TAIYUAN, July 18 (Xinhua) -- This September, the Pingyao International Photography Festival (PIP) will celebrate its 18th anniversary in the ancient walled city of Pingyao in northern China.

Advocating diversity, internationalism and professionalism, the annual festival has been considered an important stage for international photographers to display their talent since it was launched in 2001.

Over the past 17 years, the festival has attracted 4.5 million visitors and exhibited over 220,000 works of 37,000 photographers from more than 100 countries and regions. It is more than just a celebration, as the lives of many young photographers, locals and the old city alike have all been changed.

Cui Bo, 50, has attended a total of 15 PIPs, over which time he grew from a photo editor into an acclaimed curator. "The PIP has been an excellent stage for photographers to open up to the world. I am very grateful for the festival, both personally and professionally," he said.

Wang Xiaojun opened her homestay on the first day of the second festival in 2002 when she gave birth to her daughter. While taking care of her baby, she often spoke with foreigners at the festival. Now, she not only speaks fluent English but becomes a poet and amateur photographer.

The ancient walled city of Pingyao was built in the 14th century, and was named a UNESCO world heritage in 1997, as "an exceptionally well-preserved example of a traditional Han Chinese city."

The city boomed in the 19th century as China's financial center, as Shanxi merchants expanded their businesses across the country. Now, the well-preserved compounds of these affluent merchants have made the town a unique site to hold exhibitions.

Song Linmao, a local resident, is devoted to protecting the residences of Shanxi merchants. He spent four years transforming three run-down compounds into a quaint guesthouse with notable architectural structures of the Ming and Qing style.

"Famous French photographer Alain Jullien once stayed here in the 1990s, he told me to take good care of local buildings," Song said.

While maintaining traditions and professionalism, the PIP also pursues innovation and creation. This year's festival, opening on Sept. 19, will for the first time feature a multi-media exhibition of photographic works, according to Zhang Guotian, art director of the PIP.

"We will transform an old diesel engine factory into a movie theater during the festival to give audiences a combined experience of video, sound and still picture," Zhang explained.

So far, this year's festival has received works from around 2,000 photographers from more than 30 countries and regions. A highlight will be an exhibition of works from Neal Slavin, an American photographer specializing in group portraits. For his first exhibition in China, he will bring his magnum opus "Neal Salvin: Group and Gatherings" to the festival.