China. Roads blocked by tens of thousands of young students

“Night ride to Kaifeng” is a trend that emerged on Chinese social media and – as described by the British BBC – involves young Chinese choosing cheap travel options as a gesture of opposition to the faltering economy and poor job prospects. The trend was started in June by several students who decided to ride bicycles from the city of Zhengzhou (the capital of Henan Province) to Kaifeng, approximately 50 kilometers away. The destination of the trip was tangbao from Kaifeng – dumplings filled with “soup”, or more precisely, a gelatinous filling, usually with meat, which changes its consistency to semi-liquid when steamed.

As reported by the BBC, one of the participants allegedly told local media: “there is no second chance at youth, so you have to go on a spontaneous trip with friends.” The statement was intended to spark a stir among other young people in this city of more than 12 million people who are struggling with burnout caused by an overly competitive job market.

State media praised the trend, describing it as a demonstration of passion among young citizens. The local government of the ancient city of Kaifeng even started announcing discounts and events aimed at students. Additionally, they engaged services to ensure the safety of cyclists.

However, this excitement quickly faded when the joyful mood was overshadowed by traffic jams on the main roads between Zhengzhou and Kaifeng. The BBC noted that one person told local news outlet Jimu News that the route between the two cities usually took an hour but had now extended to three hours. “Some cyclists shared on social media that they were forced to get off their bikes and push through the crowd,” described the British portal. He added that there are no official statistics on how many two-wheelers traveled on the described route in one night, but reports on social media show that the number ranged from 100,000 to 200,000 people.

One of the students who managed to reach his destination admitted in a video that he “regretted” taking part in a journey that was supposed to take him over seven hours. Another student wrote that while eating at a restaurant in Kaifeng, he heard the owner criticizing students for not having better things to do. “I'm really sorry,” he said in the post, addressing the city's residents.

Some Internet users did not approve of the visitors – they criticized the tour participants for irresponsible behavior, such as littering. Three companies offering bicycle rentals also commented on the matter. Together they issued a statement in which they encouraged students to use buses and trains to travel longer distances. These companies also started charging fees from people who rode bikes outside the city.

Local officials are now trying to stop these expeditions by sending police to the scene and closing bike paths.

According to the New York Times, students started sharing information about their universities' reactions on Chinese websites. According to them, schools have started prohibiting students from leaving campus without permission. Some students said that the restrictions would not stop them and that they would go to their destination on foot.

“These are the only years in my life when I don't have to worry about other things, so I want to create memories that will last,” said engineering student Li. – Once I start working, there will be no opportunity to do this anymore – he added.

A final-year student told the West China City Daily that she was so busy looking for a job that she felt like she was stuck in a bottomless pit. She revealed to the newspaper that these night trips were an adventure for her. She added that a bicycle trip accompanied by music, interspersed with conversations with a friend, helped her relax. The student said that her worries and fears decreased after an overnight trip to Kaifeng.