Yangtze River Three Gorges

The Three Gorges Dam Project

Introduction

Dam site is 27 miles upstream from Yichang City proper, at Sandouping Town , 38km upstream from the Gezhouba Dam Lock, inside the third of the Three Gorges. It is planned to be by far the largest hydroelectric project in the world. The Project calls for the construction of a concrete dam, a hydroelectric power plant and a series of locks just below the scenic Three Gorges region. The project is designed to be built in three phases and is scheduled for completion in year 2009. Upon arrival at Sandouping, passengers will take a bus across the Three Gorges Bridge , which leads toward the top of the hill for a birds-eye view of the construction from the observation deck. Visitors will observe the five-step ship lock, the diversion canal, the dam in construction, and the power station. English speaking professional guides will be on hand to provide detailed information on the history of the dam and facts on its construction. In addition, an exhibition room displays a model of the dam, and offers passengers another opportunity to ask questions and learn about the benefits of this amazing project. One of the largest construction projects ever undertaken in the world, the Three Gorges Project will forever change the face of the Yangtze River as we know it today. Possessing comprehensive utilization benefits mainly for flood control, power generation and navigation improvement. It will be a vital important and backbone project in harnessing and developing of the Yangtze River . Measures have been taken to preserve and move the historical and cultural relics found along its banks; however many scenic spots will be adversely affected. The most dramatic section of the river, what we refer to as "the heart of the Yangtze"-the area from the Three Gorges all the way upstream to Chongqing-will eventually be drowned by the completion of the Three Gorges Dam, an integral part of the Three Gorges Project. the project has been invested total 18,00 billion RMB and about 1,13 million people have been moved out as the national immigrating people under the center government policy.

One Part: Dam

• Location: Sandouping Town in yichang, Hebei province, China
• Construction period: 17years 1993-2009
• Height of dam: altitude 185 m
• Length of main dam: 1,983 m
• Length of generator group on right bank: 584.2m
• Flood dam: 483m
• Length of generator group on left bank: 643.6m
• Quantity of concrete: 27 million QM

Two Part: Reservoir

• Capacity: 39.3 billion m
• Water level: altitude 175m
• Change of water level each year: 30 m
• Area: 1,084square kilometers
• Length: 600 kilometers
• West point: Baisha Town , Jiangjing City , Chongqing
• East point : Sanduping town in Yichang , Hubei province

Part Three Power Station

• Generator: 26
• Capacity: 18.2 million KW
• Quantity of power: 84.68 billion KW

The Three Gorges

Introduction

Yangtze River is one of the biggest river in china and longest river in the world. The three gorges is one of the most famous attractions in china, even in the world. It on the Yangtze River, from Kuimen in Fengjie County , Chongqing , to Nanjin pass in Yichang , Hubei province, consists of the Qutang gorges in the west, the Wuxia gorges in the middle and the xiling gorges in the east, extending 193 kilometers.

Since the early 1990s, the 620 kilometers of the Yangtze River has become a gold tourist route. As early as in 1982 the three gorges on the Yangtze was listed as one of china' areas famous for their natural scenery and cultural relics; and in 1991 this area was put on the top of a list of china's 40 best places for their tourist attraction.

Qutang Gorges

The Qutang gorge is the first of the three gorges on the Yangtze River . The gorges is 8 kilometer long, beginning from Kuimen in the west and ending at Daxi in the east. It is noted for its grandeur and beauty.

Kuimen, or the Kui gate, consists of two mountains facing each other on either side of the Yangtze situated to the east of county seat of Fengjie, and the two mountains can be seen on the southern gate of Fengjie. (The mountain on the northern bank is Chijia Mountain , which looks like a giant peach, and the mountain on the southern bank is Baiyan Mountain , a mountain of white rocks. both are about a thousand kilometers high forming a bottleneck on the surging waters of the turbulent Yangtze.)

The cliff walls of Kuimen towering over are 350 meters high.12 places on the cliffs are covered with carvings made from the southern song dynasty to the time of the republic, totaling some 200 square meters. One inscription saying ‘Kuimen is the most magnificent in the world, and ships sail through rapidly with east' is the calligraphic work by a modern calligrapher.

