135 meters: Three Gorges Rebirth

Author: Hu Yong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-02-01
Features: 135 meters — a striking number carved on the cliffs by the Yangtze River, an important milestone marking the transformation of the vast river. Its emergence represents a thrilling and groundbreaking reversal of the millennia-old Three Gorges by contemporary humanity. With the successful impoundment of 135 meters, people have gradually turned the "unfordable chasm into a navigable waterway," and the navigation and power generation of the Three Gorges Dam have brought blessings to humanity. Looking back now, from the visionary ideas of the great figures in the early 20th century about the Three Gorges to today's fulfillment of the dream, it has taken over a century of long journey. The story within is full of twists and turns, intricate and awe-inspiring. The impoundment to 135 meters is an achievement of the Three Gorges Project, and next comes the impoundment to 175 meters — an eagerly anticipated, fully realized "flat lake in towering gorges" beauty. The new scenery of the Three Gorges was a topic we had long wanted to explore, but during the preliminary work, we suddenly discovered that the mosting and moving aspect is the process of achieving this goal. This process allowed us to fully appreciate a powerful force, a magnificent momentum, and a magnificent feat of beauty. We realized that the impoundment to 135 meters of the Three Gorges Dam is undoubtedly a milestone of epoch-making significance. Thus, we planned this book project and, with great enthusiasm, worked with the authors — those lucky young people who witnessed this historic moment — to perfect it. We aimed to showcase the courage, wisdom, and resilience of humanity in challenging nature, while also allowing readers to feel and appreciate the balance achieved between humanity and nature within this grand feat, and the beauty created together through harmonious coexistence. The book elaborates on five themes: "Dynamiting and Clearing the Reservoir, Shattering the Rocks," "Diverting the River Through an Open Channel, Blocking the Yangtze," "Rescuing Cultural Relics, Racing Against Time," "Clicking the Giant, Launching the 135-Meter Impoundment," and "The Yangtze River's Transformation, A Flat Lake in Towering Gorges."