Electricity powers tai chi hub for Chinese New Year celebration

The Chenjiagou Central Power Supply Station of State Grid Jiaozuo Power Company deployed teams to Chenjiagou, the birthplace of tai chi, to inspect power lines and equipment in and around the scenic area on Feb 10. They also visited key electricity users such as street shops, homestays, and martial arts schools.

[Photo provided by Qiao Minghui to chinadaily.com.cn]

Tai chi, widely celebrated as a bridge between Eastern and Western civilizations, was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on Dec 17, 2020. Chenjiagou, located in Jiaozuo, Henan province, hosts over 20 international tai chi events annually. During the upcoming Spring Festival, the village is set to present a vibrant cultural tourism feast under the theme Tai Chi Welcomes Chinese New Year, Huai Flavors Celebrate the Season.

[Photo provided by Qiao Minghui to chinadaily.com.cn]

"With more tourists expected during the holiday, we are busy stocking up on local specialties such as Huai herbs and tai chi costumes, which are very popular with visitors," said Chen Yannan, who works at a tai chi specialty shop along the street. She noted that power company staff regularly visit to ensure electrical safety and share tips on safe power use, giving shop owners peace of mind during the busy season.

[Photo provided by Qiao Minghui to chinadaily.com.cn]

To ensure a reliable power supply for the scenic area, martial arts schools, and homestays throughout the festival, the power company has rolled out multiple measures. It coordinated closely with the site's administrative authorities to learn the schedule of major festive events, and based on real-time power usage, rationally allocated line loads, assessed potential power risks, and developed detailed power security plans. Around-the-clock inspections were organized, with teams monitoring 11 10-kilovolt lines and over 580 distribution transformers through temperature checks. Patrols were stepped up around power lines and equipment serving crowded areas such as scenic spots, health centers, hotels, family inns, and martial arts training centers. Adhering to the "four fulfillments" principle — service, notification, reporting, and supervision — the company assisted customers in implementing corrective measures to nip electrical hazards in the bud.

"This year, two new smart charging stations have been added at Chenjiagou. They are smarter and faster than earlier models. Users can simply download the 'E-Charging' app and follow the prompts to complete the charging process," said Tian Zhichao, deputy head of the Chenjiagou Central Power Supply Station. He added that to meet the power needs of green travelers, the station has assigned specialized staff to inspect and maintain charging facilities at the site's two electric vehicle charging stations. On-site charging guides and service hotlines have been posted to support smooth equipment operation and convenient access for users.

Throughout the Spring Festival holiday, power supply personnel will be on 24-hour standby to promptly respond to customers' electricity needs — ensuring that scenic spots, shops, martial arts academies, and residents enjoy stable, uninterrupted power for a bright, festive celebration.