For those dazzled by the grand opening ceremony of the Olympic Games on Friday night, but in search of a greater insight into modern China, a photo exhibition at the Cultural Palace of Nationalities that opened yesterday might provide the solution.

Organized by the State Council Information Office (SCIO), the exhibition Chinese People's Life Through Cameras, portrays the work, life, culture, leisure and entertainment of people across the country.

The exhibition, which is free to the public and will run until Sept 20, will showcase photographs of Chinese mountains, rivers, urban and rural life and minorities' folklore as well as other themes.

"The Olympic dream of the 1.3 billion Chinese finally came true last night, while the Chinese people have made tremendous achievements, and life here has undergone significant changes, especially in the past 30 years after the reform and open-up policy," SCIO minister Wang Chen said at the opening of the exhibition.

Wang Lijuan, a teacher from Beijing Minguangcun Primary School, was surprised to learn that China now has more than 100 million religious believers, with more than 100,000 religious sites and nearly 300,000 clerics.

"The photos depicting colorful religious activities across the nation indicate the religious freedom enjoyed by the Chinese people," Wang said.

Ding Yiming, an IT engineer from Guangdong province, said he had gained a deeper understanding of Tibetan history after visiting the exhibition.

(China Daily August 10, 2008)