Time: January 5, Sunday

Where: The mines and the pines, Changping District, north of Beijing.

Degrees of difficulty: 3.

Pick up: 8:30 am at the Lido outside Starbucks or 9:00 am at Capital Paradise (front gate)

Return: 4:30 pm

Driving time: two hours

Walking time: 3 hours

The route: In December BJ Hikers went to the gold mines and no one remembered to collect their gold coin. Try again this time!

If you have heard of the "Iron Mountains and Silver Pagodas," you must wonder where the name came from.

The holy mountain has big granite boulders and looks beautiful. The mines are in the surrounding hills. There are nearly 10 mines in this area. This is how much things cost: Steel ore 200 yuan (US$24) a ton; iron and lead ore 300 yuan (US$36) a ton and 3,000 yuan (US$361) for the rare red marble.

This marble is transported to Shandong province to be carved into ornaments for export.

Those of you who have been to the area must remember the dancing pine trees.

The pines in this area are not big but they are like ballet dancers. The smell of the pines in the shade and the cherry blossom in the sun, with the backdrop of the rising peaks in the mist, makes a perfect picture.

Cost: 150 yuan (US$18) per adult, 100 yuan (US$12) per child under 12. This includes round trip transport, snacks and beverages, detailed map of the hike and professional guidance. Fees will be collected on the bus.

To join BJ Hikers and sign up, please mail to huilin@bjhikers.com or Call Huilin at 1370 100 3694. Reservation is essential.

(Beijing Weekend December 30, 2002)