In Henan province, China, the city of Kaifeng has unexpectedly become a hotspot for a cycling trend that has prompted authorities to advise cyclists to steer clear. What started as an unplanned adventure by four college students from Zhengzhou has turned into a viral sensation, with thousands of students embarking on nighttime bike rides to Kaifeng—approximately 50 kilometers away—to taste the city’s renowned guantangbao, a type of soup dumpling.
The initial journey by the four students in June quickly gained traction on social media, leading to the creation of the hashtag “Youth has no price, night ride to Kaifeng has it,” which became popular and symbolized youthful vigor and shared experiences. The bike ride’s popularity grew so much that on some nights, long queues of cyclists were seen lining the roads, causing considerable traffic disruptions and safety issues.
In response to the increase in nocturnal riders, traffic police in both Zhengzhou and Kaifeng implemented temporary measures to close bike lanes along Zhengkai Avenue, the road linking the two cities, to alleviate traffic problems and ensure public safety. Residents of Kaifeng also reported challenges such as bikes being improperly parked near city landmarks, complicating pedestrian movement in those areas.
The three major bike-sharing companies in the province — Hellobike, DiDi Bike, and Mobike — released a joint statement indicating that bikes would be locked if taken outside of specified zones in Zhengzhou and cautioned about the health risks associated with riding shared bikes over long distances. The Kaifeng government urged students to avoid riding in large groups, reminding them that “youth needs passion but also safety,” and encouraged students to prioritize public safety.
Despite the restrictions and the halt in late-night biking, many students are left with cherished memories and a sense of community. This phenomenon has also sparked conversations about the difficulties of promoting tourism in less developed regions and cultivating a positive youth culture in China, where rapid popularity can sometimes overwhelm a destination or activity. The trend has underscored the popularity of bike-sharing systems and the increasing inclination towards active and adventurous forms of tourism among young people.
