Home » The Three Gorges (長江三峽) » Yi Chang (宜昌)

9/16/2006 (Sat) - We woke up early and took an early morning flight to Yi Chang. Arriving at Yi Chang - we made a water stop (the tour guide claimed to being doing us a favor by taking us to a store that sell water that are much cheaper than available on the boat (true), but the store seemed to be geared toward tourists and not locals as the lights were off when we arrived, and the bus driver had to honk to get the store owner to turn the lights on), had dinner (the restaurant was quite festive in the traditional Chinese sense, with the expected rowdy party goers toasting drinks on a Sat night) and headed to the boat afterwards to check in and turn in. The road to the Dam site and to the boat went was surprisingly rough. It was obvious that the originally well-built road had been pummelled into the current shape (no pot holes, but unduling, very uneven surfaces) with heavy truck traffic. Portions of the roads were very visibly well guarded, with security check points. Supposedly we were priviledged to have had to obtain special permission to travel this way. The next day, 9/17, we left for an early morning visit of the Three Gorges Dam before departing on the boat cruise.

Arriving at Yi Chang airport
Arriving at our boat - seeing these huge ramps (in anticipation of the rising waters) for the first time
Water filled ship locks at the Three Gorges Dam
Dry ship locks at the Three Gorges Dam
Model of Three Gorges Dam #1
Model of Three Gorges Dam #2
Model of Three Gorges Dam #3
Monument to workers at the Dam
Construction of ship lock at Three Gorges Dam
Me at the base of the Dam
View of Three Gorges Dam #1
View of Three Gorges Dam #2
Me at top of observation site
View of Three Gorges Dam #3
Our boat with the hage ramp again
Our boat with another ramp in the distance
View of other boats in the area
Are these structures for silt control or to form natural harbors in the future?
View of ramp from my room in the boat
View of concrete enforcements to protect against future erosion
Another river view #1
Another river view #2
View of stair well by the river
View of sign marking future water level (see ! sign)
Hazy mountains in the distance
Coal ships everywhere...
Hydrofoils are common on the river
Container boat on the river
Panoramic view at base of the Dam

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