Going downstream along the Yangtze one may find gorges within gorges. On the northern bank there are coffins of ancient Ba people suspended high on cliffs on the bank at the Fengxing gorges, and the Cuokai gorge on the southern bank is related to king yu in a legend. Ancient trees and vines cover the cliffs of the gorges and make the mountains green all the years, however maples could paint some sections of the gorges red as flames when their leaves turn blood red in the fall.

8 kilometers east of Kuimen is the daxi, a stream running from south to north and joins the Yangtze here. Tombs of people of the new Stone Age have been found here in large numbers by archeologists and even today travelers may still find remnants of ancient stone tools scattered around. This area is known as the site of ‘the Daxi culture'.

Wuxia Gorges

The Wuxia gorge is named after Wushan Mountain. The beautiful gorge runs 45 kilometers from the mouth of the Daning River in Wushan County,Chongqing,to Guandukou in Badong County,Hubei province, with the Bianchengxi serving as the diving line between Chongqing and Hubei.

Along the Wuxia gorges, 12 peaks are the best attractions to tourists. There are 6 peaks on the northern bank of the part of Yangtze River from west to east: Denglong, Shengquan, Chaoyun, Shennu, Songluan, and Jixian. On the southern bank only three peaks are visible to the passengers on ships: Feifeng, Cuiping and Juhe, while the three other peak, jiangtan, Qiyun and Shangsheng are hidden behind the mountain.

Twelve Wu Peaks admired by visitors the world over this and related areas are popular tourist spots that are definitely worth a photo. Among the twelve peaks at the Wu Gorge, the Goddess Peak is the most exquisite. It is said that if you look carefully, a silhouette of a goddess can be seen at the top of Goddess Peak , hence its name. Qutang Gorge, known for its magnificence, is only 8 kilometers long with many scenic spots. These include the Meng Liang Staircase, the Ancient Plank Road , the Kui Gate, the Seven Gate Cave , the Bellows Gorges, and the Rhinoceros Watching the Moon.

Xiling Gorge

The Xiling gorge in Hubei province, which is the last of the three gorges on the Yangtze, is 75 kilometers far from the mouth of the Xiang stream to Nanjin pass.

In the past, the xiling gorge used to be a dangerous part of the Yangtze River . But after the liberation of 1949, especially since the completion of the Gezhuoba dam project, this part has became a safe and beautiful waterway.

The most famous historical sites, cultural relics and natural scenery in this area are the Huangling temple and Sanyou cave.

Fengdu--the City of Ghosts

Fengdu, which also is called ‘the city of ghosts' on the Ming hill, is far from the east of Chongqing 170 km , on the both of the bank of the Yangtze river with a history of 1,900 years. Fengdu Nicknamed " Ghost City ". It is said that firstly in Han Dynasty, there are two Taoist priests. Yin Changshen and Wang Fangping practiced rules and became the immortal here one after another. People rumored it false as "location of hell" and made Fengdu famous.

It got its reputation as the ‘ghost city' in the eastern Han dynasty. Two officials, Wang Fangping and yin Changsheng, from the imperial court got bored with the political life in the court and came to Mt, Minshan outside Fengdu city to practice Taoist teaching. Both of them later became immortals by carrying out self-cultivation. This story widely spread and Mt, Minshan became famous. When combined together, their surnames yin and Wang, sound very much like ‘king of hell' in Chinese. Hence people began to call Fengdu the ‘ghost city'.

With temples constructed on the Ming hill by the river bank and many statues of ghosts and devils molded in the temple, these terrifying statues describe the after-life where people disobey ancient Chinese morals are punished in every horrifying way. By the standard of Hollywood movies, it could be rated the high level.

Every Chinese lunar march 3, 15 th , merchants and businessmen or anybody gathered Fengdu city. There were various folk culture activities. Fengdu ghost city is welcome domestic and oversea visitor very much.

Zhangfei Temple

Zhang Fei Temple is located 55km from Wanxian and 64 km from Fengjie, Yunyang County which had been known as the place of it. Opposite to the Yunyang County , the magnificent temple with glazed tile and red walls perches on the flying phoenix hill on the southern bank of the river.

