Special report:   2008 Olympic Games    

    BEIJING, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Touring Beijing can be a lot of fun, especially when you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Xinhua recommends that you refresh yourself at these sites.

    Fragrant Hills Park

    Situated in Haidian district, about 28 km northwest of downtown Beijing, the park consists of beautiful hills and a forest covering 160 hectares.

    The resort's name has two origins. One is that Zhongrushi, the peak of these hills, looks like an incense burner (thus, fragrance) from a distance. The other is that in ancient times, the hills were thick with the scent of apricot blossoms in the forest.

    Dating back to the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234), the park is rich in culture and history. The main attractions include Tranquility Green Lake (or Jincui Lake), Shuangqing Villa, Fragrant Temple and Incense Burner Peak. Taking cable cars can be a convenient way to savor the scenery.     

    Ticket: 10 yuan (about 1.47 U.S dollars)

    Transport: Bus 714 runs from Fuchengmen Subway Station from 5:30 a.m.to 10 p.m.

    Phone: 6259-1155

    Badachu Park

    Badachu, or Eight Great Temples, owes its name to the eight Buddhist temples and monasteries scattered across the Cuiwei, Pingguo and Lushi hills at the foot of Beijing's Western Hills Scenic Area in Haidian district.

    This is an intriguing place to visit all year round. It remains cool in summer. Visitors can explore it by strolling from one temple to another, enjoying the beautiful scenery and marveling at the rare ancient trees, some of which have stood for six centuries.

    Ticket: 10 yuan

    Transport: Bus 389 from Yuquanlu Subway Station, from 5:30 a.m.to 10 p.m.

    Phone: 8896-4661

    http://www.badachu.com.cn (in Chinese only)     

    Jingdong Grand Canyon

    The Canyon is located in Yuzishan Village, Pinggu district, about 87 km from downtown Beijing.

    The Canyon stands out for its steep mountains and deep valleys. Streams runs through valleys before converging in five ponds. Walking on the chain bridges that link two cliffs will be a thrill for many.

    Ticket: 45 yuan

    Transport: Bus 918 at Dongzhimen Bus Station to Pinggu Bus Station, then transfer to bus 12. The former runs from 5:47 a.m. to 8 p.m. and the latter from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

    Phone: 6096-8317