For several days before the May Day (Labor Day) weekend, local television featured a lot of scenic sites in the rural suburbs of Beijing.

There were enticing scenes of flowers in full bloom, strawberries ripening on the vine, green hills, and crystal-clear lakes and streams. Country folk were seen tidying up their houses and preparing an array of local dishes for urban tourists to enjoy.

Several of my colleagues were among the many who succumbed to the lure of an outing in the country over the long weekend. Unfortunately, some of them came back regretting that they'd made the trip.