The central part of China's Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River is expected to open to tourists later this year. Visitors will be able to access the highest point to get a close look at the pioneering project.

The Three Gorges Dam, which is 2,309 meters long and 185 meters high, should be completed by the end of 2007.

Work has been divided, with construction starting from the left and right banks of the river. The left side, more than 1,600 meters long, is already finished.

About a dozen tourist spots, including a square and wall have been set up inside a park, celebrating the damming of the Yangtze River.

Sources say more than 800,000 sightseers visited the Three Gorges Dam area in 2004 generating 130 million yuan or US$15.6 million.

(CCTV.com February 22, 2005)