowei/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

There are a thousand Antarctics in a thousand people's eyes. Icebergs, sea, penguins, seals and a variety of wildlife living in a world of purity and peace … But the southernmost paradise, when you finally land on it, simply dwarfs anything you imagined.

The stunning natural and ecological beauty, together with the snowy land and glaciers that came into being over millions of years, make you feel like a drop in the bucket, leaving you with a feeling of humility and awe. The Antarctic was a must-visit on our "bucket list". After flying some 20,000 kilometers, covering over half the circumference of the earth (40,000 km), we finally landed in the world's southernmost city, Ushuaia, where we boarded a cruise ship and began our fantastic journey to the Antarctic.