Tanziling hill
A view of the whole dam.
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The world's largest power station by installed capacity, a giant dam across the Yangtze at Sandouping west of Yichang, just below the famous Three Gorges; its 32 main turbines give it 22,500 megawatts, its body stands 185 metres high and runs 2,309 metres long, it was completed in 2006, its power plant ran at full capacity from 2012, and a ship lift was added in 2015. Visitors climb Tanziling hill, the highest viewpoint, to see the whole dam and its five-step ship locks, then go down to the 185 Platform level with the top of the dam and to the Jieliu memorial park by the river, where the dam is seen from below. Entry to the area is free, but the area bus is compulsory at CNY 35 return, and it is open from 8 am to 5 pm, per visitor guides. Bring your passport, as entry requires ID.
A view of the whole dam.
Five steps.
Level with the top.
Sandouping, Yiling District, about 40 km west of central Yichang
By tourist bus or taxi to the visitor centre, then the compulsory area bus at CNY 35; the trip takes about an hour from the city centre, per visitor guides.
The city has restaurants and beef noodle shops run by Hui Muslims under the halal sign, while local Hubei cooking uses pork, so ask about ingredients.