The banyao, a large whistling kite with a hexagonal frame and colorful decorations, is recognized as a distinctive feature in Nantong, and Xinyuan community in Gangzha district is one of the few communities in the city to boast several craftsmen who specialize in banyao kites. 

Xu Yanqing is one of over 10 craftsmen with provincial or municipal titles as inheritors of this intangible cultural heritage in Xinyuan community. In addition to making banyao kites, he is also skilled at carving the whistles for the kites. 

Xu said he became curious about how the whistles produce sound in the wind when he was a child. Then he became interested in the carving of the whistles and learnt how to do it from his father and grandfather. Now he is over 60 years old and has his own approach to this skill.

"The whistles on the kites are usually made of bamboo or cucurbit," Xu said. "The carving of the whistle is important, and the mouth of the whistle should be as thick as the inner wall, which is the key to the pleasant melody. I had practiced a lot before completely mastering this skill as it takes a while to understand how the whistle works."

The whistle carving skill has been inherited from generation to generation in Xu's family and his son has also mastered it. Xu is proud that this skill has been passed down and this intangible cultural heritage can be preserved.

Xu Yanqing, a craftsman specializing in kite making and carving skills in Gangzha, works on a whistle for a banyao kite. [Photo/ntfabu.com]