Almost every household was involved in making kites in the old days, but now the craft has been verging on extinction amid China's modernization. [Photos by Yuan Zhou, Da Wei, Li Wenming and Xu Congjun/For China Daily]

The craft has been verging on extinction amid China's modernization. Liu says villages in the countryside around Beijing and Tianjin used to be teeming with handmade kites. "Almost every household was involved in making kites." But inhabitants now flock to the cities for work.

Kite prices keep falling. Many are made of low-quality materials and by machines.

Flying kites is also more difficult in Beijing. Severe air pollution and airspace control have scared people away.

Now, he spends most of his time giving classes on kite making to young people. He says it boosts his income and enables more people enjoy the craft.

Liu describes kites as the love of his life, despite the difficulties they entail. "It's been 15 years since I took up the trade. I think I cannot let the kite go."

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