A first-person account by one student who joined a night ride to Kaifeng, its origins, and the descent of a fun-filled experience into authoritarian control.

By Cindy Carter | China Digital Times

Summary

When a sea of college students from Zhengzhou embraced the thrill of late-night bike rides to the nearby city of Kaifeng for food and fun, the surge of youth—over 100,000 in one night—placed officials on edge.

Beyond traffic jams, litter, and safety concerns, the spectacle of so many young cyclists raised the spectre of past protests, such as the White Paper protests of late 2022 and the Shanghai Halloween revelry of 2023. Inevitably, “Kaifeng night ride” prompted government crackdowns. Authorities increased patrols, imposed curfews, and restricted bike-sharing services to designated areas. Despite going viral on social media, discussions about the night rides encountered censorship, with some posts disappearing and even the name “Kaifeng” being temporarily blocked online.

Zhengzhou, a bustling city of 12.6 million with 40 colleges, offers little privacy for students living in crowded dorms. For many, the 50-kilometer ride to scenic Kaifeng was an escape from confinement, a chance to celebrate being young, and to enjoy Kaifeng’s famous soup dumplings.

One college student, Yang Yu (18), has shared her adventure of biking to Kaifeng with China Digital Times. She talks about her motivations for going, the criticism she received from her mother and others afterwards, and the experience of being infantilized by college administrators.

Initially reluctant to make the four-hour journey to Kaifeng at all, Yang Yu said she was persuaded by her boyfriend’s desire for unforgettable memories. After a frustrating search for rental bikes, they finally set off, joining waves of fellow cyclists along the way. The camaraderie was infectious, with music and laughter filling the air as they rode through the night.

On reaching Kaifeng at dawn, they were greeted by a scene overflowing with bikes and sleepy students. After a brief rest, Yang Yu and her friends explored the city before heading back to Zhengzhou to face mixed reactions from family and friends.

As the night rides continued, what had started as a joyful outing led to chaos, curfews, and restrictions. Many students felt stifled by the new rules, expressing frustration over being even more confined, forced to stay on campus, and treated like children.

In the place of excitement, students were left to grapple with disappointment, and to wonder when they would reclaim their freedom.

Read the full first-person account by Yang Yu at the publisher’s website here [translated by China Digital Times].