The Three Gorges Dam Scenic Area is located in Sandouping Town, Yiling District, Yichang City, Hubei Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction and the world's largest water conservancy hub project. The scenic area covers a total area of 15.28 square kilometers and consists of main attractions such as Tanziling, the 185 Observation Deck, and the Closure Memorial Park. The Three Gorges Dam is 2,309 meters long, 185 meters high, with a normal water storage level of 175 meters, a total reservoir capacity of 39.3 billion cubic meters, and an annual power generation capacity of more than 100 billion kilowatt-hours.
History and Culture
The Three Gorges Project was a century-old dream of the Chinese nation. In 1919, Dr. Sun Yat-sen first proposed the idea of developing the hydropower resources of the Three Gorges in "The International Development of China." On December 14, 1994, the Three Gorges Project officially began construction, and on May 20, 2006, it was fully completed. The construction of the Three Gorges Dam embodies the wisdom and hard work of several generations of Chinese people and is an important symbol of China's modernization.
The Closure Memorial Park within the scenic area displays the construction process and major historical moments of the Three Gorges Project, including physical exhibits such as the giant tetrahedrons used for river closure and construction machinery. It is an important window for understanding the history of the Three Gorges Project.
Main Attractions
Tanziling
The highest point in the Three Gorges Dam area, with an elevation of 262.48 meters, named after its shape resembling an inverted jar. This is the best location for viewing the panoramic view of the Three Gorges Dam, offering a bird's-eye view of the dam, the five-level ship locks, and the Yangtze River. The observation deck features an exhibition hall with a model of the Three Gorges Project.
185 Observation Deck
Located on the left bank of the dam, at the same elevation as the dam (185 meters), it offers a close-up view of the magnificent scenery of the calm lake formed by the high gorge upstream of the dam. The platform covers an area of 1,000 square meters and is equipped with a viewing corridor and rest area.
Closure Memorial Park
Built to commemorate the main river closure of the Three Gorges Project, it covers an area of 60,000 square meters. The park displays physical exhibits such as 25-ton concrete tetrahedrons used for river closure and large construction machinery, as well as a photographic exhibition of the closure project, recreating the spectacular scene of the 1997 main river closure.
Five-Level Ship Locks
The world's largest inland river ship locks, with a total length of 6.4 kilometers, capable of accommodating 10,000-ton-class fleets. The ship locks adopt a five-level continuous stepped design. It takes about 3-4 hours for a ship to pass through the entire system. Tourists can observe the unique scene of ships "climbing stairs."
Ship Lift
The world's largest and most technically challenging vertical ship lift, with a maximum lifting height of 113 meters. The ship chamber can carry 3,000-ton-class vessels, and the crossing time is about 40 minutes. It is known as a "ship elevator."
Three Gorges Project Museum
A specialized museum that comprehensively displays the construction process and scientific and technological achievements of the Three Gorges Project. It has a building area of 15,000 square meters, exhibiting more than 1,000 physical objects and more than 2,000 photographs. It is an important educational base for understanding the Three Gorges Project.
Tour Route：
Recommended tour route: Visitor Center → Tanziling (panoramic view) → 185 Observation Deck (eye-level view of the dam) → Closure Memorial Park → Three Gorges Project Museum. The entire tour takes about 3-4 hours. If time permits, you can take a boat to experience the five-level ship locks or the ship lift.
Tour Suggestions：
Spring and autumn are the best seasons for visiting, with pleasant weather.
It is recommended to book a guide in advance for in-depth understanding of engineering knowledge.
The scenic area is large, so it is recommended to wear comfortable walking shoes.
Pay attention to sun protection in summer and cold protection in winter.
Allow 3-4 hours for the visit; for an in-depth tour, a full day can be arranged.
Precautions：
The scenic area implements strict security checks; dangerous items are prohibited.
Drone flights are prohibited in the dam area.
Observe the scenic area regulations and do not enter restricted areas.
Keep personal belongings safe, especially in crowded places.
Protect the environment and do not litter.
Transportation：
Self-driving: Departing from downtown Yichang, drive about 40 kilometers along the Three Gorges Expressway to reach the site.
Bus: Take Bus No. 216 from downtown Yichang directly to the scenic area visitor center.
Cruise: Take a boat from Yichang Port directly to the dam scenic area, enjoying the scenery of Xiling Gorge along the way.
Opening Hours：
The scenic area is open year-round. Daily opening hours are 8:00-17:30 (peak season, April 1-October 31) and 8:30-17:00 (off-season, November 1-March 31 of the following year). Ticket sales stop one hour before each attraction within the scenic area closes.
Tickets：
Free admission. Sightseeing bus: 35 yuan/person. Cruise tickets start at 100 yuan.