As part of the 2026 Shanghai Auto Culture Festival, Xuhang town's fourth Kite Culture Tour commenced on March 28 in Jiading district, combining traditional intangible cultural heritage (ICH) with automotive culture.
The event featured a giant kite flying experience, where families came together to launch a traditional Chinese opera mask kite weighing several kilograms. "It's bigger than my dad's car!" said 8-year-old Liu Lixin after helping lift the kite into the sky.
A giant traditional Chinese opera mask kite takes flight during the Kite Culture Tour. [Photo/jiading.gov.cn]
In addition to the kite activities, a countryside orienteering competition themed "Wheels Rolling" was held, featuring interactive stations offering race car DIY painting and tire craft projects.
Children participate in the Wheels Rolling competition. [Photo/jiading.gov.cn]
The event also featured a striking fashion show, where models from the Self-Reliance Art Troupe showcased garments that blended century-old straw weaving techniques with modern fashion design.
Models walk the runway in garments that blend Xuhang's straw weaving heritage with modern fashion design. [Photo/jiading.gov.cn]
Six local organizations were recognized as "rural co-creation partners". The district also launched a straw planting ecological protection project.
Furthermore, a Xuhang cultural tourism passport was introduced, providing visitors with a guide to explore ICH workshops, farm stays and specialty shops.