A Tibetan kite

Tibetan kites mainly prevail in Lhasa, Shigatse and other places of the Tibet Autonomous Region. It was popular among the Tibetan upper class in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911 A.D.). The traditional Tsering family in Lhasa and Radakhakee family have been consummate kite makers of unique style so far.    

The Culture Department of Tibet recently held the 'First Innovative Kite Cultural Exhibition', showing the kite culture "hidden" among the folk people for over 1,000 years and letting everyone touch and own their folk art.   

Phuchung, a Tibetan kite workmanship inheritor, has forged a deep bond with kite from a child. So far, he has hand-made kites and kite shafts for 14 years. 

Phuchung said: “The unique kite culture of Tibet, due to its competitive,  visually pleasant and entertainming features, has been better inherited, developed and innovated in people’s increasingly busy work and life.   

"One day, I will fly my own kite." Sonam Gyatso, born in Lhasa in the 1980s, is a young kite collector in Tibet. He has been keen on the blue sky from a child, and kite has been his "intimate partner' to realize his dream of flying.   

In his spare time, Sonam Gyatso would like to learn skills from and exchange experiences with friends. He displayed the exquisite kites and kite shafts which he has carefully collected for over 20 years at the "First Innovative Kite Culture Exhibition".   

"While enjoying the kites, I also hope to do my best to protect and inherit the ethnic culture," said Sonam Gyatso.