"Three Gorges Dam Project" is the short term for the water control project at the three gorges on Yangtze River. (photo from nipic.com)

"Three Gorges Dam Project" is the short term for the water control project at the three gorges on Yangtze River.

One cannot talk about Three Gorges Dam without mentioning the Yangtze Gorges. The Yangtze Gorges lay in the upper reaches of Yangtze River and form a common boundary for Hubei province, Sichuan province and Chongqing city. It arches across Fengjie county and Wushan Mountain of Chongqing city, five counties of Hubei province and Yichang city. It begins in the west from Baidi city in Fengjie county and ends at Nanjin pass in Yichang city, Hubei province, a distance of 192 kilometers. Yangtze River plunges through Wushan Mountain, Huangling Temple and Bamianshan mountainous region which result from Yanshan Movement. Therefore, such three huge gorges as Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge and Xiling Gorge and Daning River Dale and Xian gxi Dale came into being. "Three Gorges" are deemed as their general name.

The Three Gorges is an area of huge cliffs and high mountains with the Yangtze winding its way though on it progress toward the sea many kilometers away. The gorges are usually 250 meters to 350 meters wide with the narrowest point being about 100 meters wide. The high mountains and deep gorges, form an area of about 1 million square meters’ water from the upper reaches of Yangtze River, producing rapid torrents and annual average runoff of more than 450 billion cubic meters. Being one of the largest gorges in the world, the Three Gorges provides an abundant water resources for China.

The Three Gorges is an area of huge cliffs and high mountains with the Yangtze winding its way though. (photo from nipic.com)

The Three Gorges Tourist Area was officially opened to the public in 1997, covering an area of 15.28 square meters. It contains five parks. They are Three Gorges Exhibition Hall, Tanziling Park, 185 Park, Jinba Park and Interception Memorial Park. Based on the world’s largest hydro junction project, the tourist area reveals the culture of the project and water conservancy in an all-round way. It provides a combination of multi-functional service of sight-seeing, science and education, entertainment, refreshment, perfectly combining modern project with natural scenery and human landscape. Therefore, it is a traveling paradise that tourists from home and abroad long to go.

Tanziling Park is the earliest developed tourist area and started to receive tourists from all over the world since 1997. Since its shape resembles a crock, its name Tanziling (Crock Mountain) came into being. Located at the investigation point of the Dam, the tourist area is 262.48 meters above sea level and the perfect place to appreciate the panoramic view of Three Gorges Project. Standing there, you could not only admire the magnificence of the Three Gorges Dam but also can vow for the "The Fourth Gorge of Yangtze River"—Two Way Five-Lift Lock which stands like a cliff. The whole park is divided into three layers from the top to the bottom according to its height. It mainly composed of mould exhibition, sub fluvial stone of Wannian River, interception stone of the Big River, cornerstone of the Three Gorges Dam, silver version sealed book and Tanziling gazebo. At the same time, they are interspersed by magnificent fountains, wandering brooks and emerald green lawn. Looking from afar, the hustle and bustle is accompanied by serenity and vice versa, as if roaming in Alice’s fairytale land.

Located at the investigation point of the Dam, Tanziling Park is the perfect place to appreciate the panoramic view of Three Gorges Project. (photo from nipic.com)

Standing at the top of the Dam which is 185 meters above sea level, the tourists can marvel at the flood discharge downwards in a close distance. Feeling the tremendous force growling under the feet is more direct and magnificent. In the meantime, contrasted with the near overwhelming backwash, the river surface far away is quiet and peaceful. All of a sudden, the tourists may feel the gorgeous blend of vitality and serenity. If it is good weather, a colorful rainbow will appear in the water fog above the flood. Gentle wind present by the river soothes the soul and the lullaby murmured by the backwash calm the heart. All the feelings, exited or surprised, proud or exhilarated are all mingle with the span of water. Maybe only after you roaming in the hug of the Dam can one genuinely feel the line "Should the goddess be not ill today, she will marvel at the world’s new array".

The sightseeing position locates in the front of the left bank electricity generating set factory of the Dam. It is the perfect place to admire the Dam and water discharge. Stand on the sightseeing platform and look upwards, tourists can see a magnificent-than-ever 185 meters high Dam. The spray under the factory and the systematic transmission line show that powerful electric current are being transferred to all around China relentlessly. Due to the change of appreciation angle, the imposing water discharge can render the tourists excited with heart afire. They can experience the great power of the nature. However, with unchallenged wisdom, human beings can finally conquer the nature.

Stand on the sightseeing platform and look upwards, tourists can see a magnificent-than-ever 185 meters high Dam.

Drifting along the river