# buildwith · Weifang International Kite Festival: sources

Row #5 of `experiences_v1.csv` (research pass 3 Oct 2026, IST). Dates and deadlines come from `cal.py` (date check 4 Oct 2026, IST), which is the source of truth for dates, with the 4 Oct 2026 source-rule audit applied. The page deliberately shows **no prices** and no contact emails; see the official site.

| Fact used | Source |
|---|---|
| Name, place (Weifang (World Kite Park), Shandong, China), continent | https://www.sdxc.gov.cn/whql/whqlsy/202603/t20260318_17551002.htm (primary) ·  (secondary) |
| Usual timing: April | https://www.sdxc.gov.cn/whql/whqlsy/202603/t20260318_17551002.htm (primary) ·  (secondary) |
| What you build / use: BUILD/fly your own kite or USE Weifang-made kites | https://www.sdxc.gov.cn/whql/whqlsy/202603/t20260318_17551002.htm (primary) ·  (secondary) |
| How a traveller takes part: Fly in the public Open Flying Season; teams can compete in the World Kite Championship; visit kite workshops/markets | https://www.sdxc.gov.cn/whql/whqlsy/202603/t20260318_17551002.htm (primary) ·  (secondary) |
| Participation level: Use / Build-compete (teams) | https://www.sdxc.gov.cn/whql/whqlsy/202603/t20260318_17551002.htm (primary) ·  (secondary) |
| Entry requirements / deadline: Competition entry process not verified | https://www.sdxc.gov.cn/whql/whqlsy/202603/t20260318_17551002.htm (primary) ·  (secondary) |
| Verification note (research pass): 2026 edition verified on the Shandong provincial publicity department's government site (in Chinese). No official English organiser site found. | experiences_v1.csv |
| Date: Apr 2027 · date TBC: Weifang International Kite Festival 2027 (usually mid/late April). 2027 dates not published (2026 opened 18 Apr; open flying 20 Apr-5 May). | https://www.sdxc.gov.cn/whql/whqlsy/202603/t20260318_17551002.htm |
| Take-part route "Fly in the public Open Flying Season" (Use local gear): Fly your own kite, or one made in Weifang, during the public Open Flying Season (in 2026: 20 Apr–5 May), and visit the kite workshops and markets. | Re-worded from the CSV row and the dated items above |
| Take-part route "Compete in the World Kite Championship" (Team entry): Teams can compete in the World Kite Championship (in 2026: 16–19 Apr). The entry process is not verified. | Re-worded from the CSV row and the dated items above |
| Check note: 2026 edition verified on the Shandong provincial government publicity site (in Chinese); no official English organiser site found. | CSV verification notes / dated items above |
| Check note: 2027 dates are not published. | CSV verification notes / dated items above |

## Skills you'll need (section 03)

| Fact used | Source |
|---|---|
| Skills (this experience): Launching and flying a single-line kite on a crowded festival field; Field etiquette around large show kites and their lines; (Teams) building and competing to championship rules (rules not found in English) | Skills research, checked 2026-10-04 (IST) |
| Difficulty (our estimate): Beginner for open flying; Skilled team for the championship; prep time (our estimate): 2–3 practice sessions for open flying; months for a competition team. Difficulty and prep time are Curiosta editorial estimates for a first-timer, not organiser figures. | Curiosta editorial estimate |
| Refresher, practice and safety steps: Check the wind: most kites like a steady moderate breeze; light-wind kites have no tail and big sails, strong-wind set-ups use tails or vents. / Launch with your back to the wind: hold the kite at the bridle, let out line, and pull in as it points up so it climbs; a helper can do a long launch in light wind. / If the kite sinks tail-first there's too little wind; if it dives or spins there's too much. Adjust the bridle in small steps or add tail. / On a shared field, stay out of other fliers' wind windows, never cross lines on purpose, and walk towards each other to untangle. / Big show kites pull hard: keep well clear of their lines and anchors and never grab a line that's running. / Wear gloves for larger kites, plus sun protection; sunburn is the most common kite-field injury. / Fly a simple single-line kite in an open park or beach; practise launching alone (propped against a post) and with a helper. / Build a basic sled or diamond kite at home from AKA's kite-making pointers. / Practise untangling lines with a friend by walking towards each other. / Keep clear of large show-kite lines and anchors. / Wear gloves with bigger kites; never let line run through bare fingers. / Don't fly near power lines or in storms. | Our summary of the resources below |
| Resource (Official; publisher: American Kitefliers Association (AKA), US national kite association): How To Fly A Kite: Step-by-step launching, wind selection and in-flight corrections. | https://www.kite.org/about-kites/how-to-fly-a-kite/ |
| Resource (Official; publisher: American Kitefliers Association (AKA), US national kite association): Kite Safety: Field courtesy and safety rules suited to crowded festival grounds. | https://www.kite.org/about-kites/kite-safety/ |
| Resource (Official; publisher: American Kitefliers Association (AKA), US national kite association): How to Make a Kite: Starter guidance if you want to bring your own kite. | https://www.kite.org/about-kites/how-to-make-a-kite/ |
| No official resource yet: No official English resource yet from the Weifang organiser, and no published World Kite Championship rules. | Skills research (gap recorded) |

See also: skills guide `skills/kite-basics/`

## Source audit (4 Oct 2026, IST)

Official sources first; non-official sources only if the event community widely accepts them, with evidence. Links removed or replaced on this page (old links are shown as plain text, not linked):

- Old: `shandong.chinadaily.com.cn/2026-03/18/c_1169420.htm` → New: https://www.sdxc.gov.cn/whql/whqlsy/202603/t20260318_17551002.htm. Why: State newspaper used as the primary source. Replaced by the Shandong provincial publicity department's government site (dates confirmed: opened 18 Apr; championship 16–19 Apr; open flying 20 Apr–5 May).
- Old: `sd.cri.cn/20260419/… (CRI)` → Removed. Why: State broadcaster news. Removed.

## Check notes shown on the page

- 2026 edition verified on the Shandong provincial government publicity site (in Chinese); no official English organiser site found.
- 2027 dates are not published.

## Our grouping

- Levels shown: Use local gear, Team entry (our grouping of the CSV participation level "Use / Build-compete (teams)").
- Usual months used by the month filter: Apr, May.