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Crafting and soaring kites intertwined with the heritage of the Yellow River

A giantsized dragon-headed kite, stretching 60 meters long, prepares to launch in Yangjiabu village, Weifang, East China's Shandong Province, during the 42nd Weifang International Kite Festival. As thousands of kites from around the globe ascend, they will join this magnificent creation,...

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Soaring High with Tradition and Innovation: Kite Masters of Weifang

Crafting and soaring kites intertwined with the heritage of the Yellow River

A majestic dragon-shaped kite takes flight against the backdrop of Weifang, East China's Shandong Province. The image captures the spirit of a city entwined with the art of kite-making, a legacy passed down through generations.

Crafting Wings with Ancestral Wisdom

Take a glimpse into Zhang Xiaodong's workshop, where age-old kite-making techniques come alive. As an inheritor of this timeless skill, Zhang Xiaodong proudly carries on the tradition in Weifang. His kites, emblazoned with symbols of good fortune and prosperity, pay homage to the rich culture of the Yellow River basin.

Boldly Embracing the Future

Enter Yangjiabu village, home to Yang Hongwei—a kite master whose work transcends tradition. His studio has been instrumental in creating extraordinary large-scale kites, such as a 60-meter-long dragon-head kite showcased at the 42nd Weifang International Kite Festival (April 2025).

Both Zhang and Yang uphold the essence of kite-making, blending skillful craftsmanship with artistic expression, and preserving motifs steeped in Yellow River symbolism, like the fearless dragon and persevering carp. These dedicated artisans stand as testaments to the vibrant past and promising future of kite-making in Weifang.

  1. Zhang Xiaodong, the inheritor of the traditional kite-making skill in Weifong, Shandong, crafts kites imbued with symbols of good fortune and prosperity.
  2. The grand 60-meter-long dragon-head kite created by Yang Hongwei in his studio was prominently displayed at the 42nd Weifang International Kite Festival (April 2025), showcasing a bold innovation in kite-making.
  3. Combining artistic expression with skilled craftsmanship, both Zhang and Yang have managed to preserve age-old motifs, such as the fearless dragon and persevering carp, in their contemporary kite designs.
  4. For those seeking unique travel experiences that fuse culture, lifestyle, home-and-garden, and adventure, exploring the kite-making tradition in Weifong, Shandong, offers a captivating blend of tradition and innovation in the realm of cultural travel.
A colossal, 60-meter-long kite, adorned with a dragon's head, eagerly anticipates flight during the 42nd Weifang International Kite Festival in Yangjiabu village, East China's Shandong Province. The event, taking place this weekend, will witness the ascent of countless kites from across the globe, creating a breathtaking spectacle as they fill the skies over the city.
A colossal, dragon-headed kite stretches out at Yang Hongwei's studio in Yangjiabu village, Weifang, East China's Shandong Province, eagerly anticipating its flight during the 42nd Weifang International Kite Festival this weekend. This event will feature a multitude of kites from worldwide locations, including the 60-meter-long dragon kite that will join the spectacle, filling the heavens over the city with a vibrant display of flying creations.
Large dragon-headed kite resting at Yang Hongwei's studio in Yangjiabu village, Weifang, East China's Shandong Province, set to launch at the 42nd Weifang International Kite Festival. The event this weekend will witness the ascent of thousands of kites from worldwide locations, creating a breathtaking spectacle of colorful kites filling the skies above the city.

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