The Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River has been a dream for generations and will be one of the largest construction projects ever undertaken by mankind. This great dam, the largest of its kind in the world, will provide China with tremendous power generation and flood control services. It was in 1992 that the Chinese Government finally gave the go ahead for the scheme, some seventy years after Dr. Sun Yet-Sen, pioneer of the Chinese democratic revolution, first proposed the idea.

• What's New
• New Yangtze Sightseeing
• Three Gorges Project
• Schedule of Three Gorges Project
• FAQs

Photos of Three Gorges Dam

What's New

Yangtze enter its one-year period of trial navigation

From June 16th, 2003, the Yangtze enters its one-year period of trial navigation. All cruise ships will pass through the permanent Three Gorges ship locks. The mighty Yangtze, winding through the heart land of China, presents tourists a new look with more historical and natural wonders! See new attraction list of Yangtze.

The Three Gorges Project Opens to Navigation

On June 16th, 2003, two passenger ships - Princess of China Regal Cruise and China Sunshine successfully passed through the newly completed five-level ship locks of the Three Gorges Dam. It signified the accomplishment of a major goal of the Three Gorges Project. From June 16th, 2003, the two-way five-level permanent ship locks will open for a one-year trial navigation period.

Travel China Guide's Report on June 16th, 2003

June 16th, 2003 is a historical time on Chinese river navigation history. The first navigation on the newly completed Three Gorges Dam will occur. Two passenger ships and five freight ships are planned to pass through the two-way five-level permanent ship lock on the Dam.

After its completion, the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River will provide significant flood control and power generation advances in China: Its Hydropower Station is expected to generate 84.7 billions kwh per year, or one-ninth of the country's total generated power. Completion in 2009 is expected.