An international photography festival will be held in 2,700-year-old Pingyao City in north China's Shanxi Province from Sept. 16 to 22, the local government announced Thursday.

With the theme of "peace and progress," the festival, highlights a photo show to mark the 60th anniversary of the world Anti-Fascist War and China's anti-Japanese war, said Shen Weichen, head of the provincial publicity department.

More than 180 photographers from over 20 countries and regions will participate in the occasion with about 8,000 pieces of works, Shen said.

In addition, a ceremony entitled "wish for world peace" will be staged during the festival to show the aspiration of Chinese people for peace and progress.

Pingyao, located in the center of Shanxi, is famous for its well-preserved city wall and streets, stores, temples and residential housing built in the Ming and Qing dynasties. The city was listed as a World Cultural Heritage site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in 1997.  
 
(Xinhua News Agency July 22, 2005)