Joyce Xu/Shangahi Daily news

Games played in childhood always evoke instant nostalgia, particularly the ones that involved playing in the old longtang (alley) or the shikumen (stone-gated) houses in Shanghai.
To keep that entertainment alive, the Chengxingli Neighborhood Committee in downtown Shanghai again will be hosting a special competition involving traditional Chinese "alley games." The competition will be part of this year's upcoming Shanghai Tourism Festival and expatriates are welcome to join in.
"With the popularity of the Internet and Gameboy, the glorious days of 'alley games' from the late 1950s to the 1970s are dying out," says Hong Kemin, director of the neighborhood committee and who has been organizing the games since 2002.
This year, the competition includes zao fangzi (hopscotch), gun lunzi (hoop running), ding hezi (olive-pit clash), da danzi (pellet shot), guan jiezi (tossing up a bean bag while turning mahjong pieces upside down), che lingzi (spindle juggling), tiao jinzi (rubber-band jumping), chou tuozi (peg top spinning) and tao quanzi (ringtoss).
"Participants are able to test their strength, speed, stamina, balance and reaction while having the fun of being in a competition," Hong says. "For the older generations, they can also recapture and relive their own happy childhood memories."
As for expatriates, the event will not only offer them the chance to find out about Shanghai "alley games," it will also help them become more involved in the local folk culture and meet new friends.
"If they don't know how to play these games, no worries," Hong says. "Our instructors will show off their skills in the games and teach newcomers the knack of playing them. After a little time for learning and practice, they can enter into the spirit of the event right away."
And a special "carnival" zone will also be set up during the competition where visitors can relax or enjoy other interactive games.

Date: September 24, 9-11:30am
Application deadline: September 8-15, call 6327-3227 or register on site at 523 Yan'an Rd E.
Application fee: 5 yuan per person