Three Gorges Dam Project
Three Gorges Dam Project
4
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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4.0
588 reviews
Excellent
271
Very good
194
Average
95
Poor
15
Terrible
13
travelingdr2019
6 contributions
Oct 2019
If you want to experience the largest project in recent years - this is the one to visit. It would take you at least half day. But, it will leave you a great experience. The scale is very impressive. The project is impressive. Make sure you take the tour to see how does a boat is brought up from lower level to higher level of the river.
Written 8 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
don d
Kunshan, China7 contributions
July 2013 • Solo
Ok. I'm going to actually put up solid directions on how to get there, as I am fresh from my very own trip.
1. Flight or take train into Yichang (YIG). From Shanghai there are only 2 flights + trains a day so the ticket prices are a bit expensive. From the airport, you MUST take a taxi to downtown Yichang, which is about 30min away. There was no bus to take, and as SOON as you exit the airport there will be taxi drivers stalking you so please be aware. I took an illegal taxi and I paid 70rmb to get to my hotel. I paid 70 because I read somewere that it is usually about 60rmb by taxi to downtown.
2. Hotel. I stayed at the Orangeinns Tophams Hotel. Very good and affordable hotel. It is 5min walking distance from a mall, bars, and other stores you may shop around. Some of the receptionist speak English and may help you on your journey. I strongly recommend this hotel! You can make a reservation for it on Ctrip.com. Make sure the taxi takes you to the correct one, as there are 2 or more in the city. Also, taxi's are very cheap in Yichang and start at 6rmb.
3. To Three Gorges - I strongly suggest you do as I did, that is, take a taxi to Liuzhashou Tourist Reception Center (六闸首游客接待中心). There is a Wal-Mart across from here. If you get lost, just ask a taxi drivrer to take you to Wal-Mart and the station is directly across.
Here, there are agencies that let you take the Yangtze River cruise and it cost 288rmb, but you have to leave at designated times. I did not take it, but after visiting the damn and seeing the beauty around it, I semi-regret not taking the cruise. Or they say you can take their bus, which cost 150rmb. ABSOLUTELY DO NOT take the 150rmb bus, as you can go and take the 30rmb round-trip bus the station provides. Make sure you keep your bus ticket, as you will need it to take the return trip and not pay extra money.
From there it takes about 1hr to reach the dam. Before you get off the bus to enter the dam, make sure you know what time the last bus heads back and where it will pick you up, which will probably be at 17:00, and at the very END of the dam tourist area.
At the Dam - The entrance fee is 105rmb. Be prepared to do alot of walking and it will be extrememly hot. It is very pleasant to see in person. The detail and grand scale of concrete is amazing. There are about 3 parts. First you see the 360 viewing point at the very top, then you walk down a small road to get closer to view the back of the dam. Then, from there you take a Dam bus that takes you across a bridge to see the front of the dam, and from there, the end, you take buses to go back to the Liuzhashou Tourist Reception Center. Be careful not to miss the last bus!
If you find anyone Chinese that are touring the dam and speak English, my suggestion is to stick with them and tour together, as I did!
Safe travels.
1. Flight or take train into Yichang (YIG). From Shanghai there are only 2 flights + trains a day so the ticket prices are a bit expensive. From the airport, you MUST take a taxi to downtown Yichang, which is about 30min away. There was no bus to take, and as SOON as you exit the airport there will be taxi drivers stalking you so please be aware. I took an illegal taxi and I paid 70rmb to get to my hotel. I paid 70 because I read somewere that it is usually about 60rmb by taxi to downtown.
2. Hotel. I stayed at the Orangeinns Tophams Hotel. Very good and affordable hotel. It is 5min walking distance from a mall, bars, and other stores you may shop around. Some of the receptionist speak English and may help you on your journey. I strongly recommend this hotel! You can make a reservation for it on Ctrip.com. Make sure the taxi takes you to the correct one, as there are 2 or more in the city. Also, taxi's are very cheap in Yichang and start at 6rmb.
3. To Three Gorges - I strongly suggest you do as I did, that is, take a taxi to Liuzhashou Tourist Reception Center (六闸首游客接待中心). There is a Wal-Mart across from here. If you get lost, just ask a taxi drivrer to take you to Wal-Mart and the station is directly across.
Here, there are agencies that let you take the Yangtze River cruise and it cost 288rmb, but you have to leave at designated times. I did not take it, but after visiting the damn and seeing the beauty around it, I semi-regret not taking the cruise. Or they say you can take their bus, which cost 150rmb. ABSOLUTELY DO NOT take the 150rmb bus, as you can go and take the 30rmb round-trip bus the station provides. Make sure you keep your bus ticket, as you will need it to take the return trip and not pay extra money.
