Photographers attend the "World Photographers Focus on Beijing" opening ceremony on Monday. Photo: Courtesy of Beijing This Month magazine

The annual "World Photographers Focus on Beijing" kicked off in the Capital Museum on Monday.

Twenty photographers from 16 countries and regions are taking part in the event, which will see them explore the alleyways and streets of Beijing to capture the city's beauty with their lenses.

To enhance culture exchange, 20 domestic photographers have been invited to take part in a special section in which they will take their own pictures of Beijing. Their works will be exhibited later this year.

The photography event was first established in 1999 by the Beijing Municipal Government. It has draw hundreds of photographers from around the world, to include countries such as Germany, Italy, Canada Belgium, the UK and the US.

In addition to their artistic value, these photos have become important records of the history, culture and changes going on in Beijing.