The Yangtze in the Three Gorges region
c. 1930 travel poster for the Three Gorges region
The Three Gorges (simplified Chinese: 三峡; traditional Chinese: 三峽; pinyin: Sānxiá [
listen now (help·info)]), or Yangtze Gorges region is a scenic area along the Yangtze River spanning from the Chongqing Municipality to Hubei province in the People's Republic of China with a total length of approximately 200 kilometres (120 mi). The Three Gorges occupy approximately 120 kilometres (75 mi) within this region. Although it is primarily famous for its scenery, the Three Gorges region is historically and culturally an important region in China. A representation of the westernmost gorge appears on the back of the ten yuan note.
The Three Gorges region is located along the Yangtze River between the cities of Fengjie and Yichang in Chongqing municipality and Hubei province.
The Three Gorges region attracted attention globally due to the construction of the Three Gorges Dam, which is changing the scenery of the region.
[edit] Three Gorges Dam
The Three Gorges Dam was constructed at a place called Sāndòupíng in the middle of the Xiling Gorge. The reservoir dam was completed in the summer of 2006, and the water level quickly reached the maximum level of 110m above the downstream river. The project was completed by the end of 2008, although a ship lift is still in course of construction. The dam has had a massive impact upon the region's ecology and people, involving the mass relocation of towns and villages. The higher water level has changed the scenery of the Three Gorges, so that the river is wider and the mountains appear lower. However, the mountains still tower above the river, and the gorges continue to offer spectacular views of the surrounding cliffs. The riverboat companies that operate in the Three Gorges are experiencing a boom in demand for river cruises. The increased width and depth of the river permits larger ships through the gorges, and there has been a significant increase of river traffic of all kinds, including bulk cargo and container barges.
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Notable Canyons and gorges of China
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Coordinates: 31°2′34.0″N 109°33′41.0″E / 31.04278°N 109.56139°E / 31.04278; 109.56139
listen now (help·info)]), or Yangtze Gorges region is a scenic area along the Yangtze River spanning from the Chongqing Municipality to Hubei province in the People's Republic of China with a total length of approximately 200 kilometres (120 mi). The Three Gorges occupy approximately 120 kilometres (75 mi) within this region. Although it is primarily famous for its scenery, the Three Gorges region is historically and culturally an important region in China. A representation of the westernmost gorge appears on the back of the ten yuan note.
