Dazzling lights illuminate festive atmosphere in Ningbo

As the Spring Festival holiday approaches and the festive mood intensifies, concerns also rise about potential fire and power hazards in the closely-packed houses in Qiantong ancient town in Ninghai county of Ningbo, Zhejiang province.

"I'm really grateful that State Grid technicians have helped us eliminate potential electrical safety hazards, especially during special periods such as Spring Festival," said Tong Caixia, a homestay owner at the ancient town, when employees of State Grid Ningbo Power Supply Co came to conduct safety checks at her place on Jan 8.

As evening approaches, the lights in the ancient alleys of Qiantong begin to glow, reflecting the busy silhouettes of service team members still moving among the crowds.

The dry winter season usually poses greater challenges to power safety. The service team has therefore conducted comprehensive inspections of the town's power cables, outdoor distribution boxes, indoor wiring, switches and sockets in restaurants and guesthouses, eliminating potential electrical risks and ensuring safe electricity usage, said the power supplier.

Located in the southwest of Ninghai county, Qiantong ancient town's long history could date back to the Southern Song Dynasty (AD 1233) and is a prime example of ancient Confucian Culture. It has become a well-known tourist punch-in point thanks to the film masterpiece Li fa shi (The Barber) in the mid-2000s. As one of the best preserved, the ancient town now holds more than 1,300 ancient dwellings, most of which are brick and wood beam buildings.

Impressed by the burgeoning development opportunities of her hometown, Tong Caixia, who had been working away from home for many years, returned and transformed her family's ancestral house into a homestay with local features in 2009. Offering accommodation, specialty food and group travel services all in one, her business has flourished and attracted an increasing number of tourists.

To better light the way of rural vitalization and the town's tourism industry, State Grid Ningbo Power Supply Co has come out with a slew of solutions, targeting the old town's power need for development projects. Combining both above-ground and underground wiring solutions, its approach has ensured adequate power supply while at the same time preserving the town's scenic streetscape.

"With reliable power supply and regular safety checks, we feel reassured and secured when using electricity, and our nights have become even more beautiful," a local resident of the ancient town said.