An exhibition of banyao kites opens at Futian Temple in Nantong on Sept 14. Nantong is famous for its banyao kite -- a large, flat, whistling kite with a hexagonal frame adorned with exquisite decorations and vibrant colors. [Photo/ntfabu.com]

The 4th Futian Cultural Festival was launched at Futian Temple in Nantong, in East China’s Jiangsu province on Sept 14. The event will last for 50 days and conclude on Nov 3.

This year’s festival is meant to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and will consist of 10 cultural activities. They include a calligraphy exhibition, a lantern riddles competition, a banyao kite exhibition and a Buddhism stone carvings exhibition.

The first Futian Temple, one of the nine largest temples in ancient Nantong, was built during the Song Dynasty (960-1279) and has vanished over time.

The current temple was built in Gangzha district in 2002 and has been committed to promoting local culture and public welfare.

It was recognized by the provincial religious affairs department as a five-star venue for religious activities in 2015.