The mighty Yangtze river and its Three Gorges has long been one of Asia's most revered and dramatic nature attractions. But, regardless of the beauty, the controversial Three Gorges Dam, which could be known as the Sanxia Dam, is under 24-hour construction at Xiling Gorge and Sandouping. The dam will increase the water level hundreds of meters while displacing 1.4 million Chinese, including complete cities, temples, tombs and a landscape that is irreplaceable.

TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE
Though the dam is tagged as a 17-year completion project, the time to cruise the Yangtze for a final full-view look at the gorges is within the next five years before the water level begins to rise.