In China, International Workers' Day – widely known as May Day – has been a public holiday since 1949, and nowadays people enjoy a three-day paid break around May 1.

This year, the May Day holiday spans April 29 to May 1. During the three days, all highways are toll-free, making it perfect for a short road trip away from the chaotic city life.

If you live in Beijing, we suggest you check out the following places, stunning spots where only experienced locals and very few foreign hitchhikers go. 

In addition, to prepare you for the trip, we will help you pack and get ready – from how to get a Chinese driver's license to what clothes you should bring – before you hit the road.

Walking under the gray-tiled roofs of traditional Beijing courtyards and strolling along the narrow, paved lanes decorated with red lanterns, you may feel as if time long ago stopped in Cuandixia village. 

The small mountain community, built during the Ming and Qing dynasties, dates back over 400 years.

Hidden quietly in the deep valleys in Mentougou District of western Beijing, Cuandixia village is known as "the cultural pearl of ancient villages". 

Ancient architecture and a tranquil natural environment make it an ideal place for a short escape from the urban bustle.

Address: Cuanbai Scenic Area, Zhaitang Town, Mentougou District, Beijing 102309

Driving time: approximately three hours

Accommodation: inns and lodges in the village

Tips: wear comfortable shoes to walk on the stoned streets and steep stairs; also bring a warm coat for the nighttime mountain breeze.

Located in China's northern Chengde city in Hebei Province, Mulan Paddock is regarded as Beijing's back garden. The tranquil meadows and charming scenery, together with flitting flocks of birds, endowed it as a famous hunting locale for imperial families. Nowadays, it's a paradise for shutterbugs.

You cannot leave Mulan Paddock without horse riding, river rafting, or best of all, staying in a Mongolian yurt—the whole Chinese cowboy package. 

Address: Weichang Manchu Autonomous County, Chengde, Hebei Province, 068450

Driving time: approximately six hours

Accommodation: hotels and hostels in nearby villages; Mongolian yurts; camping

Tips: bring sunscreen to avoid sunburn; and don't forget a warm coat – mornings and evenings can be chilly.

Who told you the Great Wall only perches on sweeping mountainsides and barren plains? We suggest you visit the "water great wall" at Huanghuacheng, where water surrounds and covers lengths of the grand structure.

Huanghuacheng Lakeside Great Wall Reserve is located in Jiuduhe town in Huairou district. Sections of the wall disappear into clear water then stretch back up the steep mountain, sparking magical thoughts of an underwater world. 

Address: Huanghuacheng Village, Jiuduhe Town, Huairou District, Beijing 101404

Driving time: approximately two hours

Accommodation: hot spring resort, hotels, farmhouses

Tips: wear water-proof, slip-proof shoes and bring a warm coat if you stay overnight in mountain areas.

If you already have a valid overseas driver's license and have stayed in China for less than three months, you can obtain a temporary permit without taking any additional tests.

For those who hold a valid overseas license but plan to stay longer than three months, you must take valid documents to the automobile management bureau, fill out the automobile driving license application form, take a physical examination and attend a traffic regulation test before getting a Chinese driver's license. 

If you do not have any driving license, you have to attend road tests and an additional traffic regulation test on top of all requirements above.