Three Gorges Dam, Hydroelectric power station in Sandouping, China
The Three Gorges Dam is a hydroelectric power station and gravity dam spanning the Yangtze River for more than two kilometers, using dozens of turbines to generate electricity for much of China. The structure rests on a concrete foundation that holds back the river and forms a large reservoir, while the visible facilities include control rooms, locks, and a platform for vessels to pass through.
Planning for the dam began in the mid-20th century, but construction on the river only started in 1994. The facility reached full operation in 2003, fundamentally changing how the Yangtze has been used since then.
Visitors often watch cargo barges and river vessels passing through the lock, while local guides explain the role the structure plays in power supply and transport. The site includes observation platforms where tourists experience the interplay between engineering and the river, and many groups from across the country come to see the technical achievement firsthand.
The reservoir stretches for several hundred kilometers upstream, allowing large cargo vessels to travel far into the interior. The facility also regulates water levels and reduces flooding risks for communities downstream.
The ship lift raises vessels in a giant water chamber by more than a hundred meters, making passage through the structure much faster than through traditional locks. This technical solution is considered one of the largest of its kind in the world and attracts engineers and specialists from many countries.
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