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Village of the charmed
(Beijing Weekend)
Updated: 2004-07-22 11:12
The growing popularity of so-called folk travel villages around
Beijing's suburban districts has prompted the municipal government to
establish 35 more this year.
These villages aim to offer visitors a
taste of authentic traditional customs, countryside sightseeing, animal gardens,
fruit-picking opportunities and entertainment.
The municipal government
says it will invest 10 million yuan (US$1.2 million) to improve facilities and
the environment of these villages.
Last year, the existing designated
folk villages welcomed more than 6 million tourists, bringing in a total income
of 600 million yuan (US$73 million).
The following outlines some of the
villages designated recently on the outskirts of Beijing. Each also offers
dining and accommodation.
Bailuyuan Garden (White Deer
Garden)
 Though the garden is named White Deer Garden, it in fact mainly
features hundreds of coloured deer. Covering about 13 hectares, the
garden only houses one white deer, which are extremely rare in
China.
The single rare white deer here has given the garden great
pulling power.
The garden has around 300 different species of deer
making it a must-see with animal lovers.
The largest populations are
usually found in mixed woodland areas and open land, although deer also live in
swamps and in mountains.
Visitors in the garden are allowed to feed the
animals. Leaves and some vegetables are available in the
garden.
The garden also houses eight fat black bears and dozens of
ostriches. Aside from the bear area, other animals walk freely in the garden
among visitors.
Fruit picking is another major attraction for visitors.
Vegetables, apples, peaches, pears and watermelons can be found in the
garden.
A restaurant in the garden specializes in venison. The meat comes
from home-raised deer found in the garden.
To get there: Drive
along Jing-Cheng (Beijing-Chengde) Expressway. The starting point of the
expressway is at the North Fourth Ring Road in the northeast part of
Beijing.
When getting to the North Sixth Ring Road, turn left towards
Changping and continue until the Mafang-Exit. Then drive toward Asuwei
Village. The garden is about 1,500 metres ahead.
Entry to the garden is
free. Tel: 6178-3264 (Chinese only)
Zhuanghu Folklore
Village
A short distance from the Mutianyu Section of the Great
Wall, this village offers the opportunity to pick fruit and chestnuts, and to go
fishing for rainbow trout.
Altogether 35 households with a total of 500
beds offer tourist accommodation.
Accommodation inclusive of dinner:
25-30 yuan (US$3) per person per day.
To get there: Take bus No 916 from
Dongzhimen going to Huairou, and take a minibus to your specific destination.
Private cars should take the Beijing-Shunyi Road at Sanyuan Flyover or Siyuan
Flyover, and drive northward to Bohai Town, Huairou District.
Tel:
6163-2679 (Chinese only)
Hexi Folklore Village in Gubeikou
Town
Scenic spots here include the Wohushan and Yinshan sections
of the Great Wall, and an ancient mosque. The village has a total accommodation
capacity for 1,000 visitors.
Accommodation inclusive of dinner: 35 yuan
(US$4) per person per day.
To get there: Take an air-conditioned coach
(Beijing-Chengde) from Dongzhimen to Gubeikou, or the 7 am train to Gubeikou
from Xizhimen Railway Station. By private car, take the Airport Road to Beigao
Exit and turn on to the Beijing-Miyun Road. Tel: 8105-1291
Taizi
Folklore Village
This village is two kilometres from the
Badaling Section of the Great Wall, near the Juyong Pass in the east. There are
streams to ford, ice gorges to explore, and evening campfire parties to
enjoy.
Accommodation inclusive of dinner: 60 yuan (US$7.5) per person per
day.
To get there: Take bus No 345 from Beijing to Nandajie, and then
change to No 12 bus. Private cars should take the Badaling Expressway. Tel:
8979-1384, 8979-1394 (Chinese only)
Folklore Villages at the Ming
Tombs
The Ming Tombs are the resting place of 13 Ming Dynasty
(1368-1644) emperors-the largest number of imperial tombs extant, and a
designated World Cultural Heritage.
The folklore villages here are in
Changping District northwest of Beijing.
Deling Folklore Village
Deling is 500 metres from the Deling Mausoleum near the Ming
Tombs Scenic Area and Ming Tombs Reservoir. It offers campfire parties, folk art
performances, and farmhouse dinners. There are 30 local families that provide a
total of 200 beds for guest accommodation.
Accommodation inclusive of
dinner: 70 yuan (US$8) per person per day.
To get there: Take bus No 345 or
845 from Deshengmen to Changping, then take the No 314 bus to Qikongqiao. By
car, take the Badaling Expressway.
Tel: 6076-1704
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