From there it takes about 1hr to reach the dam. Before you get off the bus to enter the dam, make sure you know what time the last bus heads back and where it will pick you up, which will probably be at 17:00, and at the very END of the dam tourist area.
At the Dam - The entrance fee is 105rmb. Be prepared to do alot of walking and it will be extrememly hot. It is very pleasant to see in person. The detail and grand scale of concrete is amazing. There are about 3 parts. First you see the 360 viewing point at the very top, then you walk down a small road to get closer to view the back of the dam. Then, from there you take a Dam bus that takes you across a bridge to see the front of the dam, and from there, the end, you take buses to go back to the Liuzhashou Tourist Reception Center. Be careful not to miss the last bus!
If you find anyone Chinese that are touring the dam and speak English, my suggestion is to stick with them and tour together, as I did!
Safe travels.
Written 22 July 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
alliharper
Miami, FL207 contributions
Dec 2013 • Couples
The Three Gorges Dam is the world’s largest hydroelectric power plant built at an estimated cost of 27 billion American dollars. It was constructed primarily for flood control, but with the expectation that it would supply 20% of China’s electrical needs. However, with modernization and industrialization the dam produces less than 2% of China’s energy. Also, because you can now go from Shanghai to Chungking without having to get off the river at Wuhan as used to be necessary, the dam provides the ability to transfer manufacturing from east China where labor costs are increasing to the west where land and labor are cheaper. Thus China can continue as a low cost producer.
As is widely known, much good land and many villages around the Yangtze River were flooded forever to make way for this dam. At one point we could see the top of a bell tower, the only part of a school still visible. Whole new villages have been constructed to house those whose houses are now under water. Also flooded were ancient sites on which archeologists worked feverishly until the last moment.
When we were there in November 2012, they were still working on a ship elevator that will actually lift smaller ships up the needed height so they need not go through the locks. Going through the locks or elevator is free since ships have no other choice.
It would be hard to exaggerate how impressive this dam is. We had to take four long escalators to get to the top of the mountain in order to view the dam. Many ships go through at the same time, bow to stern. My husband and I strongly recommend seeing this site.
As is widely known, much good land and many villages around the Yangtze River were flooded forever to make way for this dam. At one point we could see the top of a bell tower, the only part of a school still visible. Whole new villages have been constructed to house those whose houses are now under water. Also flooded were ancient sites on which archeologists worked feverishly until the last moment.
When we were there in November 2012, they were still working on a ship elevator that will actually lift smaller ships up the needed height so they need not go through the locks. Going through the locks or elevator is free since ships have no other choice.
It would be hard to exaggerate how impressive this dam is. We had to take four long escalators to get to the top of the mountain in order to view the dam. Many ships go through at the same time, bow to stern. My husband and I strongly recommend seeing this site.
Written 15 November 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fireman452
Tallahassee, FL1,480 contributions
Sept 2019 • Couples
Lots to see here and learn. We found out that China plans 3 MORE dams on the Yangtze in the near future. This is really going to change the river and not for the better I think.
Written 11 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elaine Yeoh
Auckland, New Zealand594 contributions
Apr 2017 • Family
If you have a thing for world’s first and engineering marvels then this is one trip that you would want to make this Summer, and have it ticked off the bucket list. Why would you want to see it:
1, The Three Gorges Dam or the Sanxia Da Ba (三峡大坝) is the world’s largest hydroelectric dam created to both produce electricity and increase the Yangtze River’s shipping capacity as well as reduce downstream floods.
2. A project that started construction in 1994, it was fully functioning from 2012 complete with five ship locks and fully completed with a ship lift in December 2015.
3. The project saw China relocating 1.24 million people in 2008 to achieve, costing them US$27.6 billion or RMB180 billion to construct-looked like in reality.
How to get there:
A 3 hour train ride option from Shenzhen or fly domestic from Shenzhen Airport into Yichang (just below 2 hours).
Things you can do:
1. Take a day tour of the Dam via boat (buy it from their website or go with an English speaking tour guide) - the boat tour is leisurely and allows you to cruise down part of the Yangtze to cross the ship lock of the Gezhouba Dam, go inside the Dam area, view the museum, have lunch, and then take a bus back to Yichang. You can’t fly over the Dam because of security issues and you need special military permission to do that – so a bird’s eye view of how the Dam operates and comes together is pretty much out of the question. Thus, a visit to the Dam museum to look at the model of it and how it all works and comes together is mandatory.
