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Tens of thousands of university students embarked on nighttime bicycle journeys seeking soup dumplings, creating an unexpected social phenomenon that later faced restrictions from authorities due to its overwhelming popularity in central China’s Kaifeng city.
The movement gained momentum on Chinese social media after four female university students from Zhengzhou travelled to Kaifeng to sample its renowned “tangbao.” Their journey inspired thousands of students to participate in similar adventures.
Students hired shared bicycles and travelled in groups during nighttime from Zhengzhou to Kaifeng. The 40-mile journey along the Yellow River attracted numerous participants, united by the motto “youth is priceless.”
The massive gathering moved at a slow pace, with some participants displaying the Chinese flag whilst others rested in parks upon reaching Kaifeng, as evidenced by shared photographs and videos.
Ji Pengbo, a 19-year-old engineering student, participated in the Friday night ride after discovering it on Douyin. The event’s slogan particularly motivated his participation, as he and his friends sought to experience the excitement firsthand, reported NBC News.
Ji described encountering numerous fellow university students, supportive police officers, and volunteers offering water during the journey. He shared his experience of riding in the evening atmosphere, surrounded by the collective enthusiasm of fellow cyclists.
However, authorities implemented restrictions by Saturday afternoon. The Henan police closed nonmotorised lanes between the cities until Sunday noon, citing safety issues.
Subsequently, China’s primary bike-sharing services – Hellobike, DiDi Bike, and Mobike – issued warnings against riding beyond designated areas, implementing automatic locks and additional charges for violations.
Initially, local tourism authorities embraced the trend. Kaifeng’s tourism bureau celebrated the phenomenon, offering various incentives including free admission to attractions and annual passes for cycling visitors.
The authorities’ stance later shifted towards criticism. China Comment, a Communist Party magazine, emphasised the societal costs of such activities, advocating for responsible freedom through self-discipline.
Hongsheng Zhu, from Lingnan University, Hong Kong, attributes the phenomenon’s national prominence to social media algorithms and mainstream media coverage.
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