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Going to Beijing's suburb to pluck fresh fruits

(CRIENGLISH.com)
Updated: 2009-09-18 16:18

Now orchards in the city's suburbs offer a great opportunity to wander around and pick the most fresh and bizarre fruits, of course, by yourself!

As autumn arrives in Beijing with its refreshing breeze, the summer heat gradually fades away. Autumn is widely regarded as the best season in the Chinese capital, with a mild climate and, more importantly, various kinds of fresh fruits. Now orchards in the city's suburbs offer a great opportunity to wander around and pick the most fresh and bizarre fruits, of course, by yourself!

1. Beijing's Vineyard - Caiyu, Daxing District

Located at 40 degrees north latitude, Caiyu County in south Beijing's Daxing District boasts an over 1,333 hectares of vineyard, with hundreds of different kinds of grapes. Wandering around the vineyard, all the clusters of grapes on view will undoubtedly work up an appetite.

There is a huge range of grapes to sample, from the widely known "Ju Feng" domestic brand, to a great many exotic brands.

Tips: Drive along Jingjintang expressway (or Beijing-Tianjin-Tangshan Expressway) turning off at Caiyu exit. Large areas of vineyards will already be in your sight. 'Caiyu Vineyard' is one of them.

2. Bergamot pear, prune

Zhongtian Hanhai garden in north Beijing's Huairou District is full of surprises for visitors. Different from common gardens in which you can pick fruit, the layout has been carefully designed so as to provide a revitalizing atmosphere. Aside from clusters of different shaped pumpkins and cucurbits, the garden is famous for its bergamot pears and prunes. The pears are ripe from mid-August to mid-September, while the prunes are best picked at the end of September.

Tips: Admission: 20 Yuan (or 2.9 Dollars)/ person Pear picking: 20 Yuan (or 2.9 Dollars)/kilo Grape picking: 40 Yuan (or 5.8 Dollars)/kilo Prune picking: 40 Yuan (or 5.8 Dollars)/kilo Pumpkin picking: 50 Yuan (or 7.3 Dollars) for one Cucurbit picking: 10 Yuan (or 1.4 Dollars) for one

3. Organic pear

Among the numerous pear gardens in Beijing's southwest Daxing District, Laohu Garden is the most famous. Pears here boast a larger size and good taste as well as a fresh appearance. These fruits are grown using organic fertilizers in order to maintain a premium taste. Besides pears, the garden also has towel gourds, also known as loofahs and often used as in the bathroom to scrub skin, peanuts and mint for visitors to pick.

Tips: Braise chicken and flapjack are special, be sure to try them. Pick up period: from mid August to end of September

4. Raspberry

At Yongxinyuan Ecological Farmhouse in north Beijing's Shunyi District, picking raspberries is an interesting but difficult job, since the fruits grow in the low bushes so you have to squat on the ground to reach one at a time. Although the taste is not extraordinary, raspberry is rich in Vitamin E and therefore has many fans.

Tips: Price for reference: 160 Yuan (or 23 Dollars) /kilo