Take advantage of the great weather and go fruit picking, horse riding, or monastery exploring with City Weekend's Top 5 Outdoor Short Trips.

1. Horseback Riding with High Club
   _Sundays
   _Gallop around the grasslands in Hebei Province. YY270, includes 2 hours riding, transportation, lunch and more. Tel: 8580-5080 or check: www.highclub.cn.

2. Hiking, Fruit Picking, and Picnic with West China
   _Saturday, September 17
   _With autumn in Beijing comes harvest time...pick fruit in an orchard and hike around. Beers and a picnic of snacks included for YY120. Check: www.westchina.net.cn.

3. Hutong Tour with Cycle China
   _September 17 and 24_
   Explore a colorful hutong neighborhood with ancient architecture and cycle around the lake for a beer. Tel: 139-1188-6524 or check: www.cyclechina.com.

4. Trip to the Yungang Grottoes with CCC
   _September 24-25
   _Explore hanging caves on sheer cliffs, traipse around the Yungang Grottoes and return to Beijing on Sunday by train for YY1330. 4 star hotel and great food included! Tel: 6432-9341 or check: www.chinesecultureclub.org.

5. 2005 Great Wall Bicycle Festival
   For the hard core cyclists among you...an interesting spin on a day trip! You'll have the chance to ride on the 2008 Beijing Olympic Mountain Bike Turf...not just a leisurely ride in the countryside. Tel: 6592-0547 or check: www.greatwallbike.com.