You will want to ensure that your holidays in China include Yichang, on the northern bank of the Yangtze River. The city’s history can be traced back 4,000 years and was the locale for many an important strategic battle. Famous battles that took place in Yichang include the Changbanpo Battle and the Yiling Battle. Both these battles took place during the reign of The Three Kingdoms Period (220-280). Many artifacts are still found today from those ancient battles. Imagine the history! Holidays in China will be made even more memorable with a visit to Yichang.
Yichang is also known as the birthplace of several famous people including concubine Wang Zhao and the poet, Qu Yuan. Yichang is known as the transportation center of China, being located in the middle of the country and giving access to both eastern and western China. Many modes of transportation are available to get to Yichang, which makes access to this historic city very convenient and easily accessible for visitors on holidays in China.
Yichang is fortunate to have an abundance of water resources; therefore, it has become the largest hydroelectric base in the world as vacationers on holidays in China will note. The city benefits from the Three Gorges Dam Project and the Gezhouba Water Conservancy Project. Millions of visitors on holidays in China arrive to view the Three Gorges Dam, which is one of the greatest wonders of the modern world.
The Three Gorges Dam Project
The Dam will be constructed of three parts: the Dam itself, the hydropower stations, and the navigation facility. The project was undertaken in three phases, starting in 1993 and scheduled for completion in 2009. It has been a major tourist attraction for those on holidays in China for more than a decade now. It is the largest Dam construction project in the world. Besides power generation and greater navigation ease, the Dam was designed to control flooding along the Yangtze River as well. A special Tanziling was built to give visitors on holidays in China the best view possible of the Three Gorges.
The first navigation on the locks in this project was witnessed in June 2003 as two passenger ships and five freighters passed through the ship lock on the Dam. This put a new mark on the historical Chinese timeline of important events. Sightseers on holidays in China will be very much in awe of this massive project.
Gezhouba Water Conservancy Project
This project is an experimental dam rising from the Three Gorges Dam Project. It was begun in 1970 and finished in 1988, and it divides the Yangtze River into three parts. This was a huge project with enormous expectations. It consists of three navigation locks, as well as two hydro-electric power stations. It also has many sluice-gates which are used to collect water for the dry season. When the sluice-gates are opened, the power of the waterfalls creates breathtaking views. The two power stations are responsible for generating 15.7 billion kwh each year. The admission fee for travelers on holidays in China is CNY 10.
The Yangtze River runs through Yichang and brings the creation of many natural reserve areas that are greatly beneficial to the city. Travelers on holidays in China will notice right away the wonderful natural resources that are available to the city. Several scenic areas are ensconced throughout the surrounding forests that make compelling stops for sightseers on holidays in China.