Special report: 2008 Olympic Games

    BEIJING, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Outside its bustling metropolitan center, Beijing boasts a rural area with an array of natural and cultural attractions. Here are three of the best day trips to the countryside.

    Cuandixia Village

    The village in Zaitang Township, Mentougou District, 90 km west of downtown Beijing, lies on an ancient post road through the mountains. Dating from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Cuandixia has about 70 well-preserved ancient courtyard houses built from stone and wood, nestling in the terraces of the hillsides. The quiet countryside with its panoramic views make the old post stop a popular tourism resort.

    Ticket: 20 yuan (2.92 U.S. dollars)

    Transport: Take bus 929 at Pingguoyuan station at the west end of subway Line 1. The buses depart at 7:30 a.m. and 12:40 p.m. and return at 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. You will have enough time to wander around the village and make it back to the city in plenty of time if you take the early bus out and the later bus back.

    Accommodation: If you want to experience a night in a rural Chinese courtyard, you can stay in the village homes, but you may have to share a room with others, and a bed costs about 15 yuan.

    Phone: 6981-9333

    Hongluo Temple

    The Hongluo (Red Shells) Temple is so named because legend has it that two spiral shells once gave out red light here in the evening. It lies at the foot of Hongluo Mountain in north Beijing's Huairou District, about 55 km from downtown Beijing.

    Begun in 348 A.D., the temple is surrounded by hills dotted with ancient pines and cypresses. After touring the temple, you can climb the Hongluo Hill at the back and the Qinglong Hill to the east.

    Ticket: 40 yuan

    Transport: Take bus 936 from Dongzhimen bus station. From 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., buses depart about every half an hour.

    Phone: 6068-1175

    Website: www.hongluosi.com

    Fenghuangling Hill

    Fenghuangling is a natural scenic spot in Haidian district, about 33 km from downtown Beijing.

    The place is known for its thick forest and clear waters as well as strangely-shaped stones and ancient temples.

    From the gate on the east side, the hill can be climbed from a north route, a middle route and a south route.

    The north route is the most popular with tourists, as it boasts a string of grotesque stones, ancient caves and beautiful cascades.

    The middle route stands out for its "Longquan Temple". Along the path are many interesting caves that used to be health retreats in ancient times.

    The south route includes temples and other buildings devoted to Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism.

    Ticket: 25 yuan

    Transport: Take bus 346 at Yiheyuan (Summer Palace) bus station. Buses depart about every 20 minutes from 5:25 a.m. to 7:40 p.m.

    Phone: 6245-5933

    Website: www.bjfhl.com (Chinese only)