“For (Chinese) students, taking a 60-kilometer night ride between two cities in Henan province seems to be the ultimate expression of fun”, observes the English-language newspaper China Daily. Appearing on social networks, a new trend is for Chinese students to cycle some 60 kilometers from the northern city of Zhengzhou to the former imperial city of Kaifeng to sample the local specialty, ravioli soup, reports the Guardian . But over the weekend, the Chinese authorities suspended the Zhengzhou students’ participation in these nocturnal excursions, after 100,000 to 200,000 people joined the movement.

The phenomenon began in June 2024, when four students from the University of Zhengzhou decided to travel to the town of Kaifeng to taste the local specialty. They shared their adventure on social networks, unaware that many young people would follow suit. Initially, this apolitical grouping was welcomed by the local authorities, who were delighted to promote the tourist activities of this former imperial city. China’s state-run press organ, the People’s Daily, hailed the initiative. “wave of young travelers”.

Abandoned bikes

Except that this Friday, November 8, the phenomenon reached a record number of participants, blocking the six-lane freeway linking the two cities. Numerous videos showing the flow of bikes are circulating on social networks.

Given the scale of the gathering, Kaifeng’s residents and shopkeepers complained about the hundreds of bicycles abandoned by the roadside and the safety problems associated with crowd movements. The authorities finally decided to ban non-motorized vehicles from the highways. Bike-sharing apps also set up no-access zones, and Zhengzhou University restricted off-campus outings. According to GuardianDespite the ban on bicycles, some students continue to walk to Kaifeng.

Although apolitical, this initiative, which brings together thousands of students, is not common in China, where young Chinese are trying to escape from the economic crisis and the pressure of their studies, explains Franceinfo . The phenomenon thus goes beyond a simple appetite for soup ravioli seen on social networks.