Three Gorges
Three sequential gorges on the Yangtze, famed for scenery and history.
The region is historically and culturally important in China, with many settlements and archaeological sites submerged by the upstream reservoir of the Three Gorges Dam.
- location
- Middle reaches of the Yangtze River, People's Republic of China
- component_gorges
- Qutang, Wu, Xiling
- western_end
- Baidicheng, Chongqing
- eastern_end
- Nanjin Pass, Yichang, Hubei
- known_for
- Scenery, historical and cultural importance, Three Gorges Dam
Lore & Background
The Three Gorges have been appreciated for their natural beauty for hundreds of years.
Reader's Guide
The Three Gorges region is historically and culturally important in China, attracting global attention due to the Three Gorges Dam, which changed the culture and environment of the region. The gorges were formed through geological processes including the Yanshanian movement around 70 million years ago, with erosion carving narrow valleys in limestone and wider valleys in softer sandstone and shale. Shipbuilding and navigation advances in the Tang and Song dynasties allowed regular transport through the gorges, but passage remained dangerous until the introduction of motorized boats, with manual labor used to some extent until the 1970s.
Did You Know?
- Li Daoyuan of the Northern Wei dynasty described the gorges in his Commentary on the Water Classic, noting mountains stretching more than 200 miles.
- The gorges were formed through the Yanshanian movement around 70 million years ago.
- Manual labor was used to navigate the gorges to some extent until the 1970s.
More in Caves & Gorges 1-23
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