China’s three gorges dam, enable magnificent trip
China’s three gorges dam
China’s Three Gorges Dam is located in Sandouping Town, Yiling District, Yichang City, Hubei Province, within the Three Gorges Dam Scenic Area. Positioned on the main stream of the Yangtze River in the Xiling Gorge section, at the eastern end of the Three Gorges Reservoir, it controls a drainage area of about 1 million square kilometers.
Construction began in 1994, and the dam serves multiple purposes including flood control, power generation, navigation, and water resource utilization. It is the main structure of China’s three gorges dam Hydroelectric Power Station, a central attraction of the Three Gorges Dam Scenic Area, and one of the largest water conservancy projects in the world.
*Overlooking China’s three gorges from the Mountain Summit
*Sunset Glow over the Yangtze River Gorge.
The dam mainly consists of a water-blocking and flood-discharging main structure, power generation facilities, and navigation structures. It is a concrete gravity dam, with an axis length of 2,309.47 meters and a total length of 2,335 meters. The dam crest stands at an elevation of 185 meters, with a maximum height of 181 meters.
The normal water storage level is 175 meters, and the total reservoir capacity is 39.3 billion cubic meters, of which 22.15 billion cubic meters are designated for flood control. The total installed capacity for power generation is 22.5 million kilowatts, generating over 100 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.
The Three Gorges Dam has significantly improved navigation on the Yangtze River, increasing its annual one-way shipping capacity from 10 million to 50 million tons and reducing transportation costs by 35% to 37%. The dam also supports cruise tourism in the upstream areas of the Yangtze River’s Three Gorges, which we will explore next, including Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge, and Xiling Gorge.
The Yangtze River's Three Gorges🌄
The Three Gorges of the Yangtze River stretch from Baidi City in Fengjie County, Chongqing, to Nanjin Pass in Yichang, Hubei, covering a distance of 193 kilometers. Along the way, towering peaks and steep cliffs line the river, forming three gorges from west to east: Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge, and Xiling Gorge.
In the Fengjie County area of Chongqing, there are also smaller scenic areas like the Lesser Three Gorges on the Daning River and the even smaller Three Gorges on the Madu River. The Chongqing section of the Yangtze features other attractions like the underwater stele forest of Baiheliang, the “Ghost City” of Fengdu, the unique architecture of Shibaozhai, Zhang Fei Temple, and cultural relics like the Longgupo site associated with Wushan culture.
The “Yangtze River Three Gorges” is one of Chongqing’s top ten cultural symbols, and “The Three Gorges – Kui Gate” is depicted on the reverse side of the 10-yuan banknote.
In 2018, the southern line ship locks of the Three Gorges project underwent a 33-day maintenance shutdown, while the northern line adopted a one-way timed passage to accommodate traffic. In 2021, the Three Gorges’ dual five-level ship locks marked their 18th anniversary with a ceremonial passage of eight cargo vessels through the southern and northern lock chambers.
Geographical Location🌏
The Three Gorges are located in the heart of China, encompassing three major sections: Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge, and Xiling Gorge. They start from Baidi City in Fengjie County, Chongqing, and extend to Nanjin Pass in Yichang, Hubei, spanning 193 kilometers across Chongqing’s Fengjie and Wushan counties, as well as Badong, Zigui, and Yichang in Hubei. The name “Three Gorges” derives from these three major gorge sections.
Steep mountains flank both sides of the river, with peaks rising 1,000 to 1,500 meters above the water, and the narrowest point of the gorges is less than 100 meters wide. The formation of the Three Gorges is the result of continuous crustal uplift and the strong erosive cutting of the Yangtze River.
*China’s three gorges dam.
*The Expansive Banks of the Three Gorges.
Climate Conditions❄️
The Three Gorges region falls within a subtropical monsoon climate zone. In the 2001 period (December 2000 to November 2001), the general climate in the reservoir area was characterized by drought and warmth, with annual precipitation being relatively low and temperatures relatively high. Compared to typical years, winter precipitation was above average, while spring, summer, and autumn saw consistently low rainfall.
Temperature variations throughout the year were significant, with winters, autumns, early spring, and peak summer experiencing higher-than-average temperatures, and late spring, early summer, and late summer showing lower-than-average temperatures. The average wind speed in the area was slightly below normal, with minimal seasonal changes.
