One of the two winning photos entitled "Ages" by Lorenzo Barbieri from Italy, portrays the happiness in the lives of the Chinese as well as the great changes China has experienced over the past decades. The "Beijing Spirit through the Eyes of Foreign Friends" photo contest represented the true meaning of the Beijing spirit – "Patriotism, Innovation, Inclusiveness, Virtue" – via imagery, and allowed for foreign friends living in or visiting Beijing to experience the beauty of this amazing city. The contest, organized by the Beijing People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (BPAFFC), has attracted foreigners from about 40 countries and received dozens of excellent pictures. [Photo by Lorenzo Barbieri/China.org.cn]

The photo "I can make Baozi" shows a foreigner's cultural experience in China. It won first prize as well. After months of evaluating, two photos received the first prize, five photos were awarded the second prize, ten photos received the third prize and thirty-three photos received the Award of Excellence. [Photo by Michelle Tang/China.org.cn]

A Peking Opera actress is doing her make up. The photo "Mirror mirror" by Jessica Dowse from Britain received a second prize. [Photo by Jessica Dowse/China.org.cn]

A foreigner is enjoying the dragon dance, a popular festival dance in China. The photo, entitled "Happy to be in China," received a second prize. [Photo by Aouini Mohamed Wassim/China.org.cn]

The photo named "Father and son going to the Mosque" records the sacred praying of a father with his son. Beijing is a city that houses various kinds of ethnic groups, including the Hui minority. [Photo by Ridla Soerokarso/China.org.cn]

The photo "Lei Feng leads the way" by Danyal Gilani from Pakistan received a second prize. Lei Feng is a hero in China because he voluntarily came to the aid of numerous people. [Photo by Danyal Gilani/China.org.cn]

The photo "Sunset" taken by Alex C. de Dios from the Philippines, shows Beijing's amazing sunset skyline. [Photo by Alex C. de Dios/China.org.cn]

"The Flag and the father," taken by Amir Jalilzadeh from Iran, shows the crowds at Tiananmen Square. [Photo by Amir Jalilzadeh/China.org.cn]

"Perseverance (Great Wall)" shows the grand view seen from the Great Wall. [Photo by Matias Lusardi/China.org.cn]

"Restoring my wall" taken by Laureano Foz from Canada received a third prize. [Photo by Laureano Foz/China.org.cn]

"Family gathering in the middle of the crowds" shows the picture of many people enjoying a snack around Wangfujing in downtown Beijing. [Photo by Yonathan Oktavianus/China.org.cn]

This photo taken by Hauser Tristan from Switzerland shows the beautiful decoration inside a Beijing building. [Photo by Hauser Tristan/China.org.cn]

Photo "Qianhai" shows the gorgeous night scenery of Qianhai. Qianhai and Houhai are two Beijing favorites for both young Chinese and foreigners because they boast an amazing scenery as well as numerous bars and restaurants. [Photo by Christoph Mohr/China.org.cn]

Photo "Shadows" shows a woman working on her calligraphy at the Temple of Heaven. A lot of people do this across Beijing's parks, creating both a special scenery as well as atmosphere. [Photo by Guillet Raphael/China.org.cn]

Photo "Kunming Lake in winter" taken by John Raymond Ching Tiam from the Philippines shows the peaceful winter scenery of Kunming Lake in Summer Palace. [Photo by John Raymond/China.org.cn]