GUANGZHOU: A group of people have been gathering in this southern city to scream, throw pillows at one another and otherwise work themselves into a lather.

It may sound like a scene from a riot, but the participants in Guangzhou's First Decompression Festival are just letting off a little steam.

The festival, which kicked off on April 18 and ends today, has attracted hundreds of people from Guangzhou as well as other neighboring Pearl River Delta cities to the city's Chimelong Paradise amusement park for a little fun and stress relief.

"People, especially those who live in big cities, feel like they are under heavy pressure, which makes them more vulnerable to diseases like depression, diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity. They are also at greater risk of heart attacks and even suicide," said Liu Huiru, a marketing executive for Chime-Long Paradise, which co-organized the event.

"We hope our facilities, which include a jumping machine, a roller coaster and a motorbike ride will make people scream their pressure out."

She said other activities available at the festival include physical exercise, pillow fights and "human dominos".

People in Guangzhou have different attitudes towards both the festival and stress relief.

"The festival really worked," said Tong Yaoming, who works for a local insurance firm. "The half day I spent at the amusement park during the May Day holiday left me feeling relaxed for the rest of the day."

He added that he would learn how to alleviate his stress on his own.

However, Zhang Jinxiu, a doctor at the Guangzhou Overseas Chinese Hospital, suggested that the festival is nothing but a marketing gimmick.

"It is not possible to relieve one's pressure just by going to a festival, and I don't think it is a good idea for people who are overwhelmed by pressure to take part in such thrilling exercises," he said. "Some of the attractions, such as the jumping machine and the roller coaster, are not good for people with high blood pressure or for those who are at risk of heart attack."

"Don't you think the ticket price of 170 yuan ($21.80) for each adult also puts pressure on people, especially low-income earners?" the doctor said.

He suggested that people who feel exhausted because of pressure should find more soothing ways to relax, such as listening to music, taking a walk, chatting with friends and family members or going on holiday rather than engaging in intense exercise.

He said it is common for people, including young students, who live in big cities to feel like they are under pressure. He added that people should learn to alleviate pressure and adjust their emotions in ways that are suited to their individual situations.

Other big cities in China have launched programs to help people relieve their stress. For example, university students in Shanghai have access to a smiling bar to help relax.