The first Hangzhou International Kite Festival opens at Tongjian Lake in Xihu district on April 28. [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]

The first Hangzhou International Kite Festival opened at Tongjian Lake in Xihu district on April 28, attracting 36 teams from different countries and regions including China, the United States, South Africa, and Lebanon. The event will continue until May 5.

Kites, a traditional sport and cultural symbol of the Chinese nation, have a history of more than 2,000 years, and their craftsmanship was listed as one of the first national intangible cultural heritage items.

On the kite-flying field, kites of various shapes fluttered above the flower sea of Tongjian Lake. Among them, a 75-meter-long dragon kite became the focus.

"The 'dragon body' is made of 126 pieces of silk cloth, and the spacing and angle of each piece are fixed, making it easier to fly," said Xu Xiaoping from Taizhou, who made the kite and has been engaged in the craft for nearly 20 years.

The kite festival includes the 2024 China Youth Kite Competition (Hangzhou Station), 2024 Zhejiang Province Kite Invitational Tournament, Zhejiang Province Children's Kite Painting Competition, and large-scale kite flying performances.

The event also features a variety of interactive games, a Chinese-style market experience area, and a DIY kite flying area, allowing spectators to not only enjoy the competition but also experience the fun of kite making and flying.

A kite in the shape of a dragon. [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]