Amateur kite-flyers from Nantong pose for a photo with a banyao whistling kite at the 38th Weifang International Kite Festival held in Weifang, East China's Shandong province. [Photo/ntfabu.com]

Nantong won 11 of the 18 competitions during the 38th Weifang International Kite Festival, which kicked off in Weifang, East China's Shandong province, on April 17, local media outlets reported.

There are two gold awards for outstanding traditional kite and the best performance in the sky, respectively.

According to Hu Zhi, head of the Nantong delegation, many kites failed to fly due to a force-7 wind in the afternoon of April 17, while one Nantong banyao whistling kite followed the wind, playing a symphony in the sky.

The delegation also successfully flew a gundilong (rolling dragon) kite with a diameter of 35 meters on April 18.

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

The Weifang kite festival has been held annually since 1984. A total of 500 amateur kite-flyers from across the country took part in this year's event with 1,628 kites in various shapes and sizes.