There are lots of things to see and do in Dongzhimen, but head farther afield and you'll find more sightseeing magic. Rent a set of wheels and you can wander around the surrounding region at your leisure. Add these fantastic places to your itinerary:

• Chengde is roughly 110 miles from Dongzhimen. Popular tourist spots like Bishu Shanzhuang deserve to be high on your list while you're in town.
• Your next pit stop? Fangshan, which is around 35 miles away. Peking Man at Zhoukoudian is one local hot spot you really shouldn't miss.
• Visit Beidaihe Beach to reconnect with nature. Take a picnic to enjoy or just chill out in the fresh air. From Dongzhimen, it's roughly 170 miles away.

If you don't have a driver's license issued in China, then it's likely you'll need to apply for an International Driving Permit (IDP) in your home country in order to rent a car. Also consider that if you do need an IDP, it won't be valid on its own. You'll be asked to show your current driver's license your passport and other forms of ID as well. Lastly, it's important that the credit card used to book the rental matches the name on your driver's license and passport. A few other things to note to rent a car internationally are:

• Age restrictions: You need to be 25 or older in many countries to rent a car. If you're younger, it may still be possible to rent a car but you'll have to pay a Young Driver's Surcharge. Additional restrictions may also apply to the types of vehicles you can rent.
• Driving limitations: Be sure to read the rules and regulations before you drive off the lot. Typically, you can't cross country borders, drive on ferries or off road with a rental car.