The viral Chongqing motorcycle trend may look like a scene straight out of a Chinese romance drama, but two Singaporean content creators are warning tourists not to let attractive social media videos influence their travel decisions without doing proper research.
Singaporean content creators Cheryl Tay and Ferina Arriyani recently shared their disappointing experience after travelling to Chongqing, China, to participate in the popular motorcycle photoshoot trend.
What was supposed to be an exciting opportunity to recreate cinematic C-drama moments turned into an uncomfortable and rushed experience, prompting the pair to advise other travellers to be more careful when choosing motorcycle photography operators.
The trend has become one of Chongqing’s most recognisable tourist attractions, with visitors paying local motorcycle operators to film dramatic videos against the city’s illuminated skyscrapers, bridges and neon-lit streets.
However, Cheryl and Ferina’s experience revealed that the reality behind some of these highly polished social media videos may not always match what customers expect.
Rushed Shoots and Unmet Expectations
According to Cheryl, the pair were approached by a woman near Hongya Cave, one of Chongqing’s popular tourist destinations, who offered them the opportunity to participate in the viral motorcycle photoshoot.
Before agreeing, Cheryl asked whether she could ride the motorcycle herself and whether they would be allowed to choose their riders.
She said they were assured that these arrangements could be accommodated, provided she had the necessary motorcycle licence.
After paying a deposit, the pair were given a meeting location for their scheduled shoot.
However, several aspects of the experience reportedly fell short of their expectations.
The first disappointment involved the rented outfits. Cheryl described the clothing selection as unimpressive, raising concerns about cleanliness and the condition of the garments.
Ferina subsequently advised other travellers to bring their own outfits rather than rely on the clothing provided by the operators.
The problems continued when they arrived for the actual photoshoot.
Despite initially being told that they would have time to select their riders, the pair felt they were not given the opportunity to make that choice.
They also described the entire process as extremely rushed, with little time to communicate their preferences or properly understand the instructions.
Cheryl explained that the staff appeared impatient, particularly when Ferina struggled to understand the instructions because she did not speak Mandarin.
Ferina also described her motorcycle rider’s behaviour as intimidating. She claimed that he roughly repositioned her hands when she was not holding on correctly.
Cheryl later clarified that Ferina did not feel physically unsafe during the ride. Rather, it was the rider’s rough manner and the way the instructions were delivered that made her uncomfortable.
The experience left both creators feeling that customer service had been sacrificed in favour of completing as many paid shoots as possible.
“They were prioritising volume over quality,” was Cheryl’s criticism of the operators’ approach.
Paying More Did Not Guarantee a Better Experience
The two creators reportedly paid 398 yuan each, approximately S$72, for their packages, which included a 10-minute motorcycle and ground-based photoshoot.
Cheryl also spent an additional 100 yuan, around S$18, to rent an outfit.
After sharing their experience, she received messages from other tourists who claimed to have paid between 199 and 298 yuan for similar activities.
However, the packages may not have included identical services, making direct price comparisons difficult.
Another disappointment involved the creative direction of the videos.
Cheryl had hoped to recreate something resembling a romantic Chinese television drama, featuring interactions and chemistry with the motorcycle rider.
Instead, she felt the final production followed the usual template of the viral trend, without the storyline or personalised moments she had envisioned.
Although she acknowledged that the video quality itself was acceptable, she felt the overall experience lacked the personal attention she had expected.
Despite the disappointment, Cheryl has not ruled out trying the activity again. She said she would simply research operators more carefully and seek recommendations from travellers who had previously enjoyed positive experiences.
Chongqing’s Motorcycle Craze Faces Growing Safety Concerns
The controversy surrounding the creators’ experience comes as Chongqing’s motorcycle tourism industry attracts increasing international attention.
The trend, sometimes described as a cinematic motorcycle photoshoot, allows tourists to ride pillion on powerful motorcycles while professional camera operators capture dramatic footage against the city’s famous nighttime skyline.
According to reports, the activity gained enormous popularity through Chinese social media platforms, particularly Douyin, before spreading internationally through TikTok and Instagram.
The attraction has become so popular that international visitors increasingly consider it a must-try activity when travelling to Chongqing.
However, the rapid expansion of the business has also raised questions about road safety, traffic management and the quality of services offered by motorcycle operators.
In October 2026, Chinese authorities moved to address concerns surrounding commercial motorcycle photoshoots along Nanbin Road.
Reports indicated that large numbers of motorcycles had gathered in the area during China’s National Day holiday period, with some operators conducting commercial filming near residential communities.
Concerns included illegal parking, traffic disruption and potentially dangerous filming practices.
Some videos circulating online showed riders performing dramatic movements, including steering with one hand while passengers posed for cameras.
Local authorities subsequently began working with relevant agencies to address reported violations, establish designated motorcycle parking areas and introduce operating standards.
These developments suggest that the popularity of the trend is creating challenges beyond the individual experiences of tourists.
Previous Tourist Injury Raises More Questions About Safety
The concerns are not entirely new.
In July 2025, a Singapore-based woman named May Chang revealed that she had suffered a fractured rib after participating in the same viral Chongqing motorcycle trend.
She said the injury occurred during a filming sequence involving a motorcycle rider hugging and lifting her around the waist.
According to her account, the movements had not been properly discussed beforehand, resulting in injuries to her seventh, eighth and ninth anterior ribs, including a fracture of the eighth rib.
She also revealed that she spent approximately 900 yuan on medical expenses and raised concerns about the absence of medical insurance coverage for the activity.
Her experience prompted her to warn other tourists to exercise caution before participating.
The incident highlights why tourists should consider more than just the appearance of the final video when booking potentially risky activities.
What Tourists Should Know Before Booking
Chongqing’s motorcycle experience remains an attractive activity for visitors looking to capture memorable travel content. However, the experiences shared by Cheryl, Ferina and other tourists demonstrate the importance of choosing operators carefully.
Travellers should research businesses before making payments, compare packages and confirm exactly what is included in the advertised price.
They should also ask about motorcycle licences, rider qualifications, safety equipment, insurance coverage and the procedures followed during filming.
Most importantly, customers should never feel pressured to perform poses or movements that make them uncomfortable.
Cheryl’s experience also highlights the importance of confirming expectations before the shoot begins. Travellers hoping for personalised videos should discuss their preferred storyline, camera angles, outfits and rider arrangements in advance.
The Chongqing motorcycle trend may continue attracting visitors with its cinematic appeal, but an unforgettable travel experience should not come at the expense of customer respect and personal safety.
For Cheryl and Ferina, the lesson was clear: a viral experience does not automatically guarantee a good one.
And for tourists planning their next trip to China’s neon-lit motorcycle capital, doing the homework before booking could make the difference between getting the perfect C-drama-inspired video and walking away with a disappointing travel story.
