Gezhouba Water Conservancy Project is the experimental dam of the Three Gorges Dam, located in Yichang, Hubei Province, 38 kilometers away from the dam. When the Yangtze River goes through the Nanjin Pass, the river suddenly becomes a lot broader, widening from 300 meters to 2,200 meters. At a cost of 4.9 billion RMB, this project started in 1970 and finished in 1988. 2,606 meters long and 53 meters high, the dam divided Yangtze River into three parts, which are respectively called Da Jiang (1st River), Er Jiang (2nd River) and San Jiang (3rd River) in a south to north order. It has two hydroelectric power stations, three navigation locks, and several sluice gates some of which are used for collecting water in dry seasons. At the first sight of this huge project, people will surely be astonished at its size and the majestic waterfall pouring from water gates.

Some say that this project not only benefits the country and the people as a whole, but is also a feast to eye and imagination. There is a total storage capacity of 1.58 billion cubic meters, and a maximum discharging capability of 110,000 cubic meters per second. Since 1981, it has survived two severe floods. The two power stations generate 15.7 billion kw/h each year serving Shanghai, Henan Province, Hunan Province, and Wuhan city etc. The three ship locks, each has a chamber 280 meters long, 34 meters wide and five meters deep, make it possible for 10,000-ton passenger or cargo ships to pass through. In recent years, this project has become a popular sightseeing spot with the construction of the Three Gorges Dam Project. Standing near the sluices, people will be amazed at this manmade wonder.

Admission Fee: 10 RMB

Bus Route: Nos. 3 and 9