Gorgeous Chinese Kites For Shoppers In Beijing
July 12th, 2009 by Andy Lao, under Travel and Leisure. No Comments
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: 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.
But during the Ming dynasty, kites were once again brought on the battlefield. Ming generals found that they could fly kites to carry explosives and bombard the enemy. It turned out to be a very effective tactic that helped bring many victories to the Chinese army.
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’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.
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.
