China roads blocked by thousands of cyclists in night quest for dumplings

In a surprising turn of events, a social media trend in China led to thousands of college students creating a massive traffic jam while cycling at night in search of dumplings. This unusual incident took place on November 9, 2024, when students from Zhengzhou decided to embark on a nighttime journey to Kaifeng, a city located about 50 kilometers away. What began as a simple quest for breakfast dumplings quickly escalated into a chaotic scene, with thousands of cyclists clogging the roads between the two cities in central China. Initially, local government and state media had encouraged this trend, believing it would boost the economy of the historic city of Kaifeng. However, the outcome was far from what they had anticipated. Tens of thousands of students rented bikes and rode through the night, creating a long line of cyclists on the expressway. Police were forced to use loudspeakers to urge the cyclists to disperse, while bike rental companies warned that they would remotely lock bikes taken too far from Zhengzhou. This event is part of a larger trend among young Chinese people who are seeking affordable travel options, especially in a time when the economy is struggling and job opportunities are limited. The trend began in June when four university students cycled 50 kilometers to Kaifeng to try guantangbao, a type of soup dumpling. One of the students expressed the sentiment, 'You don't get a second chance at youth, so you must go for a spontaneous trip with friends. ' This message resonated with many young people in Zhengzhou, a city with a population of 12. 6 million, who have been feeling overwhelmed by the pressures of a competitive job market. Thus, the social media trend known as 'Night Ride to Kaifeng' was born. Initially, state media praised the event as a demonstration of young people's enthusiasm and passion. Local officials viewed it as an opportunity to attract visitors to Kaifeng, especially since many people were coming to enjoy the city's famous barbecues. In anticipation of the event, Kaifeng's officials even announced discounts and special events aimed at college students, hoping to create a festive atmosphere. They also implemented additional traffic control measures to ensure the safety of the cyclists. One participant, a 27-year-old woman named Ms. Li, shared her experience, saying, 'Everyone was beaming with energy and interacting with people around them. It was like back to my college days. ' She decided to join the ride after seeing a post about it, wanting to 'live like a young person for once. ' However, as the night progressed, the excitement turned into frustration as the roads became overwhelmed with cyclists. Pictures shared on social media depicted serious congestion on the main routes from Zhengzhou to Kaifeng. One witness reported that a drive that typically took one hour took three hours instead. Some cyclists were forced to dismount and push their bikes through the crowd. While there was no official estimate of the number of bicycles on the road that night, social media reports suggested that the number ranged from 100,000 to 200,000. Many of those who finally reached Kaifeng were left disappointed by their experience. One student, who rode for over seven hours, lamented, 'I really regret going. ' They struggled to find a taxi or a hotel room due to the overwhelming demand. While dining at a restaurant, the student overheard the owner criticizing college students for having nothing better to do. They expressed remorse for causing disruption in Kaifeng. Some social media users criticized the cyclists for their 'irresponsible' behavior, including littering. As the traffic situation worsened, three major bike rental companies in China issued a joint statement urging students to consider using trains or buses for long-distance travel and to avoid biking at night for safety reasons. By Saturday afternoon, these companies began charging extra fees for those who rode their bikes to a different city. Multiple social media posts indicated that some universities in Zhengzhou had instructed students to return to their dormitories and imposed restrictions on their ability to leave campus. Traffic police in both Zhengzhou and Kaifeng closed off some of the main cycling lanes between the two cities over the weekend. It is not surprising to see officials in both cities pushing back, as Chinese authorities have a history of cracking down on large gatherings, fearing they could lead to protests or any form of political expression. Last month, there were concerns that celebrations might be used to express dissent. Ms. Li believes that spontaneous gatherings like the Night Ride to Kaifeng will continue to occur simply because they resonate with young people. 'People are so stressed these days, so these events are a good thing,' she says. 'Because happiness is infectious.