Sodagreen performing during their Shanghai concert on October 24, 2009. [Global Times]

With the annual May Day Holiday from May 1-3 fast approaching, three music festivals are gearing up for an onslaught of festival goers in various parts of China. With different focuses and features the festivals are a great option if you're wanting to let loose and escape everyday life for a while.

Chengdu: Zebra Music Festival, rock vs pop

The 2009 Zebra Music Festival (ZMF) broke local outdoor music festival attendance records in China by attracting more than 150,000 people during the holiday. This year the event will once again hit Chengdu Poly 198 Park, with a diverse lineup sure to make history once again.

Confirmed performers at this year's ZMF include Chang Chen Yueh, Sodagreen, Does It Offend You, Yeah? (UK), Miserable Faith, Pet Conspiracy, Zhang Jie and Tan Weiwei, bringing together some of the best rockers and pop stars from the Chinese mainland and Taiwan.

Featuring musicians of various music styles is a ZMF tradition. At the 2009 ZMF, fans of S.H.E, a Taiwanese pop girl band, faced off against New Pants, a local rock band, in a battle between pop and rock. However, according to reality-show-winner-turned-pop-star Zhang Jie, who is a Chengdu native himself and will be performing at this year's ZMF, music can be different, but it does not have to be hierarchical.

"Pop has a place in the music world just as much as rock music," Zhang said. "Whether it is pop or rock, all that matters when you get on the stage is that you love and enjoy music." He added that fans usually understand and appreciate the diversity of performances.

Two highlights of this year's lineup showcase ZMF's signature of combining rock and pop, with performances from Chang Chen Yueh and Sodagreen, both from Taiwan and both known for mixing the two music genres together.

The 2010 ZMF has opened a 24-hour hotline to help holidaymakers plan their trip and have a stress-free vacation. By calling 028-12580, you can get festival tickets, book accommodation, organize transportation routes and get information about Poly 198 Park, as well as other sightseeing opportunities around Chengdu.

Hebei: Yixian County Camping Music Festival

Set in scenic Yixian county in Hebei Province, the Hebei Yixian County Camping Music Festival is shaping up to be much like last year's Zhangbei Music Festival that emphasized promoting tourism in the form of a rock music festival, only with a nicer environment and far better lineup.

The inaugural event is aimed at highlighting top-quality rock music and the great outdoors. The festival site will be divided into areas for performing, dining, camp-ing, games and campfire parties, to cater to the various needs of festivalgoers. The camping area will also have water and electricity supplies, security guards and temporary supermarkets.

Different from other music festivals that combine genres, Hebei Yixian County Camping Music Festival is purely rock and its lineup includes some of China's best rock performers and rock bands; Xie Tianxiao, Tang Dynasty, Shouren, Guowei VC, Zhixi and Second Hand Rose. According to organizers, several top international rock bands have also been invited to perform at the festival, with Funeral For A Friend (UK) and Djizoes (Switzerland) confirmed.

With abundant tourism resources nearby such as Jiufeng Mountain, Wolong Mountain, Yishui Lake and North China's largest pine forest, organizers also hope to promote Yixian county's attractions during the May Day Holiday with the help of the music festival. Tourism enquiry stations will be installed at the site to provide easy access to tourism information and accommodation bookings.