Beijing Notebook
(Cityweekend.com.cn)
Updated: 2004-10-13 16:29

Finding that Perfect Apple

As the temperature slowly drops, its time to cast away the sunhat and head out into the Beijing countryside ahead of the long and cold winter. Autumn is undoubtedly the best time of year in Beijing - clear skies, golden leaves, and a slight crispness in the air that blows away the lethargy of summer.

So grab your car keys or hail a cab, and get close to nature for a spot of fruit picking. There are lots of great places a couple of hours' drive away where you can spend the day with your family or friends picking apples, pears, and mushrooms at farmhouse prices.

A note: finding these farms is relatively easy, but driving directions are difficult to explain. Each place has a telephone number, however, and you'll probably need to use them for directions.

Miyun

Head to Miyun and the Yunmeng Shan National Forest Park, and gather ye chestnuts, haws, pears, and mushrooms. Entry costs Y36 for adults, and Y18 for kids. To drive there, take Huaifeng Lu (Highway 111), 35km north of Huairou. By bus, take the No. 936 from Dongzhimen. Tel: 6162-2481 (Chinese only)

The Miyun Qingliang Valleyhas lots of lovely apples and grapes. If you're driving, you'll find the valley 13km north of Black Dragon Pool (Heilong tan), to the northwest of Miyun Reservoir (Miyun shuiku). By bus, catch a minibus from Gulou.

Tel: 6901-5455 (Chinese only)

Badaling

Heading out along the Badaling Expressway, Yanqingand Song Shanboth have a good selection of fruits to pick, including apples and pears. Leave the Expressway at the Yanqing turnoff, and then head towards Zhangjiakou. You should see the fruit farm after 20 minutes. Tel: 6911-2634 (Chinese only)

Northeast Beijing

Chaolai Nongyi Yuanhas by far the best selection of goodies including haws, persimmon, cucumber, tomato, loofah, and balsam pear. They also boast a variety of organic fruits and vegetables. Drive along the Fifth Ring Road, take the Wangjing exit, and head north. At the first crossroads, turn west; then, drive until you see a Pricesmart and turn right. The farm is 200meters along this road. By bus take the 707 from Ladies Street (Nuren Jie). Tel: 8491-3070 (Chinese only)