Overseas Chinese teenagers try their hand at making banyao whistling kites in Nantong on Dec 25. [Photo/ntfabu.com]

A total of 73 overseas Chinese teenagers from the United States, Australian, Italy, and Thailand learned to make banyao whistling kites in Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province on Dec 25.

The activity was part of a winter camp for overseas Chinese teenagers to learn about traditional Chinese culture and enjoy the charming Nantong scenery.

The camp opened on Dec 24 and will last for 10 days, involving courses on clay sculptures, paper-cutting, Chinese calligraphy and painting, as well as Chinese martial arts.

During the session on banyao whistling kites, Ge Wenquan, honorary chairman of the city's kite association, explained the kite's history and techniques to the teenagers, who then tried to make their own kites.

Nantong is one of four major production areas for kites in China. It is famous for its banyao kite, a large, flat, and whistling kite with a hexagonal frame adorned with exquisite decorations and vibrant colors.

The whistles are made from dried gourds with a slit carved into the top, allowing them to produce a variety of sounds as they fly.