Alcohol, music, shows and a competition to win 100,000 yuan for downing a bottle of beer in about three seconds, these are the attractions, along with 30 tonnes of beer on free flow, at the beer carnival being held in the desert oasis city of Wusu, in northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, over the weekend.

Organizers said more than 20,000 locals and tourists had showed up so far for the three-day event, starting late Friday. Twenty stations were set up along the streets of Wusu for people to get free beer.

Wusu, which lies southwest of the desert of Dzungarian Basin, has a tradition of beer brewing.

The local brewer -- Wusu Beer Co., Ltd.-- produces around 200,000 tonnes of beer annually and ranks among China's top 15 beer brands. It is especially known in west China and central Asian nations.

The word Wusu means water in Mongolian. The city is populated by a mix of ethnicities including Kazaks, Hans, Uygurs, and Mongolians.

It is the third year the city has held such a carnival.

Organizers said this year's event would cost 3 million yuan.