A quiet place to hide from the metropolitan bustle is a necessity for many city dwellers. The City Shop farm in Hongwei Village, Huacao Town may just quench the third of those wishing for peaceful afternoon in the county.

The farm covers an area of 43 hectares with a special area allocated for tourists who want to be a one-day farmer.

The 150 types of vegetables grown vary from mini carrots, which are as small as a little pinky finger to French beans; strawberries to lettuce, mint and bell peppers.

Freshness is a crucial factor for the ingredients in any dish. At the city Shop farm this is strictly controlled, half an hour is all that's allowed to pass from the vegetable being plucked from the soil to being put on the dining table.

The chef who has tasted all the delicacies in the city's five-star hotels is happy to make something special catering to each guest who is fed up with fatty, fast food.

The countryside is still seen as the place foe wholesome food, fresh air and a healthy lifestyle.

The farmers provide the chickens, fish and beef which should be eaten with strong rice wine.

These are meals that remind us of the era before cholesterol awareness crimped out diet.

The City Shop Inn beside the farm offers dishes that are truly local and suburban.

The eggs and poultry, local vegetables and fresh shrimps and fish are served in the little family-style inn and are typical of this quintessential Chinese village.

Visitors are welcome to make diner themselves. How about a green salad?

Wash, dress, and toss, as simple as that. Start with the freshest greens, those that are just picked, then cut the leaves.

After washing them gently and drying them completely, you can dress and sprinkle them with salt, pepper, vinegar, oil, whatever you fancy.

Just a few steps away to the south is a small river winding through the village.

The fish teeming in the river range from crucian carps and mandarin fish to goldfish and grass carp.

Find a good place by the lake and indulge yourself with a spot of fishing.

Or roll up your sleeves and catch oriental earth-fish, red swamp crayfish and spiral shells by wading knee-deep in the pond.

The angling price is 10 yuan(US $1.28) per hour and the fish you've caught is free.

They can be taken to the nearby inn kitchen to be cooked.

Address: Hongwei Village, Huacao Town
Tel: 6296-4625 ext 803