A single stroke of “three” paints the Three Gorges, a new waterway connecting rivers and seas. On June 8, 2026, construction of the Three Gorges Water Transport New Channel Project officially began.

Looking down from above at the Three Gorges Dam, on the left bank of the water: two original channels lie quietly on the river surface—one is a ship lift, the other is a five-stage lock. Further left, a new channel breaks ground and comes to life. Beside the Three Gorges, the stroke forms a “three.” The latest stroke of this “three” falls not only beside the majestic Three Gorges Dam, but also on a new page in the history of China’s inland water transport.

As the largest comprehensive project integrating water conservancy, shipping, and ecological functions on the main stream of the Yangtze River after the Three Gorges Project, and the first major landmark project initiated during China’s “15th Five-Year Plan” period, this new channel will unblock the golden waterway’s arteries, connect east and west, link rivers and seas, and reshape the new water transport pattern for the Yangtze River Economic Belt with a robust stroke of “three.”

01

The river’s roar is vast, boats come and go

The Yangtze River is the world’s busiest inland waterway for freight, with the largest cargo volume. It carries 70% of the nation’s inland freight traffic, nourishes 40% of the population along its banks, and nurtures nearly half of China’s economic output. The cost advantage of water transport is unique—estimates show that the cost per ton-kilometer for inland shipping is only one-third that of railways and one-seventh that of highways. For cross-regional movement of bulk goods, the Yangtze River is almost the only choice.

The quality of this golden waterway was fully enhanced after the Three Gorges Project was completed.

Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River

Once upon a time, the upper reaches were the most dangerous and difficult section of the Yangtze. Shoals were dense, and rocks were sharp as knives. After the Three Gorges Reservoir impounded water, the shoals sank to the bottom, and the channel opened up. During dry seasons, increased downstream discharge also ensured depth in the lower reaches. Between upstream and downstream, navigation conditions were fundamentally reshaped. Originally planned with a double-line, five-stage lock and a ship lift for the Three Gorges Dam, the target year was 2030, with a one-way capacity of 50 million tons and a two-way capacity of 100 million tons. In that era, these figures were bold enough.

But China’s development speed far exceeded the planning and design!

The national economy grew rapidly, freight demand increased year after year, and water transport volume rose accordingly. In 2011, the actual throughput of the Three Gorges ship locks exceeded 100 million tons, reaching the designed capacity of the Three Gorges hub 19 years ahead of schedule. By 2025, the throughput of the Three Gorges hub had reached 173 million tons.

To address this, relevant authorities officially initiated responsive studies, and the concept of the Three Gorges Water Transport New Channel emerged on paper.

From the 2016 “Outline of the Yangtze River Economic Belt Development Plan,” which proposed studying the construction of a new water transport channel for the Three Gorges hub and supporting works for the Gezhouba hub, to the 2025 approval of the “Feasibility Study Report for the Three Gorges Water Transport New Channel Project” by the National Development and Reform Commission, and then to 2026 when the “15th Five-Year Plan” outline clearly listed it as a construction priority, the progress of the Three Gorges Water Transport New Channel Project has become increasingly solid with each step.

Now, this highly anticipated major project has fully commenced main construction.

02

Splitting mountains to build locks, forging a new passage

The third stroke of the “three” falls between the mountains of Xiling Gorge.

The Three Gorges Water Transport New Channel Project consists of two parts: the Three Gorges hub new channel project and the Gezhouba shipping expansion project. A set of hardcore parameters marks its construction scale.

Schematic diagram of the Three Gorges hub new channel project plan

First, let’s talk about the Three Gorges hub new channel. The total length of the new channel route is 6,680 meters

Three Gorges

The Three Gorges is a scenic region along the Yangtze River in China, renowned for its dramatic limestone cliffs, deep valleys, and cultural significance. Historically, the area has been a vital transportation route and inspiration for poets and artists for centuries, with notable gorges like Qutang, Wu, and Xiling. The construction of the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric project, has transformed the landscape and relocated millions of people, sparking both economic benefits and environmental debates.

Three Gorges Dam

The Three Gorges Dam is a massive hydroelectric dam situated on the Yangtze River in China’s Hubei province, completed in 2012 after nearly two decades of construction. Built to control flooding, generate clean energy, and improve river navigation, it is the world’s largest power station in terms of installed capacity. The project has a complex history, involving the relocation of over a million people and significant environmental and cultural impacts, including the submersion of numerous archaeological sites.

Yangtze River

The Yangtze River is the longest river in Asia and the third longest in the world, flowing over 6,300 kilometers through China. It has been a cradle of Chinese civilization for thousands of years, supporting agriculture, trade, and cultural development along its basin. Historically, it served as a natural boundary between northern and southern China and was the site of key events such as the Three Gorges Dam project and battles during the Chinese Civil War.

Three Gorges Reservoir

The Three Gorges Reservoir is the massive man-made lake created by the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River in China, completed in 2003 and fully operational by 2012. Its construction, the world’s largest hydroelectric project, submerged hundreds of towns and archaeological sites, displacing over a million people and flooding the famous Three Gorges—Qutang, Wu, and Xiling—which were historically renowned for their dramatic cliffs and cultural significance. Today, the reservoir serves as a vital source of flood control, electricity, and navigation, while also altering the region’s landscape and ecology.

Gezhouba hub

The Gezhouba hub is a large-scale water control project located on the Yangtze River in Yichang, Hubei Province, China. Construction began in 1970 and was completed in 1988, making it the first major dam built on the Yangtze and a precursor to the Three Gorges Dam. It serves multiple purposes, including hydroelectric power generation, flood control, and navigation improvement.

Xiling Gorge

Xiling Gorge is the easternmost and longest of the Three Gorges on the Yangtze River in China, stretching approximately 76 kilometers. Historically notorious for its treacherous rapids and dangerous shoals, it was a major obstacle for ancient navigation. However, the construction of the Three Gorges Dam, located at its outlet near Yichang, has since tamed the river and submerged many of the gorge’s most perilous features.