Danjiangkou Dam
Danjiangkou Dam, located on the Han River in Danjiangkou City, Hubei Province, is a monumental water conservancy project completed in 1973. Standing 176.6 meters tall and stretching 2,494 meters wide, it forms the Danjiangkou Reservoir—Asia’s largest artificial freshwater lake, covering 1,050 square kilometers. The dam serves multiple purposes: flood control, hydroelectric power generation (1.8 GW capacity), irrigation, and water supply for the South-to-North Water Diversion Middle Route Project, benefiting over 60 million people. Designated a national 4A-level scenic area in 2017, it combines engineering grandeur with ecological beauty.
Historical Overview
- 1958: Construction approved by Mao Zedong as part of the "Great Leap Forward."
- 1967: Dam body completed after mobilizing 100,000 workers.
- 1973: Full operation began, with the reservoir storing 29 billion cubic meters of water.
- 2005: Expansion initiated to double water capacity for the South-to-North Diversion.
- 2014: Expanded dam heightened to 176.6 meters, enabling annual water transfers of 9.5 billion cubic meters to Beijing.
- 2023: Recognized as a "National Water Conservancy Heritage Site."
Structural Layout
The dam complex comprises three zones:
- Main Dam Zone: The 176.6-meter concrete gravity dam with 14 spillway gates, capable of discharging 11,300 cubic meters of water per second.
- Power Generation Zone: A hydroelectric plant with 6 turbines (300 MW each) and a 220 kV transmission network.
- Reservoir Recreation Zone: A 1,050 km² lake with 800 km of shoreline, featuring islands, wetlands, and the "Water Diversion Memorial Park."
Major Attractions
- Dam Observation Deck: A panoramic viewpoint showcasing the dam’s scale and reservoir vistas.
- South-to-North Water Diversion Museum: Interactive exhibits on the project’s engineering and ecological impact.
- Xiaofengkou Scenic Area: A restored ancient village submerged by the reservoir, accessible via boat tours.
- Hydroelectric Plant Tour: Guided visits to turbine halls and control rooms (advance booking required).
- Wulong Temple: A Ming Dynasty temple relocated during dam construction, now a cultural heritage site.
- Reservoir Cruise: 2-hour boat trips exploring islands and migratory bird habitats.
Suggested Itineraries
Classic Tour (3–4 hours):
Entrance → Dam Observation Deck → Water Diversion Museum → Wulong Temple → Reservoir Cruise.
Highlights: Engineering marvels, cultural relics, and lake scenery.
Engineering Focus (5–6 hours):
Entrance → Hydroelectric Plant Tour → Dam Spillway Viewing → Xiaofengkou Scenic Area → Sunset at Observation Deck.
Highlights: Technical insights and submerged village history.
Comprehensive Experience (Full Day):
Morning: All sites above + Lunch at Lakeside Restaurant.
Afternoon: Guided hike along the dam’s ecological trail, photography at spillway gates.
Ticket Purchase
- Online: Book via Ctrip or “Danjiangkou Dam Official” WeChat mini-program (up to 7 days in advance).
- Prices (2025):
- Dam Entrance: ¥60 (adults), ¥30 (students/seniors).
- Hydroelectric Plant Tour: ¥40 (adults), ¥20 (concessions).
- Combined Ticket: ¥90 (adults), ¥45 (concessions).
- Free: Children under 1.2m, disabled visitors.
Transportation
From Wuhan:
- High-Speed Rail: Wuhan Station → Shiyan Station (2.5 hours), then taxi (¥120, 1.5 hours).
- Self-Drive: G70 Expressway → Danjiangkou Exit → G209 National Road → Dam Entrance.
From Shiyan City: - Direct Bus: Shiyan Central Station → Danjiangkou Dam (1.5 hours, ¥25).
Best Time & Tips
- Peak Seasons: spring (April–May) for migratory birds; autumn (October–November) for clear dam views.
- Avoid Crowds: Visit weekdays; weekends attract 2,000+ tourists.
- Essentials:
- Wear sunscreen and a hat (open-air observation decks).
- Bring ID for plant tour registration.
- Photography allowed except in control rooms.
- Prohibited: Swimming in reservoir, drone flights without permits.
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What Our Clients Say?
Based on 10,000+ traveler reviews
Daniel Dorothea
Canada
Reviewed on April 29,2025
Shopping on Nanjing Road in Shanghai was just amazing! It's truly the "First Commercial Street of China", where tradition and modernity blend perfectly. You can find awesome souvenirs and experience the trendy vibes in cool stores. The neon lights at night are just spectacular, shining bright like Times Square in New York. The food here is incredible too. I had a feast for my taste buds. Shanghai, I'll definitely be back!
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May 08,2024
Elvis Eva
Canada
Reviewed on June 20,2025
As a solo traveler from Canada, I was nervous about navigating China alone—but this 11-day tour was PERFECT! From hiking the Great Wall at sunrise (Day 3) to gasping at the Terracotta Army (Day 5), every day delivered ‘pinch-me’ moments. The real showstopper? Zhangjiajie’s Avatar Mountains (Day 7)! Our guide made the stone pillars come alive with stories.
Massive thanks for handling all logistics—bullet train tickets, entry passes, car! And the 4-star hotels surprised me.
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Beijing Xian Zhangjiajie Shanghai
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June 02,2025
Simon
America
Reviewed on May 29,2025
Our 2-day Zhangjiajie tour was beyond spectacular! As someone who’s visited Beijing and Shanghai for work, this trip revealed China’s wild, magical heart. Day 1 in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park felt like stepping onto Pandora—I’m a huge Avatar fan, and Yuanjiajie’s floating peaks left me breathless. The misty pillars and lush valleys like pure movie magic!
Then came Fenghuang Ancient Town, we eat dinner beside the thundering waterfall. It seems Unreal! The night views of stilt houses glowing over the river were straight from a fairy tale.
For fellow Avatar lovers and adventure seekers: Don’t miss this bucket-list experience! 10/10 would return.
A Well-Traveled Film Buff, May 2025
Destination(s):
Zhangjiajie
Date of
Experience:
May 08,2025
