The 22nd China Rudong Kite Festival kicked off on Oct 14, featuring the 2023 National Kite Invitational Tournament and the "Xiaoyangkou Tourism Cup" Jiangsu Province Kite Elite Competition.

The National Kite Invitational Tournament includes four major categories with a total of 13 competitive events, while the Jiangsu Province Kite Elite Competition features 11 different events. More than 300 participants from 41 teams across the country have brought their unique kites to this competition.

The large-scale kite festival has long been a signature event in Rudong county, Nantong, Jiangsu province, attracting kite enthusiasts and tourists from all over the country with each edition.

Nantong is one of China's four major kite-producing regions, and the craft of making traditional Chinese kites, particularly the banqiao style from Rudong, has been recognized as a national-level intangible cultural heritage. The banyao kites from the county are known for emitting low, medium, and high-pitched sounds through special whistles.

Various kites are flown in the sky during the festival. [Photo/Nantong Daily]