Located upstream of the city of Yichang, the Three Gorges Dam stands proudly. The two large-scale constructions have calmed the tumultuous waters of the Yangtze River that is today looking like a placid river where enjoying a luxurious cruise. Famous as the largest hydroelectric project in the world, Three Gorges Dam was started to be constructed from December of 1994 with a total investment of CNY 95.46 billion. It is located in the middle of Xiling Gorge, one of the Three Gorges, about 38 km away from the lower Kechoupa Key Water Control Project. The construction of the dam was estimated to submerged 287.5 square km arable land and 1,131,800 residents living along the area were relocated finally.

Features of Three Gorges Dam
The project of Three Gorges Dam is made up of the construction of the main structure and the diversion construction. Being a concrete gravity dam, it has a 3035-meter-long top and a storage capacity of 39.3 billion cubic meters. The 26 generator equipped on the dam can produce 84.9 billion Kw of electricity per year and the shipping capacity has been improved from ten million tons to fifty million tons, which brings a cost reduction of 35% of the original. Not only does the completion of Three Gorges Dam in 2009 form a huge reservoir with a length of 600 km, but also it creates a breath-taking artificial landscape in the world. The project has also improved the navigable condition of the lakes among the mountain ranges and made it more convenient to access the natural and historic scenic spots scattering nearby.

Most famous attraction above it all, the Three Gorges Dam is definitely what travelers wish to stop by during a Yangtze Cruise for it is the world’s biggest dam ever constructed. Today, this is the world’s largest power station in terms of capacity and hydroelectricity production. Teasing the strength of the mighty Yangtze, the dam has helped to control the annual flooding of the river valleys that did thousands of victims every year. Having increased the river's depth from just a few meters in some areas to over 100 meters, the Three Gorges Dam is though counter-acting the laws of nature. Some threats that it may break down have been expressed in recent times. Still, the dam is today the Yangtze River’s most impressive attraction along Yangtze Cruises, a stop-by that enchants everyone coming there.