A group of international students from Weifang Medical University recently attended a class to learn about Weifang's kite culture and tried their hands at making kites.

Yang Hongwei, a leading inheritor of the city's traditional kite-making skills, taught the students about the four arts of making kites, namely, tying (using bamboo for a frame), pasting (placing paper, silk and other material onto the frame), painting and "letting go" (flying).

The origin and development history of Weifang's kites were also introduced, along with several folk stories.

Kites have been flown in Weifang, widely known as the kite capital of the world, for about 2,400 years.

The Weifang International Kite Festival, which has been held annually since 1984, has become a brand for the city. Many local landmarks, including the railway station, the arts center and several street lamps, feature butterfly-shaped kite designs.

Weifang's kite making technique is a national intangible cultural heritage item in Shandong province.

A foreign student from Weifang Medical University designs patterns for his kite. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A foreign student from Weifang Medical University kite paints her kite in the class. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The foreign students pose for a photo with the kites they made by themselves. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

International students from Weifang Medical University attend a class to learn about Weifang's kite culture. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]