Shanghai Jazz Festival ： Free Outdoor Shows in Qiantan (Oct 16–Nov 1)

Enjoy free outdoor jazz performances and forums during Shanghai's 17-day JZ Festival from Oct 16 to Nov 1. The event features 146 shows across Qiantan venues, though indoor concerts are excluded.

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Shanghai Jazz Festival ： Free Outdoor Shows in Qiantan (Oct 16–Nov 1)

Shanghai's 17-Day Jazz Festival: Outdoor Shows Are Free

New Bund Chillout 2026 promotional artwork. The jazz festival runs October 16–November 1.

Shanghai is turning parks, streets and the Huangpu riverfront into jazz venues for 17 days—and admission to the festival's outdoor performances and forums is free.

The 2026 JZ Festival runs from October 16 to November 1 in Qiantan, also known as the New Bund. More than 100 musicians from over 20 countries and regions will take part, with 146 performances and industry forums planned across 13 venues.

This is the festival's longest run and largest edition in its 22-year history, according to the announcement carried by Shanghai's culture and tourism authority. Rather than keeping the music inside concert halls, the program spreads it through the neighborhood's public spaces.

What is actually free?

The free-admission offer covers all outdoor performances and forums. It does not include indoor concerts—a distinction worth keeping in mind when looking through the festival lineup.

2026 festival lineup. Indoor concerts are not included in the free-admission offer.

The event forms part of New Bund Chillout 2026, a wider Qiantan festival running from September 20 to November 1. The jazz festival itself starts on October 16.

From a vintage market to four street stages

The opening stretch takes place at Qiantan Sports Park. From October 16 to 18, a vintage jazz market will bring together classic cars, vinyl records and vintage clothing. Sunset picnic concerts follow from October 19 to 23.

On October 24 and 25, the focus shifts to Qiantan Park Lane, also known as New Bund Garden Lane. Last year's single main stage is being expanded into four stages: one large and three smaller ones, with interactive spots spread through the street.

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A family music competition is also scheduled for October 24 at Qiantan Sports Park, as part of a collaboration with Music China, the musical instrument trade fair in Shanghai.

The music moves to the Huangpu

From October 27 to November 1, the riverside program moves to Qiantan Leisure Park, with the Huangpu River as the backdrop to the stage.

Other performances will spread through the area from October 22 to November 1, including Youcheng Park's media plaza, the basketball court at Qiantan Central Garden and Crystal Plaza. Together, the venues make this a festival that moves through the neighborhood, rather than staying on one stage.

2025 festival file photo.

There is more than live music

Music forums will take place at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and the Qiantan 31 performing arts center from October 26 to November 1, bringing together musicians, educators and people working in the music industry.

For readers interested in the outdoor program, the key distinction is simple: the park, street and riverside performances are part of the free-admission offer. Indoor concerts sit outside it.

Source: 上海市文化和旅游局

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China Traditional Nicknames Meaning Pig and Dog Protect Children

Discover why ancient Chinese parents gave children humble nicknames like pig or dog faeces to ward off evil spirits, ensure health, and express love.

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Like people elsewhere in the world, Chinese people often have nicknames in addition to their official names. But some traditional Chinese nicknames may surprise foreigners: they include names meaning “Dog,” “Pig” and even “Dog Faeces.”

China Traditional Nicknames Meaning Pig and Dog Protect Children

Although these names may sound offensive today, they were once given to children out of love and concern for their well-being. In ancient China, parents believed that giving a child a humble or unattractive nickname could help protect them from evil spirits and ensure they grew up healthy.

Why Were Children Given Such Unusual Nicknames?

The tradition dates back to a time when medical technology was limited and child mortality was a serious concern. Parents hoped their children would survive illness and grow up strong. Some believed that an unremarkable or even unpleasant name would attract less attention from evil spirits, helping protect a child from misfortune.

Animal-related names were particularly common because animals were associated with vitality and resilience. Other parents chose names inspired by hard objects, such as stones, iron hammers, iron pillars and locks, expressing their hopes that their children would become strong enough to withstand illness and hardship.

The Northern Song dynasty literary figure Ouyang Xiu (960–1127) discussed this custom in his book Dao Shan Qing Hua noting that families who wanted their children to grow up safely often chose humble names.

Examples of traditional nicknames included gou sheng (literally, “dog leftovers”), gou dan (“dog egg”), gou shi (“dog faeces”) and zhu wa (“piglet”).

Even Emperors and Famous Scholars Had Humble Nicknames.

The custom was not limited to ordinary families. Historical figures, including emperors and celebrated writers, were also known by nicknames that might seem unusual today.

Emperor Wu of the Western Han dynasty (202 BC–9 AD) reportedly had the nickname zhi, meaning “pig” in ancient Chinese.

Sima Xiangru, a celebrated writer and diplomat of the Western Han dynasty, was known as quan zi, meaning “dog’s child.”

Xin Qiji, a renowned poet and general of the Southern Song dynasty (1127–1279), gave his son the nickname tie zhu, meaning “iron pillar,” according to one of his poems.

Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), was nicknamed chong ba, meaning “the eighth,” because he was the eighth child in his family.

These examples show how nicknames could reflect traditional beliefs, family circumstances and parents’ hopes for their children rather than simply serving as terms of affection.

A Nickname That Followed One Woman to University

Although the tradition has largely faded, some families continue to use these nicknames today.

A woman surnamed Zhang, born in the 1980s in northwestern China’s Shaanxi province, shared on social media that her childhood nickname was gou dan (“dog egg”).

