Neither making nor flying kites is proprietary to the Lhasa people. But it is an integral part of Tibetan recreational customs. First we must consider the history of kite-flying in Lhasa which is said to be, 1,000 years old. Second, there are some characteristics in Lhasa in either making or playing different from any other place.

The characteristics are: 1) almost all are prismatic in shape; 2) all are white in color; 3) all the painting patterns are religious ones, for instance, the pattern of the shank trumpet, a religious object, meaning fast flying and immense supernatural power.

The time of flying kites is also quite special. China s Han people fly kites almost all year round, yet most favorably in spring; while in Lhasa, the kite-flying time is strictly limited in the period between early August and late October, during the barley harvest. Because the local people hole that kite ?flying is connected to the actions of God. For example, if the kite is flown earlier than the harvest, it will bring the wind ahead of the schedule, and that may leave the wind not strong enough to winnow the grain during the harvest. Whereas if it is flown later than that period, it will bring the evil of disease down to the earth because it is too cold. Therefore, they believe the best time of flying is the barely harvest period. During this time you can see a lot of kites flying above, adding a nice vision to the beautiful city.

The most distinctive characteristic is the aim of kite-flying. To a beginner, flying kites is no more than a personal amusement, whose emotion goes with the ups and downs of the kite. That is all. But to a proficient flyer, the ultimate aim is to 'combat'and defeat others.

To do this, the makes a lot of preparations. By and large, he will not buy any kite from shops, because he does not think is strong enough for 'combat' Rather, he will do it himself with great elaboration starting from the skeleton. The materials shall be selected particularly. For example, the paper should be quality Tibetan native paper used for scripture, which is light and robust against the wind. The kite should be prismatic in shape, so that is can be agile during the combat. The string for the kite is also not an ordinary one. It should be made of silk and cotton blend, and be coated with the home-made glass cement to be sharp enough to cut off the enemy's string. After the 'combat' the coating on the string may be worn out due to friction; there fore it shall be coated again with glass cement before the next 'combat' The pilot flight and adjustment shall also be needed after the fabrication is completed.