As spring returns, Wangjiazhuangzi village in Fangzi district, Weifang, is busy making kites. Inside the workshops of Weifang Hongxin Kite, the rhythmic hum of sewing machines and cutting tools fills the air as workers race to fulfill a global surge in orders.

"We front-loaded production for children's DIY painting kits and bespoke products ahead of the Weifang International Kite Festival," said Wang Yingxiu, head of Weifang Hongxin Kite. "Our first-quarter orders increased 30 percent year-on-year, supported by exports through Yiwu and domestic sales on platforms like Taobao, Tmall, and Xiaohongshu."

Once a local craft, kite-making in Wangjiazhuangzi has evolved into a large-scale industrial cluster since the first Weifang International Kite Festival. Today, the village is home to more than 200 kite enterprises, with over half of its residents working in the industry. Annual output reaches nearly 100 million kites, generating more than 300 million yuan ($41.5 million) in sales and accounting for over 80 percent of China's total kite market. The village is recognized as "China's No 1 Kite Industry Village".

A worker sorts kites at a workshop in Wangjiazhuangzi village, Weifang. [Photo/Dazhong News]

To stay competitive, local manufacturers are blending traditional motifs with modern trends. Traditional dragon and phoenix designs now share the spotlight with China-chic designs inspired by Ne Zha and Black Myth: Wukong. Production techniques have also advanced, with 3D printing and eco-friendly materials enhancing both quality and market value.

Digital transformation has further propelled the industry. The village established the Weifang Kite Industry E-commerce Incubation Center, selecting over 100 premium products from thousands of options and supplying major platforms via a dedicated cloud warehouse. More than 80 percent of the village's kite enterprises now operate online stores. Since last year, live-stream sales alone have driven the sale of over 25 million kites, generating nearly 100 million yuan in revenue.

"The kite industry chain in Wangjiazhuangzi has created over 6,000 jobs and supports more than 20 surrounding villages," said Fang Bowen, secretary of the Party Working Committee of the Fangzi Industrial Development Zone. By transforming a traditional craft into a modern industrial chain, Wangjiazhuangzi has strengthened the local economy and contributed to rural vitalization.