An image viewing system includes a display, a memory, an image viewing unit, a resize unit and a processor. The memory is configured for storing the images. Each image acquires additional metadata about the corresponding image. A thumbnail of the corresponding image is built in the metadata. The image viewing unit includes a retrieving module and an exhibiting module. The retrieving module is configured for retrieving the thumbnails of the images. The exhibiting module is configured for exhibiting the thumbnails of the images through the display for image viewing. The processor is configured for controlling the image viewing unit and the resize unit.