A foreigner takes photos with a mobile phone at the opening ceremony of Pingyao International Photography Festival in Pingyao county, North China's Shanxi province, Sept 19, 2014. [Photo/Xinhua]

The 2014 China Pingyao International Photography Festival (PIP) kicked off in Pingyao, Shanxi province on Sept 19.

The festival presents more than 20,000 photographs under many themes, from natural landscapes to people and every day life. A contest will be held to encourage photographers to examine Pingyao through their lenses. There is also a variety of academic workshops for greater communication between photographers around the world.

With the theme "Life of Photography, World of Dream", the exhibitions end on Sept 25.

The PIP is held every September since 2001 and has become a major photography event in the world.