(Written by a friend in Shanghai)
This last weekend I was in the Beijing area and visited Weifang. Have you ever heard of it? It's the kite capital of the world.
The Weifang International Kite Festival is held from April 20th to the 25th every year. Fanciers of kites from all over the world go to Weifang with their specially-made kites on those days. They don't fly the kinds of kites we usually see: their kites are so large and heavy that either a car or a truck is needed to transport them. On Kite Days, the wind is very strong, suitable for kite flying, and the sky is filled with many different kinds of them.
Kites in China have a long history. Historical records show that the first kite was made in the Spring and Autumn Period - about 3500 years ago. At that time, kites were used for military purposes and were made of wood. Paper ones appeared later.
Kites were once called Zhiyuan in North China and Yaozi in South China. The name "Feng-zheng" came into use during the Five Dynasties (907-960 A.D.) Since the Tang Dynasty, kites have been regarded as toys. Flying kites became more popular during the Qing Dynasty.
As Weifang's kites are very good, I decided to buy some as souvenirs. I was lucky that there was a little store selling kites right beside my hotel. They sold many different kinds, and all of them were very beautiful. The kites that were available, however, weren't quite right for me as I was traveling. If I hadn't planned to go to Yuncheng City the next day, I would have brought some and taken them home.
Here's another photo - this one of an old man making a kite.
but I haven't done it for many years. I remember clearly that when we lived in Chengdu my father and I would fly kites every spring. It's very exciting to see them flying high in the sky.