Biological Resources🐛
The reservoir area around the Three Gorges is rich in plant biodiversity, with over 4,500 species identified. This includes more than 3,500 species of medicinal plants, 610 edible plant species, 566 oil-yielding plants, over 500 ornamental plants, 250 fiber plants, more than 300 species of timber trees, and 136 species of plants used for protective forest and green manure. There are also 50 species of dye plants, 41 rubber plants, and 480 plants used for various purposes such as essential oils, tannins, fruits, and resins.
Monitoring of ancient trees in the reservoir area indicates that their overall condition remains stable. However, individual cases of deterioration have been noted, such as a Bashan pine in Badong County that was struck by lightning and affected by insect damage, and a century-old tree in Beibei District, Chongqing, suffering from environmental pollution.
Rare plants like the yew, Fujian cypress, silver fir, golden larch, yellow pine, and other protected species have been well-preserved. Notably, a rediscovery of the long-lost endangered species, Lesser Guettarda, was made in the Longmenhe forest of Xingshan County, while new habitats of wild yew clusters were found in the Wulipo Forest of Wushan County.
Main Attractions🐛
The Three Gorges span across Chongqing and Hubei provinces, offering breathtaking scenery with steep cliffs and soaring peaks, typically rising 700-800 meters above the river. At the narrowest points, the river channel is just about 100 meters wide. With the construction of the massive Three Gorges project, the area has become a world-renowned tourist destination.
The Three Gorges tourism region features many scenic spots, with the most famous being Fengdu Ghost City, Shibaozhai in Zhongxian, Zhang Fei Temple in Yunyang, Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge, Xiling Gorge, and the impressive Three Gorges Dam itself, along with the Lesser Three Gorges on the Daning River.
*China’s three gorges dam.
Qutang Gorge🚩
Qutang Gorge, located in Fengjie County, Chongqing, is the shortest of the three gorges, stretching only 8 kilometers. It is known for its majestic and rugged landscape. The entrance features towering cliffs that form a narrow gateway called Kui Gate, or Qutang Pass, which is less than 100 meters wide. Inscribed on the cliffs are the characters “Kui Gate the Mightiest Under Heaven.”
The left side is marked by Chijia Mountain, where an ancient general from the Ba Kingdom is said to have camped, with its peak resembling a giant peach. On the right is Baiyan Mountain, which glows with layers of silvery light regardless of the weather. Despite its short length, Qutang Gorge is strategically important, controlling water passage from Chongqing to Hubei with a grandeur that ancient poets described as “connecting heaven’s gate, with boats navigating through an earthly tunnel.”
Wu Gorge✨
Wu Gorge lies between Wushan County, Chongqing, and Badong County, Hubei. It begins at the mouth of the Daning River in Wushan to the west and extends to Guandu in Badong to the east, spanning 45 kilometers. This gorge, also known as the Grand Gorge, is characterized by its deep, winding valleys and breathtaking scenery.
The peaks here are steep, and the cliffs are jagged, creating an endless visual feast. Often referred to as a winding gallery, the beauty of Wu Gorge is akin to a poem brought to life, with stunning views that seamlessly blend together.
Xiling Gorge🏞️
Xiling Gorge, the longest of the Three Gorges, stretches approximately 66 kilometers from the Xiangxi River mouth to Nanjin Pass in Zigui County, Yichang, Hubei. It is known for its treacherous waters, rapids, and jagged rocks.
The gorge consists of a series of interconnected valleys and perilous shoals, including notable sections like Bingshu Baojian Gorge, Niugan Maifei Gorge, Kongling Gorge, and Dengying Gorge. Each section contains smaller rapids and hidden shoals, adding to its treacherous yet magnificent charm.
*Confluence of the Yangtze River at the Three Gorges.
*Steep Cliffs of the Yangtze River Gorge.
Tourist Season⛷️
The peak season for tourism in the Three Gorges is during the high-water period, when visitors can fully appreciate the scenic beauty along the riverbanks. During this period, ships can navigate through the gorges, while during the low-water period, some areas may be inaccessible due to shallow waters. However, since the construction of the Three Gorges Dam, water levels in the area have risen by over 100 meters, eliminating the seasonal differences in navigation.
The low-water period on the Yangtze River typically occurs from January to April, while the high-water period lasts from May to October. The main attraction of the Three Gorges is its “majestic and picturesque” landscapes, but the water quality tends to be murky during the high-water period, making it less ideal for sightseeing.
