An event in China where thousands of cyclists caused road blockages during a nighttime pursuit to find dumplings.
A social media trend encouraging a quest for breakfast dumplings turned into chaos as thousands of cyclists from Zhengzhou flooded a six-lane expressway to Kaifeng, causing traffic gridlock. The viral event, meant to boost Kaifeng’s economy, backfired, and police used loudspeakers to disperse the cyclists, while bike rental firms threatened to remotely lock the rented bikes.
The event is part of a trend where young Chinese, facing economic struggles and limited job opportunities, are opting for cheap travel experiences. It started with four university students who cycled 50km from Zhengzhou to Kaifeng in June to try soup dumplings, inspired by the idea of seizing spontaneous adventures. This message resonated with many young people in Zhengzhou, who are increasingly feeling burnout from the competitive job market, leading to the creation of the “Night Ride to Kaifeng” trend.
State media initially praised the trend as a sign of young people’s “passion,” and local officials saw it as a chance to recreate the success of Zibo’s barbecue fame. Before the gridlock, Kaifeng had even announced discounts and events for college students and added traffic measures for safety. Many, like 27-year-old Ms. Li, joined the ride to relive youthful experiences, though the event was heavily monitored by police, ambulances, and drones.
The mood shifted as thousands of bikes overwhelmed the roads between Zhengzhou and Kaifeng, causing serious congestion. A usual one-hour drive took three hours, and some riders had to push their bikes through the crowd. While no official count was given, social media reports estimated between 100,000 and 200,000 cyclists on the road.
Many cyclists who made it to Kaifeng regretted the experience. One student, who cycled over seven hours, struggled to find a taxi or hotel due to high demand and felt criticized by locals. Some online users also criticized the cyclists for “irresponsible” actions, including littering.
As the gridlock intensified, three major bike platforms in China urged students to opt for trains or buses for long trips and avoid night cycling for safety. By Saturday afternoon, the companies began charging riders who traveled to different cities. Some universities in Zhengzhou restricted students from leaving campus, while traffic police in both Zhengzhou and Kaifeng closed key cycling lanes over the weekend.
Authorities in both cities pushed back against the event, as Chinese officials often crack down on large gatherings to prevent potential protests or political expression. For example, last month, police in Shanghai suppressed Halloween celebrations over concerns of dissent. However, Ms. Li believes that spontaneous gatherings like the Night Ride to Kaifeng will continue, as they provide an outlet for stressed young people seeking joy, which she sees as “infectious.”
In conclusion, while authorities in Zhengzhou and Kaifeng took action against the event due to concerns over large gatherings, the appeal of spontaneous activities like the Night Ride to Kaifeng remains strong. These events offer young people a chance to relieve stress and experience joy, suggesting that such gatherings will continue to emerge as a form of escape in a challenging environment.
