Beijing exhibition marks 131 years of National Geographic

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02:08

There's a good opportunity for photography enthusiasts in Beijing to explore the natural and humanistic beauty of the world as National Geographic brought its stunning exhibition to the Chinese capital over the weekend. Nearly 100 classic photos selected by the American magazine are on display at the China Millennium Monument, to mark the publication's 131 anniversary.

In eight themed galleries, the exhibition "National Geographic: A New Age of Exploration 2.0" shows visitors the world's diverse cultures, lives and human history through the images taken by some of the world's best photographers.

The exhibition marks 131 years of National Geographic. /CGTN Photo

The most appealing to the local visitors might be the works at the "China Impression" gallery, with photographs of the country's nature, cultural heritages and people's lives.

They were taken in places such as a forest in southwest China's Sichuan Province, the plateau of the Tibet Autonomous Region, cities such as Beijing and Xi'an, and even the kitchen of a Chinese restaurant.

A photo by Jim Brandenburg on display at the exhibition. /CGTN Photo

"In 1900, National Geographic added a new section featuring photographs about China. Since then, photographers took many classic images of the country. This is the first time they are put in front of Chinese visitors. A total of 16 selected works are on display," said Liang Xiling, the exhibition's organizer.

A photo by Gilbert Grosvenor on display at the exhibition. /CGTN Photo

The exhibition also features photographs recording remarkable human adventures. These include images of American explorer Robert Peary's journey to the Arctic, Jim Whittaker, the first American to reach the summit of Mount Everest, Jane Goodall's and Dian Fossey's encounters with chimpanzees and gorillas, and people's efforts to discover the myth behind the Titanic.

A photo by Michael Yamashita on display at the exhibition. /CGTN Photo

"As we know, each photograph presented by National Geographic has its own story. Some readers love the magazine because they are fascinated by the excellent skills of photographers, while many others are stunned by the haunting stories behind these photos. I think that is why National Geographic gained continuous popularity," Liang Xiling added.

National Geographic was first published in 1888 and it is the official magazine of the National Geographic Society. The exhibition in Beijing will run until June 23.