Weifang: The kite capital of the world

A tradition that dates back over 2000 years ago. Kite making stems from ingenious craftsmanship developed at a time of warfare. Today, kites have evolved and have been repurposed to bring fun memories to joyous gatherings with calendar dates and festivals dedicated specifically to kite flying across the world.

China may have been recognised at the kite founder of the world, but it is the city of Weifang that to this day has lived up to its reputation and has contributed greatly towards the preservation of the kite making tradition.

The annual Weifang International Kite Festival draws kite enthusiasts from around the world.

With 85% of all kites globally being made in Weifang it is easy to see how this is the case. Here kites have become an inseparable part of people’s lives, from large industries to specialized craftsmen the designs are both plenty as they are beautiful.

Tiny kites are fully functional and can fit in the palm of your hand.

You can find kites that can fit in the palm of your hand, or imposing flying Goliaths with intricate mechanisms that allow them to move and appear to come alive in the wind.

At the 2023 Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition held this September in Weifang we saw the true masters at work. A dragon with a

fan in its belly allows for its limbs to move in the wind. A black dragon from the movie “How to train your dragon” decks the halls waiting to be flown at the next big kite festival. Fish, birds, demons and elegant paintings are all waiting in line to decorate the skies with their beautiful colours.

A handmade dragon kite. Its limbs move thanks to the fan in the middle and the mechanism attached to it.

The kite craftsmen of Weifang are hard at work. The beautiful colours are an integral part of the kite making tradition.

Meanwhile everyone is hard at work....

The kite making process is one that begins outside the studio and beyond the crafting table. The materials are picked carefully one by one. The abundant bamboo of China is combined with lightweight silk or paper, and this in turn is stretched tightly to allow for the beautiful decorations that are to follow. Weifang kites are most famous for their depictions which boast vibrant colours in beautiful works of art from nature and mythology. The combination of skills makes these kites a brilliant example of intangible cultural heritage that helps maintain both the building process, behind these flying pieces, but also the stories that are drawn with great skill and finesse.

The famous Goddess of the moon Cheng'e decorates this imposing kite as she flies into the heavens towards the moon.

The rich education programs in both kite making and the history of kites, the chance to try your hand at kite making, and the opportunity to witness the stunning International Kite Festival each April, make Weifang a must visit for kite enthusiasts around the world. More than once a year, this welcoming corner of Shandong province opens its doors and meets friends from far and wide, with ample opportunities to participate, have fun, and add a modern twist to a centuries old tradition.

A closeup of a craftsman's workbench.

PS: Next time you happen to buy a kite, make sure to take a look if it was made in Weifang, China.