But the joyful mood quickly changed. The roads in Zhengzhou became littered with thousands of bicycles.
Photos circulating online show severe traffic jams on major roads from Zhengzhou to Kaifeng. One of the witnesses told local media Jimu News that his trip on the same route, which normally took one hour, took three.
Some riders shared on social media that they were forced to get off their bikes and fight their way through the crowd.
There was no official estimate of the number of bikes on the road Friday night. But social media reports suggest the number ranged from 100,000 to 200,000.
Many who made it to Kaifeng didn’t have a good time either.
One viral post from a student who drove more than seven hours said they couldn’t get a taxi or a hotel room because demand was so high.
“I really regret going. As I was sitting in the restaurant eating my food, I heard the owner criticizing the college students for not having anything to do… I am very sorry that I have affected people in Kaifeng,” the student said on social media. Xiaohongshu platform.
As the standoff worsened, China’s three major bicycle rental platforms issued a joint statement urging students to use trains or buses for long-distance trips and to avoid using bicycles at night for safety reasons.
By Saturday afternoon, the companies had started charging those traveling to another city.
Multiple reports indicate that some universities in Zhengzhou have asked students to return to their dormitories and imposed restrictions on them leaving campus.
Some social media users have criticized cyclists for “irresponsible” behavior such as littering.
On Saturday and Sunday, traffic police in Zhengzhou and Kaifeng blocked some major bike lanes between the two cities.
It is also not surprising to see the authorities in the two cities refusing, as the Chinese authorities have always cracked down on large gatherings to ensure stability.
last month, The police in Shanghai stopped the celebration of Halloween out of concern that the festivities could turn into a platform for dissent.
But Ms Li believes that events and trends such as Kaifeng Night Trip will continue to attract young Chinese.
“People are very stressed these days, so these events are good. Because happiness is contagious.”
