Chinanews, Chongqing, Oct. 8 – A week later, Dachang, a small ancient town in the Yangtze River valley, will be submerged under water permanently.

 

Dachang sprang up as a town in the Jin Dynasty some 1,700 years ago. It was once the most well-preserved ancient town in the Three Gorges Dam area.

 

When water in the Three Gorges Dam reached the 175-meter mark, Dachang will sink into the water completely to become a large lake. Covering a total area of 12 square kilometers, it will become the biggest lake in the Three Gorges Dam area.

 

An official from the Wushan Cultural Bureau said that related relocation work was almost completed. In the new Dachang, the town’s fire control, power generation and water supply systems will be designed with modern technology while the city will still retain its outlook of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Thirty-five ancient buildings in the old town have been moved to the new site. This is the largest relocation project taking place in the Three Gorges Dam area. After completion, the new Dachang town will be opened as a tourist destination in the Three Gorges tour.