Shop For High-Quality Kites In Beijing
The kite was invented in China more than 2,500 years ago, during the Spring and Autumn Period, by the famous Chinese philosopher Mozi. It is believed he crafted a “flying bird” out of a piece of wood that flew in the sky for a whole day. Visitors to Beijing like to buy a beautiful Chinese kites as gifts when they go shopping in the city.
Cultural Note: The famous Battle of Gaxia was won by a Han general who achieved victory by weakening his enemy’s will to fight. He did this by ordering his soldiers to sing songs that reminded the enemy soldiers of their homes. He also flew kites with flutes attached that made music to accompany the singing. Hearing this, many of the enemy soldiers felt homesick and fled 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.
The six “Kite Cities” in China are famous for their unique styles. They are Beijing, Kaifing, Tianjin, Weifang, Nantong, and Yangjiang.
Weifang produces kites that are famous for their sophisticated craftsmanship. It is considered the “Kite Capital of the World”, because the first kite was made here thousands of years ago. It also has the largest kite museum in the world, one that covers an area of more than 8,100 square meters. Kite fanatics from almost every country come to Weifang every year to participate in the annual International Kite Festival.
Beijing’s kites are most famous for their beauty. Some of the most exquisite kites in China were made here, since a lot of the local kite artisans were hired by the emperors themselves. There are three famous local styles developed by three kite masters: Cao Xueqin, Jin Fuzhong, and Ha Changying. Their kites are known for their cultured design, vivid patterns, and light body.
[i:22:j]The other four “Kite Cities” all produce popular kites that have their own local style. Kites produced in Nantong, for example, are known for having sound devices attached to them that make pleasant music in the wind.
Tips: If you want to find high-quality Chinese kites in Beijing, some small, specialized kite shops are good places to go. When you select the kites you like, remember to check if they are made of good materials and demonstrate a high level of craftsmanship. You can buy one made of pure silk for decoration and another one made of nylon for flying. Most kite frames are made of bamboo or steel. Remember to check to see if the frames are broken or have cracks. You can go with a personal shopper in Beijing to assist you in your shopping, because this person can offer you insider information on a lot of the things you buy.