Tour Modes🪄
Tourism in the Three Gorges has its unique characteristics. Since most attractions are located along both sides of the river and the rugged mountains make road travel difficult, traveling by water is the most ideal way to experience the area. Generally, when people talk about a Three Gorges tour, unless otherwise specified, they are referring to a river cruise.
The most leisurely way to explore the Three Gorges is on a cruise ship. This allows visitors to enjoy the scenic river views, disembark at famous landmarks, avoid the hassle of changing hotels every day, and wake up to a different view each morning.
Strictly speaking, a Three Gorges tour requires a minimum of four days. To cater to the three-day tourism market, the city’s tourism bureau has introduced a new route that involves taking a bus from Chaotianmen to Wanzhou and then boarding a ship.
Tour Routes👓
- Travel downstream from Chongqing to appreciate the unique landscapes of the Three Gorges.
- Travel upstream from Shanghai, Nanjing, or Wuhan to enjoy the scenic views along the Yangtze River.
- Travel upstream from Yichang to admire the stunning sights of the Three Gorges.
The main routes for a Three Gorges tour are quite similar, either starting from Chongqing and heading downstream to Yichang, or starting from Yichang and heading upstream to Chongqing. These trips typically last between 3 to 6 days. A smaller number of travelers choose to extend their journey from Chongqing to Shanghai or Nanjing, or vice versa, which takes between 6 to 10 days and is more popular among elderly tourists.
Since traveling upstream involves going against the current, it takes 1-2 days longer than downstream travel. Although the attractions are the same, upstream travel lacks the swift, exhilarating feeling of cruising downstream past the gorges.
*Yangtze River Cruise through the Three Gorges.
*Small Waterfalls of the Three Gorges.
International Cruise Ships🚢
International cruise ships, also known as luxury cruise ships, were originally designed to meet the standards of hotels for international diplomatic visits. With the increasing number of overseas Chinese tourists returning from Southeast Asia to cruise the Yangtze, the Three Gorges international tourism industry entered a period of rapid growth starting in 2005.
Since 2007, the distinction between international and domestic tourists has become less pronounced, with mainland tourists seeking quality travel experiences now making up 60% of passengers. The city’s tourism bureau is consciously increasing the number of international cruise ships to replace domestic ships.
Due to their original design for international diplomatic purposes, international cruise ships on the Yangtze River offer higher standards in accommodation, dining, service, entertainment, and guided tours compared to domestic ships. Rooms are built to the standards of four-star hotels or above, with three types of rooms available: standard rooms, deluxe suites, and presidential suites, with standard rooms being the most popular, chosen by 80% of customers.
The dining options are diverse, featuring a blend of Chinese and Western buffets. During the journey, afternoon tea, bars, and cafés remain open. Additionally, private viewing balconies in each room, along with premium entertainment options such as Tai Chi, Chinese painting, yoga, and captain’s welcome parties, are key competitive features of these ships.
Transportation Tips
For downstream routes to Yichang, domestic ships disembark at Yichang Jiuwan Port, while international cruise ships disembark at Yichang New Century Port. Jiuwan Port is 3 km from Yichang Railway Station and 29 km from Yichang Three Gorges Airport. New Century Port is 16 km from the railway station and 38 km from the airport. If there is no direct transport from Yichang to your destination city, you may need to transfer via Wuhan.
Yichang Port is 350 km from Wuhan Railway Station and 340 km from Wuhan Tianhe Airport. For upstream routes to Chongqing Chaotianmen, Chaotianmen Port is 11 km from Chongqing North Railway Station and 26 km from Chongqing Jiangbei Airport.
Shopping Tips🛒
Visitors to the Three Gorges can explore the local markets along the route, where they will find a variety of distinctive souvenirs. In Yichang, one of the major hubs, the famous Xiling pottery is known for its ancient and elegant designs, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship. The region’s traditional Four Treasures of the Study (brush, ink, paper, and inkstone) are also comparable to the finest examples from Duan, She, Xuan, and Ma cities.
Stones from the Three Gorges, with their naturally formed patterns resembling characters or paintings, are particularly intriguing. Additionally, local specialties like Three Gorges oranges, famous liquors, and golden centipedes are popular and have long-standing reputations.
Three Gorges Cuisine🛥️
The local cuisine of the Three Gorges includes some renowned historical dishes. For instance, it is said that Cao Cao once hosted a grand feast of radishes for his troops; the story of “Zhang Fei Fish” has been passed down for millennia, and “Zhaojun Peach Blossom Fish” remains a traditional springtime delicacy to this day.