Chinese knot, the world’s biggest kite, flies in the 7th International Kite Festival, which was held on Nov 8-9, in Xiamen, Fujian province. [Photo / xmnn.cn] 

The 2014 International Kite Festival was held on Nov 8 - 9 in Golden beach, Siming district, Xiamen, Fujian province, which attracted 80,000 visitors from all over the world.

Beside the kites, the 7th International Kite Festival also included a beach carnival, circus performances, a motor show and a kite photographer competition. A parent-child flying-kite activity on Nov 9th brought fun for families with children. 

The 7th International Kite Festival was held on Nov 8-9, in Xiamen, Fujian province. [Photo / xmnn.cn]

Thirty-three kite groups from throughout the world, mostly professional members, attended the festival. The festival got acclaims from 14 foreign groups from New Zealand, the US, Indonesia, Sweden and Malaysia.

A kite shaped as a “Chinese knot” is the world’s biggest kite with a wind area of 2,600 square meters. In traditional Chinese culture, the Chinese knot means good luck and happiness, and the 98-meter-long kite with a 48-meter-long tail flying in the sky carried the best wishes to Xiamen, according to the owner of the kite, Heige group from Tianjin city in northern China.

An octopus kite with a wind area of 1,500 square meters flies in the 7th International Kite Festival, which was held on Nov 8-9, in Xiamen, Fujian province. [Photo / xmnn.cn]

A huge “octopus” played with the “Chinese knot” in the sky, which moved smoothly and fluently with long tentacles and a wind area of 1,500 square meters.

Stunt kite performances drew much attention in the festival, which were controlled by two strings as they performed “group ballet” in the sky. The special kite show needs more skills to make sure every kite member performs in beauty and harmony with others, according to a professional.

The festival also lured many foreign tourists and students. They were fascinated by the kite performances and accessorial activities. The Wechat (a Chinese social media) printers were convenient for people to print their photos at once.

The high tourist volume flow during the two days fueled the local economic growth. A local shop owner hoped that Xiamen can host more international festivals to bring them more economic benefits. 

Two children drive a kite car in the 7th International Kite Festival, which was held on Nov 8-9, in Xiamen, Fujian province. [Photo / xmnn.cn]

Tourists and participants all praised the services. A volunteer group from Jimei University provided all-round services, including translation, order maintaining, kite-flying assistance and material handling. “They are the best volunteers I have met. They are professional translators and all patient and responsible for their work,” said Andrew, a kite group member from Sweden.

The sanitation workers contributed much to the festival, who guaranteed the Golden beach a clean and clear venue for pleasure and entertainment.