Students attend a guitar course at the Midi School of Music in Beijing. [Photo by Wang Jing/China Daily]

In 2009, Wu Shanshan, an art teacher in Beijing, attended the event when it was staged in Zhenjiang, describing it as "the best outdoor rock festival" she had ever experienced.

She traveled with a group of friends from the capital, not only to see pioneering musician Cui Jian, considered the godfather of China's rock music scene, but to watch Second Hand Rose, a band she never expected to warm to.

"I was never really a fan of Second Hand Rose, but they really rocked that day," Wu said."When they came onto the stage, their outlandish costumes lit up the night and their music featured errenzhuan (a type of folk singing and dancing from Northeast China)."

Wu, who has attended many music festivals, added: "The best thing about going to them is that you can watch your favorite artists and also be surprised by new acts. Basically, as a fan, you're paying for the diversity you're exposed to."