A social media trend intended to celebrate youth and cheap travel spiraled into chaos this weekend, as tens of thousands of cyclists clogged a major expressway between two cities in central China, causing massive traffic gridlock.
The event, which began as a fun quest for breakfast dumplings, turned into a transportation nightmare as cyclists flooded the six-lane expressway from Zhengzhou to Kaifeng. What started as a small-scale cycling trip by a group of four university students quickly grew into a viral phenomenon, attracting thousands of participants on rented bikes. Police were forced to intervene, using loudspeakers to urge the cyclists to disperse, while bike rental companies warned they would remotely lock any bikes taken from Zhengzhou.
The saga began in June, when four university students cycled 50 kilometers (30 miles) from Zhengzhou to Kaifeng, eager to try guantangbao, a type of local soup dumpling. “You don’t get a second chance at youth, so you must go for a spontaneous trip with friends,” one of the students told local media. This message of youthful spontaneity resonated with young people in Zhengzhou, a city of 12.6 million, where many have expressed frustration with the highly competitive job market and increasing burnout.
Thus was born the “Night Ride to Kaifeng” trend, which quickly spread across social media. State media initially hailed the trend as a symbol of young people’s “passion,” while local officials saw it as an opportunity to boost Kaifeng’s economy. The city, hoping to replicate the success of Zibo, a town that saw a tourism surge after becoming known for its barbecues, announced discounts and events for college students in anticipation of the crowds.
However, the event quickly outpaced expectations. On Friday night, as thousands of cyclists made their way to Kaifeng, the expressway became overwhelmed. Emergency services, including ambulances and traffic police cars, were frequently seen on both sides of the road, and drones were deployed to monitor the situation. Despite the challenges, many cyclists remained undeterred.
“I decided to join and live like a young person for once,” said 27-year-old Ms. Li, who rode a motorbike to Kaifeng to join the cyclists. “It was like going back to my college days,” she added, noting the festive atmosphere despite the police presence.
Although the event caused significant disruptions, it highlights the growing trend of young Chinese seeking affordable and spontaneous adventures amid economic uncertainty. Despite the chaos, the viral trend has sparked conversations about youth culture, social media influence, and the changing landscape of China’s job market.
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