It is the most famous folk stories in china and a hero in ancient china. The shrine is at the top of the feifeng (flying phoenix) mountain, Yunyang County , Chongqing , on the southern bank of the Yangtze. The temple has a main hall on the top and layers and layers of vermilion banisters and blue tiles. There is a colored statue in the temple, which vividly depicts the legendary hero, with rolling eyes. There are also tablet inscriptions, calligraphy and paintings.

Zhang Fei Temple is only one ancient relic which would be submerged totally. It has been replaced in new location with the Yuyang County now.

Zhang Fei was a general in Shu Kingdom , one the ‘three sworn brothers' (Liu Bei and Guan Yu), in three kingdom period 1,700yaers ago. The novel ‘three kingdom romance' which has deep impression inner the Chinese people's mind spread by his two subordinates, his body buried in Llangzhou and head brought to Yunyang.

Shennong Stream

Introduction

Shennong Stream starts at Mt. Shennong Jia in Hubei Province north of the Yangtze. It comprises of Parrot Gorge and Dragon Boat Gorge each, with breathtaking scenery. Sailing through the treacherous gorges with lush pine lined shores and translucent water; visitors can see spectacular sights like ancient plank roads, ancient cave coffins, caves, a rainbow fountain and rare animals like macaques and mandarin ducks. It is also a perfect way to experience the culture of the Tujia.

Shennongxi

Shennong stream, a tributary of the Yangtze River , is in the southern part of Shennongjia natural reserve. It joins the Yangtze at Xirangkou in Hubei 's Badong County . The crystal clear steam flows from north to south through deep gorges and finally it merges with the Yangtze at the east of the mouth of wuxi gorges. The crystal clear and unpolluted water flows swiftly. A tour by sampan is just like a shooting arrow. One exciting sport played here is ‘gliding in water'. The section of the river earmarked for this game is 20 kmlong and passes along the Mainzhuxia, Yingwuxia and Longchangxia. An arrow-like sampan glides past the Mainzhu gorge and then enters the main stream of the Shennong.

Originating at Shennong jia in Hubei province, it ethers the Yangtze River at the eastern mouth of the Wuxia gorges. A section about 20 km between Yinwu gorge and Longchuan gorge is for drifting. The landscape on both banks of the river is unique and tranquil, and the water is clear. Drifting fast in speed by taking a small hand-rowing boat at a fast rate of speed, you will find a thrilling adventure.

The 60-km tributary of the Yangtze River rises in the southern part of Shennongjia natural reserve and joins the Yangtze at Xirangkou in Hubei 's Badong County . It runs out of the deep valley through the forest at a height of 3000m above sea level, and rushes southward between rocky cliffs. It covers 60km and totally 17 rivers and streams flow into it. One of the most important ports is of call for Yangtze three gorges tour.Preciousness is the most noticeable characteristic of Mainzhu gorge. Rocky cliffs rise steeply on both sides of the narrow river. Stalactites of all shapes sizes hang from the cliffs. The narrowest point of the gorges is only a bit over four meters wide. Here, the rocky walls stand so close across the river that they almost join together in the sky. This spot is called Yixiantian(a rift in the sky) where you can enjoy the life like savage palm and the snake out of the cave.

Shennongxi Drifting on Badong

Badong area is located on the southern bank of Yangtze River and far 530 kilometers from Chongqing city. "Badong" means the east of the Daba Mountain , "dong" means east in Chinese. Badong is between the Wuxia Gorge and Xiling Gorges, in front of mountains and face the rivers. So it's the important communications center. Many famous Chinese poets praised this area.Shennong stream is located the northern bank of river in Badong country. It originally comes from Shennongjia Natural Reserve. It expends 60 kilometers from north to south, zigzagging mountains, gaiter to Yangtze River at Xixiang gate of Badong.

A section about 20 kilometers between Yinwu Gorge and Longchuan Gorge is for drifting. The landscape on both banks of the river is unique and tranquil, and the water is clear. Drifting fast in speed by taking a small hand-rowing boat at a fast rate of speed, you will find it a thrilling and an exciting experience. The same points of drifting in Shennong Stream and travel the Three Gorges, Lesser Three Gorges are to enjoy the natural beautiful gallery. You would have deep impression of the originality, simple and unsophisticated, natural interest and pour for drifting in Shennong Stream.