2. See the village tribes the next day that live along the river (also by boat and/or via guide). There are several tribal villages living along the Dam – at least 360 million people live here in the stretch from Yichang to Chongqing
Most well known is the Ba Village, a tribe of people who have lived in the region for centuries and in a village built by the banks of the Yangtze River. You also see the Coffin Caves were where the Ba Tribe buried their dead
Total cost for the 2 day itinerary (via tour guide) is 500 RMB per person (inclusive the boat and bus transport and minus a tip for the guide, the meals, an Uber or what China calls a “didi” back to the hotel). Definitely a great way to spend a long weekend. More details on my website.
1, The Three Gorges Dam or the Sanxia Da Ba (三峡大坝) is the world’s largest hydroelectric dam created to both produce electricity and increase the Yangtze River’s shipping capacity as well as reduce downstream floods.
2. A project that started construction in 1994, it was fully functioning from 2012 complete with five ship locks and fully completed with a ship lift in December 2015.
3. The project saw China relocating 1.24 million people in 2008 to achieve, costing them US$27.6 billion or RMB180 billion to construct-looked like in reality.
How to get there:
A 3 hour train ride option from Shenzhen or fly domestic from Shenzhen Airport into Yichang (just below 2 hours).
Things you can do:
1. Take a day tour of the Dam via boat (buy it from their website or go with an English speaking tour guide) - the boat tour is leisurely and allows you to cruise down part of the Yangtze to cross the ship lock of the Gezhouba Dam, go inside the Dam area, view the museum, have lunch, and then take a bus back to Yichang. You can’t fly over the Dam because of security issues and you need special military permission to do that – so a bird’s eye view of how the Dam operates and comes together is pretty much out of the question. Thus, a visit to the Dam museum to look at the model of it and how it all works and comes together is mandatory.
2. See the village tribes the next day that live along the river (also by boat and/or via guide). There are several tribal villages living along the Dam – at least 360 million people live here in the stretch from Yichang to Chongqing
Most well known is the Ba Village, a tribe of people who have lived in the region for centuries and in a village built by the banks of the Yangtze River. You also see the Coffin Caves were where the Ba Tribe buried their dead
Total cost for the 2 day itinerary (via tour guide) is 500 RMB per person (inclusive the boat and bus transport and minus a tip for the guide, the meals, an Uber or what China calls a “didi” back to the hotel). Definitely a great way to spend a long weekend. More details on my website.
Written 24 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OAKLEYS30
Melbourne, Australia5 contributions
May 2015 • Friends
We took a half day tour, which showed both sides of the dam wall, a lookout at the top gives you a view of the lock system up and down the river
Written 27 May 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MelvinPusfinger
Temecula, CA701 contributions
May 2014 • Friends
The dam is all fine and dandy but not particularly entrancing or exciting unless you are an architectural or engineering geek. Stick with the river and the gorges . . I do not give a damn about this.
Written 16 May 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Santenay1er
Toronto, Canada132 contributions
Oct 2013 • Couples
This is the largest dam in the world, measured by volume of concrete used to construct the device. It is a disappointing site to visit for three reasons. First, the dam is not a particularly interesting piece of architecture - it is definitely not the Hoover Dam! Secondly, the sight lines are not very good. You get a better view of the ship locks (at least three of them that is) than you do of the dam itself. Thirdly, there is often smog in the area, so even from the highest observation point you still can’t see very much. If you take a tour on the Yangtze, it might be better to stay up all night to watch your ship travel through the locks and stay in bed the next day when your fellow travelers go to see the dam.
Written 18 November 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joukowski
Perth, Australia32 contributions
Sept 2012 • Friends
is in order if you spend 1/2 a day from the river cruise ship on a tour of this facility.... it's massive. You don't really get too close but what you see is a great deal. A part of the attraction is the history of it's construction (which is still ongoing).
Ensure you're on deck for the ship lift section of the dam cruise where you're lifted from up from the low level to the high level side of the dam - it certainly is an interesting experience.
Gave it a very good score instead of Excellent due to the walking involved - ok so my bones are getting old. :) You younger university engineering back packing students will love this experience.
Ensure you're on deck for the ship lift section of the dam cruise where you're lifted from up from the low level to the high level side of the dam - it certainly is an interesting experience.
Gave it a very good score instead of Excellent due to the walking involved - ok so my bones are getting old. :) You younger university engineering back packing students will love this experience.
