An award-wining photo snapped by Li Rui captures the beauty of dawn in Beijing's central business district. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Beijing's central business district is studded with high-rises and the regional headquarters of many multinational corporations.

But the area which covers 7 square kilometers was once an industrial zone dotted with factories.

Thanks to China's reform and opening-up, the area has been transformed since early 1990s.

Now, free exhibition sponsored by CBD administrators in association with Beijing Yintai Centre is showcasing the transformation of the area.

The show, called the 2019 Beijing CBD Photo and Video Season and themed "See the beauty", is on at the Beijing Yintai Centre, and will run until the end of August.

Meanwhile, a jury comprising established photographers have awarded prizes to 50 photos and short videos, shortlisted from nearly 2,000 submissions from more than 10 provinces and cities.

Separately, a series of events, including an art market and a photographers' salon, will also be held at the center to coincide with the exhibition.

All the works are also displayed online, and have gained more than 50,000 views in two weeks, according to the organizers.