Through tickets for 72 Beijing-based museums, parks and other scenic spots are on sale in Beijing.

Through tickets cost 60 yuan (US$7.2) a set, almost one 20th of the usual cost of 1,300 yuan (US$156).

Travelers can visit any of the sites included in the through ticket list by showing the ticket at different scenic spots.

The Chinese Science and Technology Museum, the Prince Gong Mansion, Lu Xun Museum, the Police Museum and some suburban destinations like the Simatai Great Wall, Yanqihu Scenic Spot and even Baiyangdian in Hebei Province are included among the 72 sites.

Issued once every year, the through tickets are valid for a year from January 1 to December 31, 2003.

Temple Fair

A traditional grand event during the Chinese Spring Festival, the 20th Longtan Temple Fair will be held in Longtan Park from January 31 to February 7

Apart from traditional Chinese folk art performances like Peking Opera, mask drawing and clay figurines, the upcoming cultural event will also highlight more than 100 flower fairs as well as sports competitions like rock climbing, cycling and Chinese chess. Some sports champions are expected to join the temple fair.

The artificial rock is believed to be the largest in Asia.

Ice and snow sculptures will be placed in the park to add more interest for visitors.

Telephone for tickets: 6714-9354

Park Life

About 100 metres from Xinjiangongmen, the southwest gate of the Summer Palace, Wanliu Culture Park has now opened.

This is an ideal place to relax after a long day at the Summer Palace.

The park also features a 150-square-metre tea garden near the lake. Tea arts performance, guzheng (an ancient plucked instrument) tuition and performance and go competitions are held daily.

Location: 50 Kunminghu Lu, Haidian District.

Telephone: 6286-1962

Fair Enough!

Lasting 40 days, the temple fair in Tanzhe Temple traditionally combines religious activities with Chinese folk celebrations. This year it is scheduled to run from January 28 to February 30. The temple was a place where only emperors and their families could pray during ancient times. It is famous for its many magnolia trees, which are currently in bloom.

Take tour bus 7 from Qianmen to Tanzhesi.

Telephone: 6086-2244

Racing Course Closed

Beijing Tongshun Jockey Club, the largest one of its kind in Asia, will open again in March in the wake of the cold winter.

During the next four months, the club will complete its supplementary facilities and dining and accommodation facilities for both riders and visitors.

The principle activity is thoroughbred horse racing which generally takes place every Saturday afternoon.

About 40 kilometres east of downtown, Beijing Tongshun Jockey Club aims to develop horse racing and equestrian sport to international standards.

For more information, contact: 6518-2312 8956-0196

Great Wall Right Now

Located in Beijing's north suburb Yanqing County, Dayushu town is known for its well-preserved sections of ancient Great Wall.

About a kilometre away from the Badaling Great Wall, the village has many earth, brick and stone walls carved from the mountain. Around the village visitors can find all these different walls and some kilns left from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

Stone roads and stone tablets describing the history of the construction of the Great Wall are also found here.

To get there: Drive along Badaling Highway or take bus No 919 at Deshengmen.

Telephone: 6910-3678, 6118-2088

(Beijing Weekend January 7, 2003)