Yichang--The Throat of Chuan and E, A Major City of Hubei

Yichang	Yichang

Yichang, a major city of Hubei Province, located in the dividing line between the upriver and middle reaches of Yangtze River and gorges and plains, it is the port for transferring in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River and a cultural city with a long history as well.
With more than 7,000 or 8,000 years of history; called as "the throat of Chuan (namely Sichuan province) and E (namely Hubei province)"; in the Xia and Shang dynasties, used to be the ancient "lands of Jingzhou"; in Spring and Autumn Period, as well as Warring States, cortrolled by the Chu State, being called "the west frontier fortress of Chu" in history; one of the cradles of Chu Culture; called "Xiling" in remote antiquity; also known as "Yiling" for the Yishan Mountain in the northwest, "Xiazhou" for guarding the Three Gorges

The Three Gorges Dam spans the Yangtze at Sandouping, Yichang, Hubei province, China. Construction began in 1994. It is now the largest hydroelectric dam in the world. The reservoir began filling on June 1, 2003, and will occupy the present position of the scenic Three Gorges area, between the cities of Yichang, Hubei; and Fuling, Chongqing Municipality.
As with many dams under construction, there is controversy over the rights and wrongs of this project. Proponents point to the economic benefits from flood control and hydroelectric power. Opposition is mainly due to concerns about the future of the 1.9 million people who will be displaced by the rising waters; the loss of many valuable archaeological and cultural sites; as well as the effects on the environment.