Three Gorges

The Three Gorges are three adjacent and sequential river valleys located along the middle reaches of the Yangtze River. They are situated in the hinterland of the People's Republic of China. These gorges are part of a larger region known for its dramatic scenery and deep cultural history. The sequence begins with the Qutang Gorge, followed by the Wu Gorge, and ends with the Xiling Gorge.

The area spans from Baidicheng in Chongqing to Nanjin Pass in Yichang City, Hubei Province. This region includes several counties, such as Fengjie and Wushan in Chongqing, and Badong and Zigui in Hubei.

Geological forces shaped these valleys over millions of years. Geologists believe mountain folding occurred during the Yanshanian movement about 70 million years ago. This movement involved the Wu Mountains in the west of Hubei and east of Sichuan Province. As the Earth's crust rose, the Yangtze River's erosion became more intense. This process carved the gorges through the landscape. The river flows from southwest to northeast and then turns toward the east. The terrain gradually lowers from the south toward the north.

The specific shape of each gorge depends on the local lithology, which is the study of rock types. In areas with limestone, the valleys are often very narrow. Limestone is a hard rock that resists erosion. However, water can flow through deep vertical fractures in the stone. As the water undercuts the limestone, parts of the rock fall into the river. This creates precipitous, or very steep, cliffs. In contrast, areas with sandstone and shale have wider valleys. These rocks are softer and have less resistance to the erosive power of the water.

For centuries, people have admired the natural grandeur of this region. During the Northern Wei dynasty, the writer Li Daoyuan described the overlapping mountains. He noted that the cliffs are so close that they shield the area from the sky. In these valleys, the sun may only be seen at noon. The poet Li Bai also wrote about the scenery. He described the sound of monkeys howling from the mountain peaks. The Wu Gorge is often thought to be the longest by local fishers because of these echoes.

Navigating the Three Gorges was historically difficult and dangerous. In the 1700s, much of the cargo was manually towed upstream by workers. The currents were swift, and agriculture on the slopes caused further erosion. To improve safety, various projects were started in the 1800s. These included carving towpaths and removing dangerous rocks. Even after motorized boats were introduced, manual labor continued until the 1970s. Eventually, the need for hydroelectric power led to massive changes in the region.

Plans for a large dam were discussed for many years. In 1919, Sun Yat-sen proposed the concept of damming the gorges. In 1944, an American engineer named John L. Savage investigated the site and wrote an enthusiastic report. However, the project faced many delays due to the Chinese Civil War and political debates. Finally, the National People's Congress passed a resolution for the dam in 1992. The Three Gorges Dam was built at Sandouping in Yichang. The reservoir dam was completed on May 20, 2006, and the project finished by the end of 2008.

The dam has transformed the local ecology and the way people live. The creation of the Three Gorges Reservoir caused the mass relocation of many towns and villages. The higher water level has made the river wider and deeper. This allows much larger ships and container barges to travel through the gorges. While the river is wider, the mountains still tower above the water. The scenery has changed, but the dramatic cliffs remain a major attraction for river cruises.

This transformation also impacted many historical and cultural sites. Some sites, like the Baiheliang hydrographic marks, were submerged by the rising water. These marks include 165 paragraphs of inscriptions used to forecast agricultural outcomes. To protect this history, the Baiheliang Underwater Museum was created. Other sites required special protection, such as the Shibaozhai fortress. A dam was built specifically around this structure to save it. The Zhang Fei Temple was also affected, though many of its stone inscriptions and woodcarvings were saved.