In an unexpected turn of events, a social media trend that initially aimed to celebrate youth culture led to severe traffic disruptions between two cities in central China. It all began with four university students who embarked on a bicycle trip from Zhengzhou to Kaifeng to indulge in guantangbao, a popular soup dumpling. This spontaneous journey sparked a frenzy on social media, with the hashtag “Night Ride to Kaifeng” encouraging tens of thousands to join the overnight ride.
The local government saw this as an opportunity to boost Kaifeng's economy, similar to a phenomenon that took place in Zibo last year, and officials announced discounts for college students to entice them to visit. However, this encouraging momentum quickly transformed into chaos on Friday night when police struggled to manage the influx of cyclists on the main expressway connecting the two cities.
As the number of cyclists skyrocketed, so did the frustrations. Many cyclists found themselves stuck in severe traffic jams that extended their travel time significantly—one rider noted a journey that normally took an hour stretched to three. With some estimates suggesting there were up to 200,000 cyclists, the experience turned sour for many who arrived in Kaifeng, as hotel rooms became fully booked and taxis were nowhere to be found.
Online reactions varied; while some enjoyed the spirit of the night, others lamented their choices, stating they regretted participating in the events. The chaos prompted bike rental companies to warn users against returning their bicycles from outside Zhengzhou and instead suggested alternatives like trains or buses for longer distances.
Adding to the frustrations, social media commentary unveiled criticism of the cyclists for littering and disrupting local life. In the aftermath, many universities in Zhengzhou responded by imposing restrictions on student movements. Local authorities, wary of large gatherings, have a history of monitoring such events closely.
As the trend surprised officials, many young people echoed sentiments of burnout and a desire to seek joy in spontaneous experiences. Although the Night Ride to Kaifeng may have begun as a light-hearted quest for dumplings, it became a moment of reflection on youth’s struggles in contemporary China.
