November 11, 2024 - (Kaifeng, China) A night-time cycling trend that started in June with four Chinese students riding 50km from Zhengzhou to Kaifeng for dumplings, blew out of proportion to a reported 100,000+ people on Nov. 8, jamming major roads, and overwhelming the small tourist city while drawing the attention of authorities reports the Guardian.
Initially the wholesome and non-political activity was welcomed by authorities as Kaifeng is one of many Chinese cities trying to attract more domestic tourists. The surge of young travellers to Kaifeng had peaked at about 2,000 on the previous weekend but jumped to 17,000. Then on Friday, Nov. 8 it increased as much as ten-fold, with estimates of between 100,000 and 200,000 students jamming the road – watch video below.
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