This attraction introduction is compiled from historical materials in the "Zhangjiajie Tour Guide Network" (33519.com · Scenic Spots section). Ticket prices, opening hours, transportation, and contact information mentioned in the text may be outdated. Please refer to the latest official announcements from the scenic area before traveling; some content consists of historical background/cultural introductions and is for reference only.
Dayuandu Artificial Lake is divided into two parts: the Dayuandu Navigation-Power Project and the Tourism Resort Science Popularization Paradise.
The Dayuandu Navigation-Power Hub is a national key project integrating energy, irrigation, transportation, tourism, and other functions. It is located in Yonghe Township, Hengshan County, in the middle reaches of the Xiangjiang River, about ten kilometers from Hengshan County town. The entire project invested 1.895 billion yuan. Construction began in December 1995, lasted five years, and was fully completed and put into operation in June 2000. The hub project consists of a dam, a ship lock, and a power station. The dam-top road has a total length of 679 meters, connecting the transportation of Hengshan and Hengdong, bringing great convenience to the people on both banks. The entire dam has 23 radial spillway gates. During the flood season when water is released for flood discharge, the floodwater flows through the gates from top to bottom, creating a majestic spectacle of irresistible force and a thousand-mile rush, like ten thousand horses galloping, breathtaking.
On the west side of the dam is the hydroelectric power station. The station has 4 generating units, with an annual power generation of 556 million kilowatt-hours. The ship lock is located on the east side of the dam and can accommodate two thousand-ton barge fleets at a time.
The dam spans the Xiangjiang River, intercepting the upstream water to raise the water level for power generation. Upstream of the dam after interception, the water level rises and the lake surface widens, forming a vast artificial lake. The lake surface is as smooth as a mirror, with mountains and water reflecting each other, like a natural landscape painting, too beautiful to fully take in. The lake is broad with misty waves stretching far, an excellent place for water recreation. The Zhongzhou Island downstream has been planned as the center of the Dayuandu Resort Science Popularization Paradise. The science popularization paradise uses modern means to simulate ecological environments, natural disasters, aviation, aerospace, navigation, astronomy, etc., establishing corresponding science museums, space museums, future museums, ecology museums, geophysics museums, and other venues, respectively demonstrating through dynamic models, motion films, and realistic sound, light, and electricity high-tech means the formation of the universe, waves and tides, space travel, interstellar adventures, and natural phenomena such as volcanoes, earthquakes, thunder, lightning, and snow. At the same time, reception facilities such as villas and hotels have been built; fitness projects such as swimming pools, golf courses, beach ball courts, beach baths, and sunbathing; and entertainment projects such as waterfall drifting, children's playgrounds, and water yachts, speedboats, and windsurfing, which will let you play happily and forget to go home.
