Kite festival set for October holiday
(Shanghai Daily)
Updated: 2004-09-27 09:17

The Seventh National Tourism Kite Festival will be held at the Fengxian Bay Traveling Area during the upcoming National Day Holiday.

With 13.7-kilometer-long coastline, the tourist area in Fengxian District covers an area of 17.6 square kilometers. Facing the East China Sea, it is an ideal place for kite flying because of the abundant wind.

Every year at this time, thousands of visitors are attracted to the Fengxin Kite Flying Ground. The sky over the open area is always filled with various colorful kites with different designs.

Covering an area of more than 200,000 square meters, it is also the largest kite flying playground in southern China.

Kites were invented in China as long as 3,000 years ago. During that period of time, kites were made of bamboo frames and silk sails and bridles.

Kites are also regarded as the pioneer object in the history of flight, far earlier than the first balloon flight appeared in 1783 and the Wright brothers' powered aircraft invented in 1903.

One legend suggests that when a Chinese farmer tied a string to his hat to keep it from blowing away in a strong wind, the first kite was born.

Kite flying was eventually spread by traders from China to Korea, and across Asia to India. Each area has developed a unique style of kite and cultural purpose for flying them.

First invented for military use, kite flying gradually turned into a popular and common amusement in China during the 11th century. Then it became a seasonal activity.

In the northern part of China, the main kite flying season occurs from the Chinese Lunar New Year (usually in January or February) to the Qingming Festival (usually in April) because of the favorable winds.

However, autumn is believed to be the best season for kite flying in the southern part. Chinese people are experts at making kites. They make colorful kites in various shapes such as dragons, birds and butterflies.

Some animal-shaped kites are designed in such a way that they can roll their eyes and flutter their wings. Other kites are so big that they require a group of people to operate them.

Nowadays, new materials such as nylon and fiberglass have been introduced to kite making, which also makes them stronger, lighter and more durable.

A show room at the Fengxin Kite Flying Ground provides visitors with various kinds and sizes of kites featuring different animals such as butterflies, eagles and bats.
Prices range from 5 yuan (US$0.60) to 50 yuan.

The first Shanghai Kite Championship is also set to be held on October 1. A total of 19 teams from around the city will compete at the site.

Judges from the Shanghai Kite Committee will rate the participants by measuring the flying height, the flying stability as well as the craft of kite making.

For visitors who develop an appetite during the event, a delicacy festival will also be held at a square not far away from the site. Ten local restaurants will set up stalls in the open air to present visitors a wide choice of fresh seafood and Chinese dim-sum.