Spring is a good time for kite flying -- a popular activity in China. On a sunny day with a good breeze , you'll see hundreds of colorful kites flying in the sky. They have all kinds of shapes like swallows and peaches. Some of the shapes have special meanings. For example, swallows mean good luck and peaches bring you a long life. The city of Weifang in Shandong is the home of the kite. The city holds an international kite festival in April every year. There are competitions for kite-flying skills and new styles of kites. The most famous is the competition for the "Kite King ". Thousands of kite fans from more than 30 countries visit the city to take part in the competitions, or to just enjoy this colorful event . The largest kite in the world is a big "octopus  ". It's about 1,100 square meters, twice as big as a basketball court. Li Jingyang, a kite fanin Jilin, spent eight months making it in 2008. The kite was invented by Chinese people over 2,000 years ago. According to historical   record, kites were first used by soldiers to send news to their friends. In the Tang Dynasty, flying kites became a popular game played by everyone. As it was introduced to the West in the ll00s, the kite brought a great influence  on Western life. In 1782, the lightning rod   was invented with the help of a kite. Modern aircraft came from kites, too. At the National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC, a board reads: "The earliest man-made aircrafts were the kites and missiles   of ancient China." Why do thousands of people visit the city of Weifang in April every year?
Because they enjoy this colorful event. Because of the beauty of Weifang. Because they have new styles of kites. Because they are the winners of the "Kite King".