The Three Gorges on the Yangtze  Starting
from the White Emperor City at Fengjie, Sichuan Province in the
west to the Nanjin Pass at Yichang, Hubei Province in the east.
The Three Gorges is 192km long. It is composed of Qutang, Wu and
Xiling. Qutang Gorge, known for its magnificence, is only 8km
long. Wu Gorge, 45km long, is famous for its deep valley and
quiet beauty; and the Xiling Gorge, 76km long, used to be full
of turbulent currents and whirlpools and is one of the most
dangerous shoals.Shennong Lesser Gorges, 60km long Originates from Shennongjia virgin forests and feeds into the Yangtze River between Xiling Gorge and Wu Gorge. Famous for picturesque scenes. When you travel in this gorge, you will be surprised by its special steepness, ridges and peaks, blue and clear water and thick vegetation. In addition, wild flowers, birdlife, a timber plank road built along a cliff, ancient hanging coffins and local folk music.  The
Lesser Three GorgeThree separate valleys along the Daning River, are respectively called "Longmen Gorge", "Bawu Gorge" and "Dicui Gorge". With clear water flowing fast through the gorges, with cliffs and peaks towering toward the sky. Fengdu - the Ghost City A beautiful and secret river city with a long history, also called "the Ghost City", with fantastic temples for the underworld demons and gods. It is said to be a place for punishing the devil and rewarding the good. Shibaozhai A 12-leveled tower with a history dating back 300 years stands on the mountain top facing the Yangtze River. Considered to be a shinning pearl of the Yangtze. The Three Gorges Dam  Located
in the middle of Xiling Gorge, covering a total area of 15.28 sq.km,
it is the world's largest hydropower scheme. The project is
composed of three parts: a huge dam, hydropower plant and
navigation structures.The construction of the project is considered to bring benefits to the nation in the terms of flood control, power generation, navigation, irrigation, eco-protection, water diversion from south to north, tourism, etc. |
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ABOUT THE THREE GORGES DAM PROJECT
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The massive Three Gorges Dam Project is the most important
key project in the development and harnessing of the Yangtze
River. The dam, 2309m long and 185m high, is located in
Sandouping in Hubei Province, about 27km upstream from Yichang
City. It is the largest water damming project ever built in
China. The successful storing of the Three Gorges reservoir's
water to a hight of 135 meters from the previous 78
meters on June 10, 2003 signaled the end of the second phase of
the project. The world's largest hydropower scheme is scheduled to be completed by the year 2009
when the water level is expected to reach a hight of 175
meters.
 By
then, a huge 600km-long reservoir will have emerged between the
area of Sandouping where the dam is located and the Chongqing
Municipality of the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. The
total storage capacity of the reservoir will be 39.3 billion
cubic meters. |
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Will the Following Scenic Spots Be
Affected by the Dam?
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The Three Gorges  The
193km-long Three Gorges, consisting of Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge
and Xiling Gorge, is an area famed for steep terrain and
picturesque landscape. With the rising of the river water, the
most turbulent of the Gorges will be transformed into a placid lake. As the
sheer cliffs in Qutang Gorge rise 350m above the river, much of
their grandeur remain, and as the 12 peaks of Wu Gorge rise to
800 - 1,200 meters, the famous scenic spots, the Goddess Peak
and the Kui Gate still stand elegantly, the impact of the
reservior being hardly noticeable, The rising river water
stretches upriver 650km will submerge some of the natural and
man made tourist attractions, accounting for only 13 percent of
the total attractions in the area. The project will create new
sights and the Three Gorges Reservoir, the world's largest, will
be a new scenic wonder in itself. Tourists will find
access to the Lesser Three Gorges on the tributary Daning River
easier because of the rise in water level. Only a few major
sites of historical interest will be partly or totally
submerged, and most of the cultural relics have been or are
being moved to higher places or safe new locations. The White Emperor City(Baidicheng) The White Emperor City will not be affected, because it is sitting on the top of a mountain which is 248m in hight. Fengdu-the Ghost City Zhangfei Temple Shibaozhai |
