Every September is pear picking time in Daxing District where a pear contest is held. The farmer with the heaviest pear will be endowed as the Pear King and be awarded a prize.

　　The contest attracts pear farmers from all around China. This year's 'pear king?weighed 1.87 kilograms and was sent to Fen Kun, the captain of the Chinese women's volleyball team, as a gift from Niu Youcheng, the vice-mayor of Beijing.

　　Daxing's Panggezhuang had the monopoly in supplying high-quality pears to the Imperial Family during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties.

　　Pear trees dating back more than 100 years still produce delectable fruit today. The local government has stepped up planting to develop more pear-related products and tourism.

　　Every September, farmers open their fields to tourists. They are welcome to pick as many pears as they wish to take away for a nominal price for approximately 20 yuan per kilogram. The price might be a little higher than buying the produce at a fruit market downtown, however, you are assured of the fresh quality and also have the chance to enjoy meeting the farmers and learn about their lives.

　　Getting there: take bus 917 to Daxing, then change to a minibus to Panggezhuang.

　　Tel: 8923-5055 (Chinese only).

　　Fee: Free entry.