The name became a source of embarrassment when her mother visited her at university and called her by the nickname in front of her roommates, who could not help laughing.

“How embarrassed I was at the time! But my mother is used to calling me that. Afterwards, I asked her not to use the name outside the home,” Zhang said.

Her parents had insisted on using the nickname because she had nearly died from an illness when she was only a few months old. For them, the name carried a wish that she would survive and grow up healthy.

Is the Tradition Disappearing?

With advances in modern medicine, most Chinese families no longer feel the same need to give children humble nicknames to ward off misfortune. The custom has largely disappeared in urban areas, although some families, particularly in rural communities, continue to preserve it.

The tradition returned to public discussion in 2024 with the comic television series Gou Sheng Running Quickly, which follows an orphan named gou sheng (“dog leftovers”) as he grows up.

Online reactions revealed different views about the custom. One commenter argued that humble nicknames carry parents’ heartfelt blessings and that the tradition should be preserved.

Another shared that an uncle in his seventies was nicknamed ye hu (“chamber pot”), adding that everyone in the family used the nickname and that he did not even know his uncle’s real name.

What may sound like an insult to outsiders can therefore carry a very different meaning within a family. Behind these unusual nicknames lies an old belief that a humble name could help protect a child — and a parent’s enduring wish for their child to grow up safe and healthy.

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China Traditional Nicknames Meaning Pig and Dog Protect Children

Shanghai Community International School Fall Open House 2026 I October 28

Join the SCIS Fall Open House on October 28, 2026, across Hongqiao and Pudong campuses. Explore IB programs from early years to Grade 12, meet teachers, and tour learning spaces.

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Shanghai Community International School Fall Open House 2026 I October 28

Every stage of school brings something new: new questions to ask, new ideas to explore, and new challenges to take on.

At Shanghai Community International School (SCIS), students move through a continuous IB education from the Early years of Nursery and Preschool to the High-school years from Grades 9 to 12.

This seamless integration of their Elementary, Middle, and High school journeys means higher levels of curiosity, more confidence as a learner, and stronger foundations that are critical to academic success in school, college, and beyond.

Join the SCIS Fall Open House on October 28 to discover what this connected learning at SCIS looks like.

Learning at Every Stage

Primary Years Programme (PYP) Nursery to Grade 5

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At SCIS, beyond conventional courses and subjects, students build knowledge and conceptual understanding by asking questions, investigating ideas, and making connections across their subjects and courses.

They are encouraged to own their choices, reflect on their learning, and build a strong awareness of how they learn.

At the end of Grade 5, through the PYP Exhibition, SCIS students demonstrate their ability to synthesize their learning, apply their diverse skills as they explore an issue, consider different perspectives, and communicate their learning with others.

Middle Years Programme (MYP) Grades 6 to 10

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As SCIS students move into the MYP, they build on what they already know while making deeper connections across eight subjects and applying their learning to real-world contexts. Interdisciplinary work, subject-specific investigations, and foundations in research.

By the end of the MYP, SCIS students have learnt to take ownership of their own learning journey while gaining a deeper understanding of their academic strengths and areas of growth.

At SCIS, Grade 10 students complete a year-long Personal Project that enables them to explore, develop, and apply a concept, skill, or area of interest independently.

Diploma Programme (DP) Grades 11-12

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The IB Diploma Programme at SCIS challenges students to engage deeply with their subjects while developing advanced analytical, research, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Students examine complex questions, consider different perspectives, and learn to manage multiple deadlines and diploma requirements.

Strong Diploma Programme outcomes reflect the academic rigor of the programme and the support available to students at SCIS.

The DP components of Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge further develop students’ ability to build research expertise, question assumptions, evaluate evidence, and document their reflections.

Together, these prepare students for the demands of university study and a range of future pathways.

Learning in Action

At SCIS, learning goes beyond the classroom, taking shape through creative, athletic, leadership, and community experiences that challenge students to apply their skills and work with others.

Arts & Creativity

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Through the arts, students explore ideas, perspectives, and different ways of expressing themselves.

From the art exhibition to the musicals, plays, and concerts, students have opportunities to create, perform, and share their work with different audiences.

Athletics & Teamwork

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Athletics at SCIS gives students opportunities to develop teamwork, discipline, strategy, and perseverance through shared goals and competition.

Students put these skills into practice through ACAMIS volleyball, basketball, and football tournaments, as well as swimming and Field Day, where training, competition, and teamwork come together.

Leadership, Service & Activities

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Leadership, service, and activities at SCIS give students opportunities to take initiative, contribute to their community, and explore interests beyond their regular classes.

Students have led Historic Shanghai city walks, participated in United Nations International Day of Peace and United Nations Day activities, and contributed to the community through initiatives such as the ECE Art Auction.

SCIS Fall Open House 2026

At the Fall Open House, sessions taking place across Hongqiao and Pudong for different age groups, families can explore learning spaces, see student work, meet teachers and school leaders, and learn more about the programs and opportunities available at each stage of the SCIS experience.

Hongqiao Early Childhood Education (ECE) Campus

For Kindergarten to Grade 1

Wednesday, October 28
9-10.30am
2212 Hongqiao Road, Changning

Hongqiao Campus

For Grades 2 to 5

Wednesday, October 28
11am-12.30pm
1161 Hongqiao Road, Changning

For Grades 6 to 12

Wednesday, October 28
9.30-10.45am
1161 Hongqiao Road, Changning

Pudong Campus

For Preschool to Grade 12

Wednesday, October 28
11am-12.30pm
198 Hengqiao Road, Pudong

Register for the SCIS Fall Open House 2026!

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