Weifang, China – Known as the “kite capital” of China, the city of Weifang in Shandong province has a rich history of kite-making that dates back to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). In recognition of this tradition, Weifang kites were included on the first national-level intangible cultural heritage lists by the State Council in 2006.
Guo Hongli, a representative for Weifang kites, comes from a long line of kite-makers in the city’s Hanting village. He remembers fondly the days of his childhood when he would fly kites that he made himself. “When I was a kid, I had no toys, so I flew kites that I made by myself to have fun,” says Guo. This experience sparked his interest in kite-making, and he eventually became a skilled craftsman in his own right.
Guo’s father taught him that crafting kites requires “tender and delicate attention,” and Guo has taken this lesson to heart. He is extremely selective about the materials he uses and personally sources his bamboo from the south of China, ensuring that it has grown for at least five years. His kites range in size from two centimeters to over 100 meters and take the form of historical and mythological figures, animals, and cultural relics.
As a representative of a national intangible cultural heritage, Guo not only carries on the tradition of his family’s craft but also strives to innovate and attract younger generations to this traditional culture. In 2021, Guo was invited to create a themed kite for Tencent’s mobile game, Honor of Kings. He used a unique technique to build the structure and incorporated elements from the Dunhuang murals, such as the nine-colored deer and flying apsaras, giving the kite a blend of tradition and modernity. Guo also leveraged social media to showcase the history and production process of Weifang kites, attracting a peak of 6.5 million viewers. This was not the first time Guo had collaborated with a mobile game company. In 2019, he designed a kite for Perfect Word, also incorporating elements of traditional Chinese culture.
Guo believes that while innovation is essential, the traditional essence of making kites must also be preserved. “Effective innovation is impossible without a good take on traditional techniques,” he says. Over his 30-plus years of career, Guo has continued to hone his skills and has won numerous awards and accolades. His work “Centipede with a Dragon Head” won the gold medal in the first China Intangible Cultural Heritage Expo in 2010. His kites have also been showcased in cultural exhibitions at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and the 2011 Shanghai World Expo. Additionally, Guo holds more than 10 patents related to kite creation.
In addition to promoting Chinese kites domestically, Guo has also taken his craft to over 30 countries and regions worldwide, spreading the word about this traditional Chinese art form. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT) has recognized Guo’s efforts and has presented his works as gifts to more than 170 institutions abroad.
In 2018, Guo’s kites were featured in Malta, and the then Maltese president Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca was so impressed that she decided to organize an annual Chinese kite festival in Malta. This event was made possible by the MCT’s support and recognition of Weifang kites.
The kite industry in Weifang has seen tremendous growth since the first Weifang International Kite Festival was held in 1984. Today, there are over 600 kite enterprises in the city, providing more than 80,000 jobs. The industry generates an annual output of over two billion yuan, and 39 companies export their kites to over 50 countries and regions, holding 85% of the international market share.
In recent years, Weifang’s kite industry has embraced e-commerce, with many businesses moving online. Some companies have even seen daily turnover from online livestreams reach up to 390,000 yuan. Guo, who is determined to carry on this traditional folk art, continues to innovate and promote Weifang kites on the international stage. “Kites are rooted in Weifang,” he says. “As an inheritor of this craft, I hope to pass it on and promote Weifang kites on the international stage.”
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.