Three Gorges Dam

China doesn’t do things by halves and the Three Gorges Dam proves just that. A massive feat of engineering the dam, at over two kilometres in length, is the world’s largest hydroelectric power station in terms of capacity and energy generation. Controversial as it may be it is difficult to not be impressed by the sheer scale of it, best viewed from the purpose-built platform whilst the visitor’s centre also provides some interesting information about the project. Visiting the dam whilst on a Yangtze cruise means that your ship will have to journey through the massive ship locks that takes river traffic around the dam. There are five in total, each 280 metres long and 35 metres wide.

Popular Tours Visiting Three Gorges Dam

Majestic Yangtze

14 Days from
holiday price

2,545pp

Savour the natural grandeur of the Three Gorges on a relaxing Yangtze River Cruise – just one part of a wonderful tour that also includes China’s enthralling cities of Shanghai, Xian, Beijing, and of course the unforgettable Giant Pandas of Chengdu.

Ultimate Yangtze

11 Days from
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2,640pp

Set sail on the essential Yangtze cruise, spending 4 nights on its magnificent waters, combined with the bright lights of Shanghai and the gorgeous pandas of Chengdu

China Trailblazer

21 Days from
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3,590pp

Take a journey like no other. This is your chance to see the classical sights, and also explore a different side of this beautiful country - be it from the back of a bicycle; on a hike through serene countryside, or a walk through buzzing city streets.

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Five Facts About The Three Gorges Dam

The Three Gorges Dam cost $37 billion to build but it should only take 10 years of operation to cover that cost.

1.3 million people had to be relocated due to the dam’s huge reservoir.

The dam was conceived of decades ago – Mao Zedong was so pro the idea he wrote a poem about it called ‘Swimming’!

There is 510,000 tons of steel in the Three Gorges Dam, enough to build the Eiffel Tower sixty times over.

The dam has allowed ocean going freight ships to sail up the Yangtze to the heart of China.