Empowering Rural Tourism: Iluminating the night-time economy through craftsmanship

As night falls, Tangchi Town in Lujiang county, Anhui province, transforms from the simplicity of day into a vibrant tapestry of light. The Huizhou-style buildings, with their iconic flying eaves and dougong brackets, are elegantly highlighted by LED strips, showcasing every exquisite curve against the night sky. Along the Maicao River, twinkling lights in the treetops sway gently, casting dreamlike reflections on the water. In the distance, garden lamps softly illuminate the footpaths of Chan-Tea Valley, creating a silver river that winds between mountains and water. With the onset of the summer holidays, visitor numbers have reached new heights, driving the cultural tourism boom.

Aerial view of Yunli An'ao guesthouse, Tangchi Town

An aerial view of the Yunli An'ao guesthouse in Tangchi Town reveals the brilliance of the township's lighting project, which is grounded in a reliable power supply. Since Lujiang County launched its ambitious agri-tourism plan, the State Grid Lujiang County Power Supply Company has been at the forefront, driving the initiative with its "Electrifying Golden Tangchi" brand. This approach has led to the creation of a "Smart + Green + Service" power-security model that energizes Tangchi's tourism upgrade. The historic hot-spring town in southern Anhui is now a vibrant canvas of culture and travel, attracting visitors from all directions.

Radiant night-time Tangchi: A landscape of light, nature, and culture

"Walking at night used to mean dark, unsafe paths," says Aunt Wang, a resident of Tangchi Old Street, gesturing towards the new antique-style lanterns. "Now, everything is beautifully lit. You can even appreciate the carvings under the eaves!" Behind this warm galaxy of lights lies the dedicated work of State Grid Lujiang County Power Supply Company. Working swiftly, crews laid 7.8 km of cable and upgraded 23 distribution boxes, achieving near-perfect power reliability (99.98%) for the riverfront and core areas.

Guided by the principle "show the mountains, reveal the water, highlight the culture", Tangchi's lighting seamlessly blends art with nature and heritage. At Jintang Lake Wetland Park, dynamic projections on the water bring to life local legends – from heroic tales of "Zhou Yu's Hometown" to romantic "Hot-Spring Stories" – merging history with modern spectacle. In Lovers’ Forest, firefly lamps and ethereal light effects create immersive, fairy-tale scenes using native vegetation. Over 30 cultural features such as ancient walls, bridges, and pavilions are subtly illuminated, allowing Tangchi's thousand-year history to whisper through the gentle night.

Precision Power: Guarding Every Glow

This stunning display relies on a robust power grid. State Grid engineers joined the lighting design process from the start. To handle sudden demand surges, four smart ring-main units were installed at busy spots, isolating any faults within 30 seconds. To preserve the town's historic character, overhead lines along the riverfront, commercial streets, and alleys were replaced with underground cables, harmonizing modern infrastructure with ancient charm.''

Power-supply staff conducting customer visits

The Tangchi Central Power Supply Station's Party branch formed a dedicated "Lighting Maintenance Service Team". During holidays, their members weave through lanes and scenic spots, ensuring the "sleepless night" shines reliably, becoming a reassuring presence for residents and visitors alike.

Green energy is central to the project as 85 percent of landscape lamps use solar-hybrid power, harnessing natural energy. Smart streetlights on main roads dim automatically when foot traffic is low, reducing energy consumption by over 40 percent. "See that downward trend on the screen? Our green lighting strategy is delivering results", says Project Manager Engineer Li proudly.

Powering Prosperity: Light Ignites the Night Economy

Since the lighting project captivated visitors, nighttime spending has soared. The Old Street's "Starlight Market" buzzes with over 20 creative stalls. Hot-spring guesthouses report full bookings, with occupancy up 35 percent year-on-year. Shops extend their hours, filling the town with vibrant energy late into the night.

To support this booming night economy, the power company established a rapid one-hour response system, deployed mobile energy-storage trucks, built a resilient "hand-in-hand" ring network, and created a dedicated "night-market service squad". This ensures every light remains a beacon for business. In just six months, nighttime visitors have more than doubled, and total tourism revenue has exceeded $700,000 USD (approx. 5 million yuan), injecting powerful vitality into the town.

As dawn breaks, the last streetlights gently fade, and Tangchi returns to its tranquil morning state. This breathtaking transformation, crafted with light, has not only defined the town's nocturnal beauty but also charted a clear path for a traditional community forging a vibrant, sustainable future.