BEIJING, April 26 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism has called for enhanced safety precautions during the May Day holiday, which is expected to see a tourism boom.

Travelers who plan long-distance driving should check car conditions, licenses and insurance to ensure safe driving, said the ministry in a brief reminder published on its website Friday.

Drowsy driving should be avoided, and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is strictly prohibited, according to the ministry.

The ministry warned travelers against possible extreme weather in some southern parts of China, saying trips to mountainous areas, valleys and areas next to water should be avoided in the case of bad weather.

Travelers should take extra cautions when participating in high-risk entertainment activities, said the ministry, advising travelers to choose entertainment activities based on their age and health conditions.

China's State Council announced on March 22 that this year's May Day holiday would be stretched to four consecutive days from May 1 to 4.

The extension has boosted the tourism sector. An estimated 160 million trips will be made during the period, according to Ctrip, China's biggest online travel agency.

Many travelers have adjusted previous plans and opted for short to mid-distance domestic trips, Feng Rao, an industry analyst, was cited by the Workers' Daily as saying.

A railway network upgrading earlier this month will also make domestic trips more convenient, according to Feng.

About 147 million trips were made during the three-day May Day holiday last year.