Tourists Chase High-Octane Thrill in China’s Trending Biker Capital

Chongqing, China's burgeoning "biker capital," is drawing tourists eager for high-octane thrills and personalized videos. Visitors are renting motorcycles and hiring drivers and videographers to capture cinematic moments against the city's iconic neon-lit, cyberpunk backdrop. Despite sweltering heat, tourists like Liu Changqing, who flew in from Shanghai, prioritize these video shoots, highlighting the trend's popularity. The city has actively encouraged motorcycling, a stark contrast to many other Chinese cities that have imposed restrictions. What started as a local passion for sharing videos online has exploded into a major tourist draw, with videos tagged to the trend accumulating over 1.3 billion views on Douyin, China's version of TikTok. This surge in popularity has elevated Chongqing's motorcycle culture to national prominence and even garnered international attention. The city's affinity for two-wheelers is deeply rooted in its history as a manufacturing hub. Since 1979, when Jialing began producing civilian motorcycles, the city has become a powerhouse, accounting for over a third of China's total motorbike production. Unlike many cities dominated by electric scooters, Chongqing remains open to traditional gasoline-powered motorcycles. Enthusiasts like Zhang Yuanming, a 29-year-old instructor, attribute the biking culture to the presence of manufacturers, challenging terrain, and heavy traffic. Zhang hopes the tourism boom will further enhance Chongqing's biker reputation, potentially inspiring visitors to learn to ride and purchase their own bikes. Recent success, such as local brand ZXMoto winning a WorldSSP race in Portugal, has also fueled interest among young people. For local bikers, this trend presents a lucrative business opportunity, with packages for choreographed photos and videos costing upwards of 200 yuan ($30).

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I flew from Shanghai to Chongqing this morning, and the first priority is this shoot.