How did the Three Gorges Dam affect people and cultural sites along China’s Yangtze River?

The construction of the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River has had a profound and controversial impact on both the local population and the region's cultural heritage.

Displacement of People

The project necessitated the large-scale relocation of residents to make way for the dam’s massive reservoir. It is estimated that at least 1.3 million people were displaced, though some critics have argued the figure is as high as 1.9 million. These individuals lived in more than 1,500 cities, towns, and villages that were submerged as the reservoir filled.1

Loss of Cultural and Archaeological Sites

The creation of the reservoir resulted in the destruction of significant cultural and historical assets. As floodwaters rose, approximately 1,200 sites of historical and archaeological importance that lined the middle reaches of the Yangtze River were lost. In addition to these sites, the project led to the destruction of magnificent natural scenery and numerous rare architectural landmarks.1

The environmental and social costs of the dam, including this widespread displacement and loss of heritage, remain a central point of contention regarding the project's legacy.12