One fixed route, three zones, engineering on the largest human scale — these notes blend official guidance with Mafengwo travelers' visits.
Suggested Itinerary
- The Half-Day Circuit
Visitor transfer centre → shuttle to Tanzeling (overlook + model hall) → shuttle to 185 Platform (lock-watching) → shuttle down to Closure Memorial Park → return. 3–4 hours. - The Dam-and-Gorge Day
Morning dam circuit; afternoon the 'Two Dams One Gorge' boat — locks at Gezhouba, Xiling Gorge scenery, back by evening (≥¥98). - The Cruise Perspective
Yangtze cruises (Chongqing–Yichang, from ~¥1088) pass the locks at night or thread the ship lift — the dam as a passenger.
What to See
The Model Hall at Tanzeling
The whole reservoir in miniature — the orientation that makes the full-scale view click.
Locks from the 185 Line
The five chambers in cascade — watch the water stair-step a fleet through.
The Diversion Stones
The tetrahedral blocks dumped to close the river in 1997 — preserved where they fell.
Xiling Bridge & Gorge
The suspension bridge over the upstream face, with the 'high gorge, level lake' reservoir beyond.
Closure Park Performances
Song-and-dance shows on the riverside stage between shuttles.
Gezhouba Companion
The older dam downstream — included in the cruise itineraries as the warm-up act.
Photo Gallery






Tips from Real Travelers
Food & Drink
Yichang Fish Dishes
Yangtze-line fish restaurants — steamed bream and fish soup with pickled peppers.
Three Gorges Tofu & Chestnut
The gorge valleys' mountain chestnuts and the local pressed tofu — road-food classics.
Luo River Rice Cake
Yichang's sticky rice-cake street snack — the sweet ending to the dam shuttle day.
Liangxia 'Cold Shrimp'
Yichang's heritage street drink — rice paste dripped through a strainer into chilled brown-sugar water, no shrimp in sight; the post-dam cooler from the old-town stalls.
CHINA 5A TRAVEL
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