Discover Beautiful, Traditional Chinese Kites In Beijing

China is the birthplace of kites, and it’s a great idea to buy one as a gift in Beijing. Most people believe they were invented 2,500 years ago, during the Spring and Autumn Period, by the famous Chinese philosopher Mozi. It is said he used wood to create a “flying bird” that flew in the sky for a whole day.

[i:21:j]In earlier times, kites were used as a military instrument to aid communication, measure distance, test the wind, and conduct rescue missions. Only later did it become a toy or common hobby. Now flying kites is a popular form of entertainment for people in almost every country of the world. International events are held every year for kite lovers all across China.

Cultural Note: A Han general won the famous Battle of Gaixia by destroying the will of his enemy’s soldiers. He did this by ordering his soldiers to sing the local songs to induce nostalgia in the hearts of the enemy. The singing was accompanied by the sound of flutes attached to kites they flew in the sky. This tactic caused a lot of the enemy soldiers to lose their will for fighting and flee the battlefield.

In the Tang dynasty, Chinese began to use kites more as a recreational tool than a military instrument. The emperors and their relatives were the first people to fly kites for fun. When they did this inside their palaces, commoners saw the beautiful kites and were amazed. Soon everybody started to fly kites and kite-flying became a popular pastime.

In the Ming dynasty, kites were once again used for military purposes. Many emperors ordered their soldiers to fly kites that carried explosives. The explosives would fall on the enemy and gave the Chinese a great edge on the battlefield.

Over the years, a number of local kite-making styles have been developed. The most famous styles come from the six “Kite Cities” in China: Beijing, Kaifeng, Tianjin, Weifang, Nantong, and Yangjiang.

Weifang, where it is believed the first kite was made, promotes itself as the “Kite Capital of the World.” It not only has the largest kite museum in the world, one that covers an area of 8,100 square meters, but also it hosts international kite-flying events.

Beijing boasts a long tradition of kite-making. Local kite artisans are known for their excellent skills and unparalleled experience, in part because the tradition here started by making kites for the royal family. The kites they make have cultured designs, beautiful patterns, and light bodies.

Kites made in the other four “Kite Cities” have their own charming, distinct local characteristics. Nantong kites, for example, have whistles and other items attached to them that make beautiful sounds in the sky.

When shopping for kites in Beijing’s shops, select the ones that are made of good materials and demonstrate a high level of craftsmanship. As far as the material goes, if you want to use your kite more as a decoration, you should choose one that is made of pure silk; if you want to use your kite mainly for flying, one that is made of nylon would be ideal for you. Kite frames are usually made of bamboo or metal. Remember to check the frame to see if it is broken or has cracks. Go with a personal shopping assistant in Beijing for professional advice.