If you are in Beijing for long, it could be worth getting a bike. Biking around Beijing is a fun way to get to know the city and its suburbs.

It's now fashionable for cyclists to travel as far as 40 to 70 kilometres from downtown Beijing on an organized bike trip.

Here are some destinations around Beijing for your next bike adventure.

Miaofeng Mountain

Miaofeng Mountain, rising majestically to more than 1,300 metres, is the major peak in the northern range of the Western Hills.

Situated about 40 kilometres from downtown Beijing, its sheer cliffs, jutting crags and tortuous mountain paths make it one of the most renowned scenic spots in northern China.

It's a tough trip by bike to the mountain, which is topped by a group of 1,200-year-old temples. And it's difficult to find without directions - unless you follow the bus to the mountains.

Bus stations servicing Miaofeng Mountain are usually located at Pingguoyuan, at the end of the line one subway, about 15 kilometres west of Tian'anmen Square. From there, you can follow bus routes 336 or 326 to Hetan.

Please note that it is almost impossible to cycle to the top of the mountain along the wide cement road without pushing your bike part of the way.

It takes about one and a half hours to get to the mountain by bike.

Admission: 20 yuan (US$2.50) per person.

Tel: 6985-3974

Yanqi Lake

About 60 kilometres north of Beijing, this lake is surrounded by green mountains.

It is relatively easy biking from downtown Beijing to the lake because there are no mountains blocking your way en route. The roads to the lake are wide and flat, taking more time than energy.

You have to ride for about two hours one-way. Once there, the routes around the lake and mountains are rougher and more difficult.

While it's easy to find the lake, the best way there is along bus route 936 starting from Dongzhimen. Or you can ride along Jing-Mi (Beijing-Miyun) Road to the town of Miyun and then head towards Huairou. You will find the lake is on the left of the road.

Admission: 21 yuan (US$2.50)

Tel: 6966 1696

Ming Tombs

So far only Dingling Tomb is open to tourists. But you can have fun finding the other 12 tombs by bike.

The tombs are 40 kilometres north of the North Third Ring Road. It takes one and a half hours to get there by bike, cycling at about 30 kilometres an hour. It takes about three hours to tour all 12 tombs in the area, covering more than 30 square kilometres.

There is no charge to visit the 13 Ming Tombs except for Dingling Tomb.

It is easy to find the tombs. First go along the auxiliary road of Jingchang (Beijing-Changping) Highway. After you get to the town of Changping, ask the local people for directions to the Ming Tombs (Shi San Ling). They are about 10 kilometres from the town of Changping.

Fragrant Hills

This is another popular place for cyclists in Beijing.

Although the red leaves of autumn in the mountains have faded, there is still some fun to be had here. There is also no need to worry about the crowds who visited earlier in the season.

Fragrant Hills Park is about 35 kilometres northwest of downtown. It usually takes one hour to get there by bike.

Admission: 10 yuan (US$1.20)

Organized hike

Sunday, November 9

Where: Mentougou District, 50 kilometres west of Beijing

Driving time: 1.5 hours

Walking time: 4 hours

Pick up: 8:30 am at the Lido outside Starbucks

Return: 5:00-5:30 pm

Cost: 150 yuan (US$18)

This is one of the few hikes BJ Hikers offers in the western hills. It is to the north of the Miaofeng Mountain range. The highest point of this hike is the pass, which makes a perfect lunch spot. It is more than 800 metres above sea level. The hike starts at about 100 metres and involves a 700-metre ascent. The trail is clear and well-maintained, offering great views all the way. It takes about 4 hours to complete the walk with a lunch break and a look around the temples. It takes about two hours to reach the pass and one and a half hours to descend on the other side.

People who want to extend this hike can walk along the ridge before going down. The valley is wide and open, offering great views. The only sound is the singing and twitching of different birds, including a woodpecker.

To join BJ Hikers and sign up, please email: huilin@bjhikers.com or call Huijie at 1391 002 5516. Reservations are essential.

To find out about upcoming hikes, check www.bjhikers.com.

(Beijing Weekend November 7, 2003)