You have two routes for your travel. Firstly, you take barge to Dongzaikou of the north county. Then you take bus for one hour and forty minutes for the 46 kilometers distance. You could take off at Yeziba, the middle of the Shennong Stream and walk 400 feet (you also could take sedan chair which called "Hua Hua Jiao") to the bank of the river. After 7.5 kilometers drifting, you go on the bank for lunch. Then you continue your left 5.8 kilometers drifting. At Xixiangkou, you could take barge instead of the wood boat for 9 kilometers and come bake the cruise. Totally it would cost 5 hours.

Secondly, you can take barge from Badong County to Xixiangkou. Then you take wood boat to upsteam. You could see the strong Badong boat trackers who bring the boat throng the mountains. It's very original and primitive scene. After 5.8 sailing, you take it downstream. Totally you would spend 3 hours for the trip.

Shibaozai

Shibaozai literally translated in English is that stone treasure fortress located in Zhong County , at the south bank of the Yangtze River , 52km away from Wanxian, it was first built in Qing dynasty in 1750, with a height of 56 meters. Shibaozai is simply a rectangular rock with sheer cliffs, standing on the riverside.

A red wooden pagoda, 12 stories high, was built against the rock wall. Visitors can climb to the mountain to by spiral staircase in the pagoda. 160m above the river, visitors can gain a panoramic view of the winding river, the village and the countryside.

After the three gorges dam is complete, the water level will come up to the foot of the tower. The scenery of Jiyin hill is the key protective spots of the three gorges project. A wall will be built to surround the protection the building from water. The visitors would change to a small boat to see it, in stead of climbing the mountain. So Shibaozai which looks like a huge ship in the river would be the more attractive spot.

The White Emperor City

Baidi City , also known as a white emperor city located at the entrance of the Qutang gorge on the north bank of the river, 8 km from Fengjie county seat, clings to grandeur hills and cliffs. It is actually is a mini city scattered with temples and gates on the top of Baidi hill.

The Baidi city was said to be built by Gongsun shu, an official turned soldier, as the site of his headquarters during the end of the western Han dynasty. The legend goes that in 25 A .D. gong Sunshu saw white vapor in the shape of a dragon rising from a nearby well, and taking this as an auspicious omen, he declared himself the ‘white emperor' and renamed the town ‘white emperor city' and the Baidi hill. Later in 36a .d. he raised a war with Liuxiu(Emperor Guangwu of the eastern Han dynasty), then a member of the han imperial family, in order to annex each other. In this turbulent period, the city was entirely survived from warfare. The grateful local people then built a temple to commemorate him. During the Ming dynasty, the statue of Gongsun Shu replaced by a new one for Liubei and later with another three for Guanyu, Zhangfei and Zhugeliang respectively.

Another story is on liubei, a three kingdom famous hero. During the three kingdoms period, liubei, the king of Shu, retreated from a disastrous war against general Luxun of Wu kingdom, and died here in distress. On his deathbed, Liu entrusted state affairs and his son, Liuchan, to Prime Minister Zhugeliang (a wise man in china's history). The front hall contains large modern statues which depict the scene in the story. To the left is the handsome, winged observing stars pavilion (Guanxing Ting) where Zhugelkiang observed the stars and made accurate weather forecasts which helped him plan his victorious battles. With upturned eaves and polished beams, the temple has 12 pillars on the ground floor and 6 on the upper floor.

Adding:

Ba people's hanging coffins in the past, people considered that the higher a dead man was buried, the more dutiful their descendants would be. This is the reason for "hanging coffins". There is also another belief that the height of the hanging coffin represents the rank of the dead person. There are 108 hanging coffins in Bawu Gorge and they sure make for an interesting visit if you are in the area.

Gezhouba Dam

As early as in 1950s, Mao Zedong began to plan a huge dam over Yangtze River . His ambition was largely triggered by the rich potential water energy in the Three Gorges area where the water level falls down sharply. He wrote in his poem "Swimming in the Yangtze River " that he foresaw the huge reservoir in this area after a huge dam was built. This plan fascinated many Chinese people and it began to be actualized in 1970 when Gezhouba Dam--the subsidiary dam-- began to be built. It was finished in the 1980s. This is a good spot to picnic.

