"Chinese people are most fascinated by the Dragon spirit," he said.

Cheng also noted that the traditional kite-making process usually boils down to four steps: structuring, paperhanging, color drawing, and flying.

Take the salangane kite for example, the first thing that needs to be done is to design the pattern and bamboo frame before selecting the best bamboo and chopping it up. The craftsman then builds the frame, paints the pattern, ties the kites to the reel and flies it.

Kite flying has a history of more than 2,000 years in China. It is thought to have begun as a means of passing military information in times of war, and gradually became a popular pastime during the spring.

A kite in the shape of a salangane with cats and butterflies painted on it [Photo/zjol.com.cn]