Introduction
Mahjong Shanghai Dynasty is a digital version of the classic tile-matching game, Mahjong Solitaire, which draws inspiration from the traditional Chinese game of Mahjong. Originally released by Activision in 1997, this game has been recreated over the years in various formats, including Flash and HTML5, making it widely accessible online. It offers a relaxing yet engaging experience with no time limits or scoring system, focusing purely on the satisfaction of clearing the board.
The game features two distinct modes: “Shanghai,” which uses the full set of 144 tiles arranged in a traditional “Turtle” layout, and “For Kids,” a simplified version with only 32 tiles from a single suit, making it ideal for beginners or younger players. With its iconic Chinese symbols—such as bamboo, dots, characters, winds, dragons, flowers, and seasons—Mahjong Shanghai Dynasty provides an authentic yet approachable take on this timeless puzzle.
How to play
Tile matching rules
The goal is to remove all tiles from the board by matching pairs of identical tiles until none remain.
- Tiles can only be selected and matched if they are “free.” A tile is free if:
- It has no tile on top of it (fully uncovered).
- It has at least one side (left or right) unobstructed by other tiles.
- Match two tiles that are identical in design. For example:
- Bamboo tiles must match with identical Bamboo tiles.
- Dragon tiles (Red, Green, White) match with their respective counterparts.
- Flower and Season tiles are an exception: any Flower tile can match with any other Flower tile, and any Season tile can match with any other Season tile.
Gameplay
- Use your mouse to click on a tile to select it, then click its matching pair to remove both from the board. On touchscreen devices, tap the tiles instead.
- As you remove pairs, new tiles may become free, revealing more matching opportunities.
- Plan your moves carefully—removing the wrong tiles first might block access to others, leaving you unable to continue.
