A number of fresh fruit lovers are taking to the Internet to find companions to join them picking fresh strawberries in the city's suburbs.

In the chat room on one tourism Website (www.51tuangou.com), a member who goes by the online name "Tourist 1976" is recruiting people to visit Zhaotun in Qingpu District, the most famous strawberry production site in the city.

"Tourist 1976" said visitors can bargain with farmers over the price to pick strawberries and eat the juicy fruit at will while picking. The price usually ranges from 10 yuan (US$1.23) to 12 yuan per kilogram.

"There is a strong scent of strawberries in the field covered by plastic film and the strawberries are sweet and fresh," he said in his online posting. The message attracted many interested people, one of who offered to drive to the site for several others who asked for a ride.

On another tour Website (www.aa57u.net), Wang Yun is organizing a trip to the suburbs to ride horses for a while and then pick fresh strawberries. "It's of more fun to travel with a few companions instead of joining a touring party organized by a travel agency. I can do anything I like," said Lin Lei, 25.

Officials with the Qingpu District government said they are building a strawberry base that will cover an area of about 7 hectares. Strawberries for observation will be planted in the base and an area for travelers to pick strawberries will be opened.

"It's also a good way to help improve the income of the farmers. In the past, our strawberries were sold in the traditional wholesale and retail market," said an officer surnamed Wu of the district's agricultural committee. Now the district is learning new ways to market its strawberries, Wu said.

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