Address: Quyuan Temple, Zigui, Yichang, Hubei, China
Attraction Location
Quyuan Temple of Yichang Videos
CHINA: FIRST STAGE OF THREE GORGES DAM PROJECT IS COMPLETE
Mandarin/Nat
It's being called China's biggest construction project since the Great Wall.
The first stage is almost complete the giant Three Gorges Dam which will supply huge amounts of energy and displace more than a million.
On Saturday, the mighty Yangtze River will be diverted to allow the controversial construction project to continue.
Known through the ages as one of China's most scenic spots, the Yangtze River's Three Gorges has attracted tourists from all over the world.
But the Three Gorges are now synonymous with the world's largest engineering project.
Strongly supported by Prime Minister Li Peng, the dam will cost an estimated 25 (b) billion U-S dollars and displace over 1.2 (m) million people.
The dam will create a 600 square kilometre reservoir with the world's largest hydroelectric power plant. This plant will provide much-needed electricity to central and southern China.
Eighteen-thousand people are working around the clock on the dam. They have come from all over the country but mainly from Yichang county where the dam is being built.
All are conscious of the vital importance of the project.
SOUNDBITE: (Mandarin)
Hydroelectric power has developed rather quickly since the beginning of the reform period. If electrical power continues to develop, other areas of the economy will also be able to develop quickly.
SUPER CAPTION: Yang Haijiang, Construction worker
Another main goal of the dam is to put an end to the devastating flooding frequently caused by the uncontrolled rise of the Yangtze.
SOUNDBITE: (Mandarin)
The dam will supply electricity to faraway places and also prevent floods.
SUPER CAPTION: Li Dongying, construction worker
The Yangtze River basin has suffered from chronic flooding throughout Chinese history.
Wuhan, capital of Hubei Province, was flooded in 1996. Three major floods this century have killed over 300-thousand people. The economic consequences have been enormous.
Chinese leaders have long dreamed of taming the Yangtze and saving the Chinese people from its wrath.
But, despite claims by the Chinese government that the project is completely safe and will fulfil all its goals, the dam has raised worldwide criticism from environmentalists, engineers and other professionals.
Environmentalists claim that the Yangtze River is too muddy and that the dam will cause an enormous build-up of silt. This build-up could cause floods that would threaten Chongqing, one of China's larger city.
Archaeologists are already mourning the disappearance of China's richest cultural heritage sites. Some temples, such as the Qu Yuan temple in Zigui, will be moved.
But many relics will disappear under water because of lack of funds to relocate them.
SOUNDBITE: (Mandarin)
As an archaeologist, if those relics were relocated or destroyed we will be very sorry for that.
SUPER CAPTION: LU Depei, China Archaeology Institute
The project will threaten rare animals including the Chinese Sturgeon which spawns in the Yangtze River. Efforts have been made to save some of these animals.
At the Chinese Sturgeon Park in Yichang City scientists inject the sturgeons with hormones to help them produce eggs and then release them into the river.
The only species of Chinese alligator which lives on the banks of the Yangtze is also a cause of concern for wildlife experts.
Tens of thousands of acres of farmland will also be inundated.
Farmers are being relocated to towns and many are afraid of unemployment.
SOUNDBITE: (Mandarin)
Once construction of the dam is completed, we won't have much land left for planting. Young people will take government assigned jobs and old people will have to rely on government handouts.
You can license this story through AP Archive:
Find out more about AP Archive:
Zigui Zhongfu Hotel
Zigui Zhongfu Hotel Landscape 6-17-C, No.6, Binhu Road, 443600 Zigui, China ================================================ Set on the banks of Yangtze River, all rooms at Zigui Zhongfu Hotel enjoy stunning views of Three Gorges Dam. The property offers both free Wi-Fi and free wired internet access, as well as free on-site parking.
Zigui Zhongfu Hotel is a 12-minute walk from Quyuan Temple and Zigui Port. Three Gorges Dam is a 15-minute walk away and Yichang Sanxia Airport is a 1-hour drive away ==================================================== Book Now : Book Now :