The Three Gorges Project (TGP) is an amazing undertaking by the Chinese Government. It consists of several dams with the major one being the dam wall measuring 2.4km across the Yangtze at Sandouping, at the widest point between the East and West Xiling Gorge.
The reason for damming the Yangtze is for flood control (to harness masses of water falling from the Tibetan Plateau), to provide irrigation and to generate electricity.
Work began on the dam in 1993 and completion of the power stations will finish in 2009, although one is already operational, at the cost of 180 billion Yuan ($27 billion AUD). The project has involved relocating and resettling of the population, living below the final reservoir level of 175m above sea level.
When complete, the TGP will be the largest hydroelectric dam in the world. Also still to be constructed is a ship elevator, which will be 120m long to accommodate vessels up to 3000tons and allow a passage time of 30 to 45 minutes, rather than the 3 hours required to pass through the 5 step ship lock.
With 33% of China’s population located in the Yangtze valley, the hydroelectricity will be used locally, and will save the costs of expensive power transmission, as well as reduce the reliance on polluting coal fired generation.
The scope of the project is amazing and definitely worth a visit while in China.
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On a light misty morning four ‘Selective’ travellers bumbled and fumbled our way through Tai Chi, to be followed by an impressive demonstration of Traditional Tai Chi Scimitar sword display, with a very flexible custom made sword.
We left Yichang at 0600 shortly followed by our first lock encounter, soon to be followed by a further 4 upstream locks being part of the Three Gorges dam project, the largest and most ambitious in the world. Six other ships accompanied us through each lock, the enormity of the lock only taking eight minutes to reach the next level after flooding each chamber. The complete process of passing through the four locks next to the dam took three hours altogether.
Mid morning offered a display of traditional Chinese acupuncture and massage from a traditional Chinese practitioner with a flurry of ‘Selective’ travellers all wanting to be used as a pincushion.
A Chinese buffet was eagerly attacked at lunchtime to quell our hunger after a strenuous morning of photography and observation on the top deck.
The afternoon excursion to the Three Gorges project began with a funicular ride to the top of the gorge, followed by a short bus ride to the viewing platform of the dam.
Our delightful ‘Selective’ tour guide informed us of the statistical facts of this massive achievement. The project is due to be completed in 2012 after the addition of more hydro-electric power plants and a ship elevator.
In true Chinese style there were ample opportunities to support the local economy with purchases made by all. However the hardened ‘Selective’ travellers bargained hard with the locals to leave them in tears!
On returning to the comfort of the East Queen we all gathered over some local beverages to compare our shopping feats.
The highlight of the day was teaching our little tour escort how to pronounce her ‘R’s’. She was ecstatic to finally be told how to pronounce these simple words. She had studied English for many years but had many questions. On the steam filled bus enroute to the world’s largest dam project we laughed like children at the simplicity of ‘RED’ and ‘UMBRELLA’.
Diary entry by Marcia and Paul, with contributions from the rest of the Selective Tours group.