The Lesser Three Gorges on Daling River

The lesser Three Gorges, situated on a tributary of the Yangtze, are much smaller, narrower and have some dramatic scenery to offer. Situated on a much smaller river as they are only passenger boats can make their way up the narrow gorges and winding river. On both sides impressive stone cliffs are interspersed with surrounding rural scenery and forested areas. It was selected as one of the forty top tourist attractions in China in 1991, jointly by the tourists and the China Tourism Commissioner's votes and evaluation.
As tourism is expanding and developing rapidly in China , the Lesser Three Gorges, like a shinning pearl hidden in remote mountains, has created a great attraction to the tourists both at home and abroad. Those who have been to the place seem to return to the embrace of nature. Tourists' hearty praise of the Lesser Three Gorges goes that this is the most splendid river adventure throughout China . In order to make it known to the outside world, they take photographs, write articles, compose poems and draw paintings enthusiastically one after another.

The Lesser Three Gorges refers to the three separate valleys of the Daning River , namely "Dragon-Gate Gorge", "Misty Gorge" and "Emerald Gorge". These three gorges, with an area of 160 hectares of forest, lie on the lower reaches of Daning, extending from the entrance of the Dragon-Gate Gorge in the South to Tujiaba in the North for 50 km . Here sheer cliffs and steep mountains rise on either side, creating one of natural fine arts gallery as natural scenic wonders unfold on both banks of the river. Its "subtle mountains, clear waters, pretty rocks, dangerous rapids, sharp turns, fantastic caves, and stalactites in various shapes" characterize the natural landscape in the Lesser Three Gorges. Monkeys, mandarin ducks, water birds and fish can be seen in this area. In addition to the continuous natural scenery there are a number of historical places of interest along the way, such as suspending coffin, boat coffin, remains of ancient plank walkway. The area has been made one of the key nature reserves in China and is becoming known as a tourist attraction continuing to offer its charms along the golden Yangtze Gorges Travel Line. Dragon-Gate Gorge, 3 km long, is the shortest of the three, stretching from the Dragon-Gate Bridge to the Rapids of Silver Nest. It is spectacular due to the mountains on both sides that are so high that they seem to touch the sky. In the gorge, there are the remains of the longest ancient plank walkway in China and a number of scenic sights, such as the Dragon-Gate Spring, Gate Guarded by Lion, Nine Dragons Pillar, etc. Shooting the Rapids of Silver Nest, the boats fly like arrows. The Daning then meanders through terraced hillside before entering the Misty Gorge. The boat has to pass the Panda Cave,Nameless Gorge and Pipazhou.

Misty Gorge, 10 km long, starts at the Tortoise Shoal and ends at the Double-Dragon Town . Stalactites in numerous shapes and various sculptured groups have formed on both banks of the river. A good imagination is all your need to enjoy the sights and perhaps discover a few of your own. The traditionally seen shapes resemble the Monkey Fishing in the Air, Horse-Returning to Mountain, Dragon In and Tiger Out, Dragon-returning Cave, Fairy Peach Peak, Fairy Throwing a Silk Ball, the Goddess of Mercy Seated on Lotus Platform, Piggy Worshipping the Goddess of Mercy, Suspending Coffin. All are remarkably lifelike, and many scenes are related to wonderful fairy tales or touching legends.

Emerald Gorge extends for 20 km from the Double-Dragon Town to Tujiaba. It is the longest and also gathers the beauty of the Lesser Three Gorges. On the banks, each peak seems more beautiful than the other does and the bamboo groves are luxuriantly verdant. No waterfall in not swift; no water is not green. Mandarin ducks swim in pairs in the river and monkeys leap from branch to branch. Other scenic spots include the Water Curtain Cave , Stalactitic Buddha on Cliff, the Dancing Rain from Heavenly Spring, Sheep Cliff, the Mini-Three Gorges on Madu River , Imitation Plank Paths, Steel Rope Bridge,Sky-Scraping Red Wall, Boat Coffin, Two Eagles Playing on Screen and Flying Clouds Cave .

You'll find a cordial reception both in the natural scenery and in warm local people. Welcome you, tourists of the entire world over, to one of the Forty Top Tourist Attractions of China -- the Lesser Three Gorges in Wushan.