Jolin Tsai replaces 30m-long snake prop in Shenzhen concert with boat after criticism from Chinese influencer, fans demand refunds

Fans of Jolin Tsai reacted in frustration when the Mandopop icon opened the Chinese leg of her "Pleasure" world tour in Shenzhen with a watered-down version of the stage design.

The over 20 large-scale, mythical-themed props were the talk of the show when the singer debuted the concert in Taipei, Taiwan, from Dec. 30, 2025, to Jan. 1, 2026.

Gone was the 30-metre-long giant serpent Tsai stood on while singing, slithering around the Taipei Dome — it was replaced with a pirate ship-style boat in Shenzhen on Mar. 7, Taiwan's Newtalk News reported.

Other props, including a huge ceremonial bull procession and a "Golden Pig of Greed" that spat out "pleasure banknotes", were also missing.

These changes came after Chinese netizens raised concerns about the "cult-like" design elements, and purportedly submitted complaints to the authorities.

Some people online have thus speculated that the design was toned down in order to pass censorship requirements in China.

Although some in China's state media have come out to praise it.

Likened to a cult event

Much of the concept for the "Pleasure" tour is tied to that of the Taiwanese pop star's album "Pleasure", which addresses the association of pleasure as a sin.

Tsai has said that the album explores the idea that "pleasure is not a sin, and desire deserves to be embraced".

However, when extended to the concert's stage design, this concept has received contentious interpretations.

After the Taipei shows, mainland Chinese influencer Celia Liang accused Tsai’s concert of involving cult-like symbols in a Xiaohongshu video that has since been deleted.

Along with some supporters, Liang claimed it featured "dark elements from Western religions", and that the large serpent "sucked away audience's luck", according to South China Morning Post.

She also reportedly sought to get Tsai's tour in China cancelled by leading hundreds of people online to report the singer to Chinese city officials.

In response, Tsai's management team filed a lawsuit against Liang in January, saying that she was spreading false information that damaged the singer's reputation.

Demanding refunds

Fans disappointed by the changes at the Shenzhen concert have made complaints to the ticketing platform and the Shenzhen culture bureau, even asking for refunds, Shin Min Daily News reported.

Some, accusing the ticketing platform of false advertising, said its website stated that stunt performers from China's Jiangsu Province spent several months creating a giant python installation.

Tsai will make 15 more stops on her tour in China, with Xiamen being the next.

Some fans have already asked to cancel their tickets for the Xiamen show, according to Shin Min.

Top images from Tsai's Instagram and 林子里的小熊/Xiaohongshu