Autumn is the best season in Beijing's suburban district of Mentougou. Fruits are ready for picking, and the foliage has turned color, making for a great sight. Yanchi Township is holding a red Fuji apple picking festival, which will last till the end of October. Eight villages welcome guests to pick apples, which cost from 5-15 yuan depending on the particular variety. The famous Beijing white pear, which has flesh as soft as mashed fruit, and a strong fragrance, is available for purchase all along national road 109 in Junzhuang Village and Danli Village. Walnut is also available now. Jujube and hawthorn too are ready for picking.

At the same time, Huanglingxi, an ancient village right next to the famous Cuandixia village, has recently opened to tourism. Huanglingxi has 108 old village yards, with courtyard houses, ancient brick or stone carvings, and traditional farming tools, such as plough, stone roller and harrow.

The former residence of Ma Zhiyuan, Yuan Dynasty dramatist, has been open to tourists since late September in Luopo Village of Wangping Township. The village is famous for Beijing white pears, red Fuji apples, and a Rose Valley. It also offers fruit picking tours, and paintings made with wheat straw.

To get to Mentougou, take bus 929 branch line (zhixian) from Pingguoyuan subway station. If you drive, take Fushi Lu, pass Shuangyu traffic isle, turn right and drive according to the road signs on the 109 national road. For more information about Huanglingxi Village, call 6981-6554, 13716215997, or email huanglinxi2008@sian.com.

(China Daily October 13, 2008)