|
|
|
| Yangtze River and
the Three Gorges |
| |
 |
| |
|
Situated in the heart of China, the Yangtze River is the
longest river in China and the third longest in
the World. The River winds almost 4000 miles
through the country from west to east. The best
way to discover China's heartland is to travel
along the scenic Yangtze River, passing through
picturesque natural scenery and experiencing
ancient Chinese history. The Yangtze starts about
18,000 miles above sea level on the Gelandandong
Mountain in the Tibetan highlands. Though melting
glaciers start the Yangtze as a small trickling
stream, many tributaries cause it to gain volume
very quickly. At Chongqing, three larger rivers
meet the Yangtze, which then flows eastward
through the famous Three Gorges and fertile
Sichuan Basin. Not until Yichang, a town 27 miles
east of the Three Gorges Dam site, does the river
widen and slow down.
|
| |
 |
| |
|
Chongqing
|
| According to ancient records, Chongqing was founded as early
as the 4th century BC. The city was almost
completely destroyed during the 1930's and 40's,
but has since rebounded to become one of China's
largest cities. Departing from Chongqing, the
riverbanks of the Yangtze are crowded with
factories, but before long this gives way to a
lush terraced countryside dotted with small
villages. |
|
| Three Gorges |
| One of nature's most
extraordinary sculptures has been carved along the Yangtze River from
Fengjie in the west to Yichang in the east; the Three Gorges. The first,
Qutang Gorge, is the shortest (5 miles), the narrowest (500 feet) and
most dramatic. Below Wushan is the Witches Gorge, which is best known
for it's twelve unique peaks (six lining each side of the river), which
are often hidden in swirls of mist. The final Gorge, Xiling, is the
longest (41 miles) and the deepest. It is in fact comprised of seven
smaller gorges, whose names are based on ancient legends. At the Eastern
end of the Xiling Gorge are the three locks of the Gezhou Dam. |
|
| Three Gorges Dam Site |
| Once completed, the Three Gorges Dam will be the
largest, most expensive dam in the world.
Approximately two million people will have been
relocated to higher ground or distant cities by
the time the Three Gorges Dam is completed in the
year 2009. The Dam site will serve to contain the
water levels of the Yangtze to prevent devastating
flooding. It will also provide clean, inexpensive
power, amounting to 15% of China's total power
production. |
|
| Wuhan |
| Wuhan is built where two great rivers, the Yangtze, and
the Han, converge. These great rivers once formed
distinct boundaries between the original
tri-cities of Wuchang, Hankou, and Hanyang, but
today these three areas have become linked
together in a giant, sprawling metropolis. At a
population of 5 million, Wuhan is the largest
industrial city in central China and is also a
major water and rail transportation hub. |
|