Written 4 February 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AZCasualTraveler
Mesa, AZ2,436 contributions
Oct 2012 • Couples
We traveled by a Yangtze cruise ship from Chongqing down the Yangtze and through the ship locks of the Three Gorges Dam. We had already experienced going through the Panama Canal ship locks aboard a much larger cruise ship, but the scenic beauty and the technology behind the Three Gorges Dam and ship locks is much better. As our Yangtze cruise ship moved from one ship lock to the next (5 ship locks total) at the Three Gorges Dam, we were very much impressed by the all the design work and technology behind this project.
After going through to the other side of the dam, we disembarked the ship for a tour of the Three Gorges Dam Visitor Center which is located right next to the dam. From the Visitor Center, you can get excellent views of both the Three Gorges Dam on one side and views of the ship lock on the other. The Visitor Center has a small but beautiful park setting with great views of the area no matter where you stand. The Center also has a building containing photos and a 3D model of the Three Gorges Dam Project outlining the history to completion of this engineering marvel.
This attraction - The Three Gorges Dam with Ship Locks and the Visitor Center is definitely worthy being a 5-Star attraction.
After going through to the other side of the dam, we disembarked the ship for a tour of the Three Gorges Dam Visitor Center which is located right next to the dam. From the Visitor Center, you can get excellent views of both the Three Gorges Dam on one side and views of the ship lock on the other. The Visitor Center has a small but beautiful park setting with great views of the area no matter where you stand. The Center also has a building containing photos and a 3D model of the Three Gorges Dam Project outlining the history to completion of this engineering marvel.
This attraction - The Three Gorges Dam with Ship Locks and the Visitor Center is definitely worthy being a 5-Star attraction.
Written 19 December 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I don't know how this could be arranged. You should contact one of the Chinese tour companies to inquire about a day trip.
Written 16 October 2019
Tour only is about 1 hour. From cruise dock to dam takes about 30 minutes. One has to leave the bus and clear a security check point and reboard the bus. This takes about 30 minutes depending on the crowds. It is about 2 hours from the dam site to Yichang to the cruise collection point.
Written 1 June 2019
HI CHRIS,
just wondering if you took the 4 night cruise first ? If not how did you get there? any tips for a guide
thanks
judy
Written 9 November 2018
I took the cruise from Chungquing to the dam. My tour set up the dam tour.
Written 9 November 2018
Planing to travel from Hefei, Anhui. If anyone can guide about how to reach there and can it be visited in a day or need overnight stay?
Written 16 March 2018
If you intend to just visit the dam, a day trip is enough, but if you also want to visit the three gorge area an overnight stay would be more ideal
Written 18 March 2018
Where can I find bus time-table for Yichang to Badong?
Written 24 February 2018
If my husband and I were to take a train from Chongqing to Yichang, is there a tour agent over there who could take us on a sightseeing tour of the Three Gorges Dam? Or is it possible to do it on our own by buying the relevant passes etc? How much would this cost? Thank you
Written 24 February 2018
We used TCT Top China Travel who arranged everything with English speaking guide and driver which include River cruise from Yichang with spectacular views through Xiling gorge and buses which you have to hop on hop off quite a bit to see the views at different locations. Then a car ride back to Yichang. The three gorge waterfall the next day was also well worth a visit
Written 25 February 2018
I am in Chengdu, is there an easy way to get to the dam and can it be done in a day? We are thinking of a 2 day side trip from Chengdu.
Written 22 July 2017
Hi. I don't think you would be able to do a trip to the three gorges dam in a day from Chengdu.. There are 20+ direct trains a day from Chengdu to Yichang (Yichang East station)but it takes 6hrs 50mins each way (price USD46 each way). Conversely you can fly the same route but the only direct flight departs Chengdu at 5pm (duration 1hr 25mins, price USD 137 each way). The dam is approx. 1 hr from Yichang East railway station. Once at the dam you will need at 4hrs to do it justice, would also recommend visiting the Sanxia tribal scenic spot which is just downstream from the dam (half way between the dam and Yichang), I would allow 3-4 hrs to visit Sanxia.
Btw trains in China are easy to navigate with a lot of English signage at the stations, and announcements in Chinese and English on the trains themselves.
Hope this helps.
Written 22 July 2017
Did you book a tour to get to the dam from Yichang? Is there a reputable company I can contact from the States to set up a tour? Thank you for any input!
Written 26 March 2016
Sorry I can't help, as we were there on a China tour with Sinorama and the Yangste cruise was part of this.
Written 28 March 2016
Has anyone booked a day tour with Yangtze River International Travel of the Three Gorges Dam?
Written 3 August 2015
What is the best way to get to Yichang from Xi'an?
Written 29 July 2015
No idea. I would ask a travel agent
Written 3 August 2015
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