Source: CCTV.com

06-27-2008 10:17

An amazing airborne display dazzled thousands of spectators in Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan province. A kite show was part of the of the countdown to the Beijing Olympics. Hundreds of kites dived and cavorted through the air, all at the same time.

An amazing airborne display dazzled thousands of spectators in  Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan province.  (Photo: CCTV.com)

The kites, all strung together were done in the colours of the Olympic Emblem. Leading the echelon were 26 enormous, specially commissioned huge kites. They represented the 26 ethnic groups of Yunan.

Spectators probably were startled to learn that all the kites were made by one person. Zhang Tengyun worked for two years to prepare for the show. He made 2008 kites, in honour of the Olympic year. The folk artist has been a kite maker for about ten years. For the Olympic kite show, he has adapted some innovative ideas to the traditional craft.

After several attempts, Zhang Tengyun finally managed to get 12 hundred of the kites airborne. They stretched across the sky for about a kilometer. The artist said he will fly all 2008 kites before the Olympics - when wind conditions are right.

Editor:Liu Fang