Xiling Gorge and Three Gorges Dam
We left the dock early on the morning of the 16th, heading for the first of the three gorges on the Yangtze (the one farthest downstream). The first pic was taken as we were entering the gorge -- several miles below the Three Gorges Dam.
The next picture is midway to the dam. There is a small waterway off to the side of the river with docks for fishing boats.
Before going through the locks, we docked and drove to the dam's visitor's center. The Three Gorges Dam is enormous. Here is a view of part of the dam.
Then we went back to the cruise ship and sailed upstream. Here is as we were going through one of the locks. There are five locks going upstream and four down. It took a while for us to go through the first lock since we were waiting for a second cruise ship and a second barge to enter the lock before the lock door was closed and water began filling the lock. But, after that, it was really fast -- about half an hour per lock. It was interesting how the locks opened and closed and how quickly the ship rose as water filled the lock. We were close enough to the side of the lock that we could touch it.
The last pic is from the top of the dam after we'd gone through all the locks. The final water level is going to be even higher than it is currently -- meaning that many more people will need to be relocated.
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