Debra Li

    EVEN though it was very cold on Wednesday, the third day of the Chinese New Year, Zhou Jianguo and his team of kite fans gathered punctually at 2 p.m. at their regular meeting point, a pavilion near the Xiantong Sports Park in Luohu District.

    At the southern foot of Wutong Mountain, the spot is full of hikers and other sport fans on a sunny weekend. On a cold gusty day, however, Zhou and several other seniors were among the few who would stay outdoors.

    “Flying kites is a traditional Chinese sport,” said Zhou, in his 60s. “It is good for your cervical spine and strengthens your arms and hands. Not to mention the fun of seeing your kite flying high in the sky.”

    The team regularly has five to six members, all retirees living in the Liantang Community nearby. They walk 20 minutes or ride a bicycle to the pavilion every afternoon to fly kites, if not otherwise occupied.

    “We are punctual to meet at 2 p.m., just like you young people go to work,” another senior joked.

    Zhou, a serious kite fan, said the kite-related sales in Shenzhen reached millions of yuan last year. The Sichuan native bought his thread wheel at taobao.com and paid more than 300 yuan (US$47). A 2-meter-wide kite would cost about 80 yuan. But unlike others, Zhou has made his own kites. He purchased glass fiber sticks to make the frames and sewed his kites with colorful nylon cloth bought from wholesale markets.

    “It took two days to finish a complex kite,” he said. “I started from drawing the design and did every stitch myself.”

    On Wednesday, Zhou flew a handmade panda kite. His more than 30 handmade kites include a 4-meter-long shark kite and a pretty mermaid kite.

    “Spring Festival is the most important traditional Chinese festival,” Zhou said. “With my children home taking care of all the household chores, I am happy to sneak out and have some fun here. It’s also appropriate to fly a kite, since it’s another Chinese tradition.”