A nighttime cycling phenomenon, born from the whimsy of university students, has taken central China by storm over the past few weeks. The viral trend, which saw thousands of cyclists pedaling 80 kilometers from Zhengzhou to Kaifeng in search of iconic soup dumplings, has captured the nation’s attention and sparked concern among authorities. While initially met with praise as a wholesome and spirited activity, authorities in Henan province have now intervened, imposing restrictions amid mounting safety issues on the busy highway.
The activity gained momentum after a group of university students shared on social media their impromptu nighttime journey from Zhengzhou to Kaifeng, lured by the promise of sampling Kaifeng’s famous dumplings, known for their savory flavor and rich broth. Little did they know, their casual bike trip would inspire thousands more to follow suit, transforming the highway into an impromptu “Night Riding Great Army,” packed with cyclists ranging from friends on rented bikes to hobbyist groups on customized rides.
The spark for the nighttime rides was ignited by a post on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, where university students shared their spontaneous evening bike ride to Kaifeng. The group’s lighthearted escapade to enjoy local cuisine quickly resonated with young people, many of whom are coping with economic challenges and a desire for affordable, local adventures. Photos and videos of the journey — showing carefree groups of cyclists on vibrant shared bikes cruising through moonlit highways — went viral almost instantly.
Social media amplified the trend, with hundreds of posts under hashtags translating to “Night Dumpling Ride” and “Dumpling Pilgrimage.” Young people across the country were drawn to the spirit of the ride, which combined the thrill of adventure, the allure of cheap travel, and the promise of authentic culinary rewards at the end of the journey.
“I’ve never felt so alive, biking under the stars with friends and strangers alike. It’s the kind of memory you can’t buy,” said Li Jun, a college student who joined one of the rides.
What began as a small, grassroots endeavor soon exploded into a logistical challenge for the Henan province. As thousands of cyclists gathered each evening on the highway, the journey created massive congestion on a motorway not intended for non-motorized traffic. By early October, videos and images showed the multi-lane road teeming with cyclists, many pedaling side-by-side or taking breaks by the roadside, inadvertently obstructing vehicle traffic.
Local authorities, who initially welcomed the rides as a healthy and community-centered activity, soon recognized the public safety risks posed by the escalating crowd sizes. On November 9, provincial police issued a public notice: the highway would be closed to non-motorized vehicles during peak hours from 4 p.m. to noon the following day to prevent further disruption.
The Kaifeng city government also issued a statement, highlighting the hazards posed by thousands of cyclists on the highway. “(You) have demonstrated the wilful whimsy of youth,” the statement read, “but … more and more people are starting to worry about the hidden dangers.”
The decision to curb the dumpling rides marks a turning point in China’s handling of spontaneous youth-led social trends. Recognizing the cultural phenomenon at hand, authorities have refrained from outright banning the rides, instead instituting targeted measures to mitigate risks. This includes geographic restrictions imposed by three major bike-sharing companies, which have announced that shared bicycles will automatically lock when riders attempt to enter restricted areas on the highway.
The clampdown has been met with mixed reactions online. While some praised the government’s approach as a balanced response to a potential hazard, others lamented the restrictions, viewing them as curtailing youthful freedom and spontaneity.
“We’re only going to be young once, guys. Life’s hardships are also what give it some spice!” read a caption on one of the popular Douyin videos documenting the rides. This sentiment is echoed by many young Chinese who view these nighttime escapades as a break from the pressures of a struggling job market, economic uncertainties, and the intense work culture of China’s cities.
The dumpling pilgrimage aligns with a broader trend known as “special forces tourism,” where young Chinese tourists pack as many activities as possible into short, intensive trips. It’s an approach that values experiences and affordability, often involving little planning, low-cost travel options, and tight schedules. The trend is seen as a response to the high costs of travel and a growing economic precarity that has left millions of Chinese youth grappling with unemployment and underemployment.
The popularity of such tourism highlights a key demographic shift in China: young people, while economically constrained, are seeking moments of escapism through local adventures, including culinary tourism and rural explorations. Similar phenomena have sprouted in recent years, with towns famous for regional foods, unique hotpots, or barbecue styles temporarily finding themselves in the national spotlight as new generations discover them through social media.
“Special forces tourism allows us to see the country without breaking the bank,” said Chen Wei, a recent graduate and cycling enthusiast. “It’s all about spontaneity and shared memories, and that’s something that really appeals to us.”
Social media platforms, especially Douyin and Xiaohongshu (China’s equivalent to Instagram), have amplified this trend by making once obscure locations and experiences widely accessible. This online influence has, however, created challenges for local authorities who must balance the economic and cultural benefits of social media-fueled tourism against the potential for overcrowding and environmental impact.
For local businesses in Kaifeng, the dumpling craze has brought an unexpected economic boon. Dumpling restaurants, cafes, and even small street vendors have seen a surge in customers thanks to the influx of cyclists. However, some proprietors have expressed concerns about sustaining this level of traffic, as the city’s infrastructure struggles to accommodate the nightly surge in visitors.
Authorities in Kaifeng are considering how best to harness the trend while ensuring that both tourists and locals are safe. Plans for alternative cycling routes, traffic re-routing, and new parking zones for shared bikes have been proposed to make the rides safer and more manageable. Despite the challenges, city officials acknowledge that the dumpling rides have boosted the city’s visibility and brought in much-needed revenue.
The dumpling pilgrimage sheds light on the broader cultural and economic challenges faced by China’s youth today. The country is grappling with an economic slowdown, with youth unemployment reaching new highs. Many young people are unable to find work in their fields, while those who do often contend with China’s notorious “996” work culture, where employees are expected to work from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week.
Against this backdrop, activities like the dumpling rides reflect a yearning for moments of unstructured freedom, where young people can temporarily escape their daily stresses and rigid routines. The trend also underscores the collective desire among Chinese youth for affordable, accessible ways to create lasting memories, even if it means joining thousands on a late-night bike ride to a dumpling shop in another city.
For Chinese officials, these youth-led social trends represent both an opportunity and a challenge. On one hand, they provide a boost to domestic tourism and help stimulate local economies; on the other, they highlight the mounting frustrations among young people and the limitations of traditional tourism infrastructure.
