What began as a spontaneous bike ride for dumplings by four Chinese students has grown into a massive youth trend, drawing an estimated 100,000 people cycling between the cities of Zhengzhou and Kaifeng in Henan province. The viral event took off on Chinese social media as a budget-friendly night adventure, inspiring waves of young people to undertake the 50-kilometer ride for a taste of Kaifeng’s famous soup dumplings and a sense of freedom from everyday pressures.

100,000 Chinese students joined a 50km night bike ride for Kaifeng’s famous soup dumplings, crowding roads and overwhelming the city.
Starting as a casual trend by four students, the night ride grew fast, filling Zhengkai avenue with cyclists. Authorities responded by locking… pic.twitter.com/ocwjSxtTHT

— Eagle News Feed (@eagle_feed) November 11, 2024

The cycling movement initially started in June when four college students from Zhengzhou biked overnight to Kaifeng for a meal of the city’s popular oversized soup dumplings, known locally as “guan tang bao.” Their journey, shared widely on social media with the hashtag “youth is priceless,” quickly captured the imagination of thousands of young people who resonated with the idea of a carefree, affordable adventure. By mid-year, thousands had joined the “night riding army” for similar rides, transforming what began as a simple trip for dumplings into a large-scale social phenomenon.

On June 4th female college students cycled 50km from #Zhengzhou to #Kaifeng to try the city’s breakfast specialty, soup dumplings. Their 4-hour journey gained attention on social media, celebrated as an expression of “youth, passion, vitality”. [🧵] pic.twitter.com/0qS9UM2WjY

— Cycling Professor 🚲 (@fietsprofessor) November 10, 2024

As crowds swelled, authorities and residents began to express concern over the impact on Kaifeng’s infrastructure and daily life. On November 8, the event reached new heights, as an estimated 100,000 participants poured into the small tourist city, causing severe gridlock on main roads and overwhelming local facilities. Reports from participants indicated a lack of available hotel rooms, with some cyclists even resorting to sleeping in parks. Local residents complained of litter and crowded streets, prompting backlash from some students who felt they had disrupted the city.

In response, several bike-sharing companies imposed restrictions, locking down bikes and charging additional fees for bikes taken out of Zhengzhou. Traffic police in Kaifeng closed cycling lanes and urged participants to use buses or trains instead. Despite these measures, groups of determined riders reportedly continued, with some students even choosing to walk to Kaifeng after cycling restrictions were imposed.

The trend continues to attract attention in other cities across China, where smaller groups have started organizing similar night rides.