Three Gorges Dam Site
The three gorges dam is currently being built that will displace over a million people, raise the water level upstream, and decrease the dramatic effect of the gorges by over 100 meters at the site, and less elsewhere. The dam will help control floods, provide irrigation and 84 million kwhs of hydroelectric power, and enable ocean-going ships to reach Chongqing. You should be able to see the furious construction activities in Sandouping, day or night, unless you sleep through it. It is lit at night but not well enough for photos or satisfy people who want a good look. Let's hope you get there during the day. We recommend a day visit because of the visibility. Enjoy the comforts of your hotel or home at night where you can watch a movie, play a game at an online casino or go out to one of the fantastic restaurants in the area.
Some but not all cruise ships stop for a visit at the site. Buses take them to the highest point, a look-out tower called Jar Hill and nearby exhibition room with a scale model. Plans for the largest civil engineering project in the world call for submerging 632 sq km of land, and creating a lake at Chongqing. The project includes new bridges, more flights, airports, easier navigation and better hotels.
While construction of the dam has now started, cruise ship movements will not be affected except for one month in 2003. After this, the water will start rising, and larger ships will use the five-stage locks(three hours) and smaller vessals like cruise ships will use the lift(45 minutes).
