Three Gorges Dam Project

Brief Introduction

"Three Gorges Dam Project" is the short term for the water control project on Yangtze River. It is located in the middle section of Xiling Gorge near Sandouping Town in Yichang City, Hubei Province. Being the world's largest hydropower project, this dam has created many "Firsts" such as the most efficient dam in flood control, the most difficult construction work and the largest migration project in the world.
 The dam project is composed of the dam, the hydropower stations and the navigation facility. It measures 607 feet tall and the top is 3,319 yards wide. It has taken 17 years to finish the construction of the whole project, which started in 1992 and includes three stages.
 

Yangtze Three Gorges Dam Map
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The first stage took five years from 1992 to 1997. During this period, the cofferdam construction and the excavation of a diversion channel in the first stage were finished. Meanwhile, a temporary ship lock on the left bank of the river and some preparation work was also completed. The second stage lasted six years from 1998 to 2003, when the cofferdam construction was in its second stage and was undertaken at the same time as the construction of the permanent ship lock and the navigation buildings. The power station facilities construction and the installation of machinery on the left bank were also completed. The third stage of the project began in 2003 and has been completed in 2009. During this period, the installation of all machinery, the construction of the power station and the dam on the right bank are finished. Now, a 3,861 square miles canyon-reservoir dam is presented to the world.
 The dam project was born with a huge controversy covering economic, technical, environment, migration, tourism and the protection fields. Great concerns have been paid regarding the benefits and problems that this century's big project would bring to the people and the environment. The adoption of the project construction resolution ended the heated debates among scientists. 

 Benefits from Three Gorges Project: including flood control, power generation, navigation and tourism;
 Problems Caused by Three Gorges Project: including sediment problem, environmental problem, migration problem and landscape loss
The first batch of 16 turbine generator units began to generate electricity in August, Three Gorges Dam Yangtze ships pass through the permanent ship locks A panoramic view Xiling Gorges and Three Gorges ship locks
China Sunshine successfully passed through the newly completed five-level ship locks of the Three Gorges Dam Full dress China Sunshine The gate of the fourth ship chamber opening up

The landscape along the Three Gorges is like a traditional Chinese picture, and the precious cultural relics ranging from the Paleolithic Age to the modern times add a human touch to the area. It is always a hot spot on travelers' itinerary. But as the water rising, many scenery and historical sites were or will be flooded (by the change of the water level).The relevant cultural relic department and local government are doing their best to save these valuable cultural treasures. The protection methods such as removal and reproduction are adopted. Moreover, the rising water also increases the scenic area, making some impenetrable streams and scenic sights easy to reach. In a word, the dam project has ruined much natural beauty but at the same time creates new ones. So visitors should explore more, not just to feel pity of it.

Three Gorges Dam Yangtze River Cruise

Three Gorges Dam Travel

Opened in 1997, the Dam Scenic Area is mainly composed of Tanzi Mountain, 185 Platform, Dam Viewing Point and Memorial Garden. It fully displays to visitors the culture of the water conservancy project. Climbing on the Viewing Platform, visitors will have a panoramic view of the whole dam. 185 Platform got the name from its height – 185 meters, equivalent to the height of the dam crest. Standing on the Dam Viewing Point, visitors will see the huge dam body at close range. The Memorial Garden is a large open air museum where exhibits a large number of machines that have been used in the dam construction, such as mechanical excavators and cranes. Besides, visitors can also go to Huangling Temple, the largest ancient building in the Three Gorges area.

 

How to get to the Three Gorges Dam

1. Take bus no.4, 10, 10-1, 21, 34, 100, or 101 in Yichang City and get off at Yemingzhu Station, take bus no. 8 in the dam area and get off at Liuzhashou Tourist Reception Center and take the minibus to visit the dam area.
2. Take bus no.3, 4, 9, 21 or 100 and get off at Dongshan Dadao (opposite to Pinghu Hotel), and take tour bus to get there.
3. At Sanxia Airport, take shuttle bus to Yichang Long-distance Bus Station. Walk northwards along Dongshan Avenue for 3-5 minutes to Yiling Square bus stop. Take bus no. 10 to Yemingzhu and transfer to Special Line 8 to the scenic area.
 

Entrance Fee

Free, but visitors need to pay CNY 35 for the sightseeing bus in the scenic area.

 Read more:
Yangtze River Dam – 5 Secrets You don’t Know

Three Gorges Dam Facts: 8 Things You Need to Know

Three Gorges Dam Cost: How much did it cost to build such a huge project?

How does the Three Gorges Dam work in Yangtze River flood control?

Three Gorges Reservoir

 Nearby Attraction:
 Three Gorges Tribe
 Qu Yuan's Hometown

- Last updated on Apr. 15, 2021 -
Questions & Answers on Three Gorges Dam
Asked by RUAA from GERMANY | Jan. 19, 2019 01:01Reply
is there any cruise from wuhan to the three gorges dam ?
Answers (1)
Answered by Marie from NETHERLANDS | Jan. 20, 2019 18:57
00Reply


As I know, there are only Yichang - Chongqing or Chonqing - Yichang cruises.
Asked by Mike from CHINA | Nov. 17, 2018 19:58Reply
How long does it take in total from the Yichang airport to the Three Gorges Dam Project?
And are the buses frequent?
Thanks
Answers (1)
Answered by Sia from CANADA | Nov. 18, 2018 18:20
00Reply


You need to take a shuttle bus from the airport to Yichang Bus Station and then take bus line 809-2 to the scenic area. It takes about 2 hours in total and yes, the buses are frequent.
Asked by Jason from USA | Jul. 22, 2018 01:25Reply
Do you need to get tickets of Three Gorges Dam Project in advance?
Traveling from Zhangjiajie to the damn what’s the best way
Answers (1)
Answered by Lara from USA | Jul. 22, 2018 19:23
00Reply


Yes, you need to book tickets in advance because of the limited tourists into the scenic area. You can take the train from Zhangjiajie to Three Gorges Dam, which is the most convenient way.
Asked by Daisy from AUSTRALIA | Jun. 16, 2018 19:34Reply
How long does it take to get from Yichang city to the Dam by the bus routes suggested above?
Answers (1)
Answered by Yale from UNITED KINGDOM | Jun. 18, 2018 22:11
10Reply


It may take about 40 minutes to get there.
Asked by Silvia Ittensohn from SWITZERLAND | Apr. 09, 2018 19:59Reply
Huangpu night cruise: tickets
Can you tell the address where to buy the night cruise tickets?
Answers (1)
Answered by Lisa from USA | Apr. 10, 2018 20:34
10Reply


Yes, you can purchase the tickets in the following places:
no.479, East Zhongshan 1st Road
no.341, East Zhongshan 1st Road
no.129, East Zhongshan 2nd Road
no.141, East Zhongshan 2nd Road
no.153, East Zhongshan 2nd Road
no.127-153, East Zhongshan 2nd Road
no.241, East Zhongshan 2nd Road
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