Photographer Tom Carter’s CHINA: Portrait of a People documents the 56 wide-ranging ethnic groups living in the 33 provinces that compose the vast, overwhelmingly diverse nation.

Backpacking through every region of China over the course of two years, the photojournalist met and documented everyday people who live and work far from the tourist-traveled trails. Gaining his subjects’ trust, while at times risking arrest, Carter captured the fascinating faces that comprise the People’s Republic of China, creating a stunning document in the process.

Visit Tom Carter’s website, read an interview with the photographer, and buy a copy of the book.

Click through below for a gallery of images from the book.

Chengdu: a bastion of urban modernity