Dachaoshan Hydropower Station in Yunxian County, Lincang

Chinese Name: 云县大朝山电站
English Name: Dachaoshan Hydropower Station in Yunxian County, Lincang

The Dachaoshan Hydropower Station is located on the Lancang River, which forms the border between Yunnan Province’s Yun County and Jingdong Yi Autonomous County. It is a downstream cascade in the middle and lower reaches of the Lancang River, immediately following the Manwan Hydropower Station. The station is 70 kilometers downstream from Manwan. It has a total installed capacity of 1350 MW, with an average annual power generation of 5.931 billion kWh. After the construction of the upstream Xiaowan Hydropower Station, this capacity could reach 7.021 billion kWh.

Basic Parameters:

• Distance from Manwan Hydropower Station: 70 kilometers
• Design Flood: 500-year flood peak flow of 18,200 cubic meters/second; 5,000-year flood peak flow of 23,800 cubic meters/second
• Catchment Area: 121,000 square kilometers
• Average Flow: 1,330 cubic meters/second
• Normal Reservoir Water Level: 899 meters
• Total Reservoir Capacity: 940 million cubic meters
• Regulated Reservoir Capacity: 360 million cubic meters
• Inundated Farmland: 825.7 hectares
• Displaced Population: 6,100, with only 84 below the inundation line

Engineering Design:

• Dam Type: Riverbed roller-compacted concrete (RCC) overflow gravity dam
• Maximum Dam Height: 111 meters
• Dam Top Elevation: 906 meters
• Dam Top Length: 480 meters
• Foundation Rock Type: Mainly basalt with interbedded thin layers of tuff
• Flood Control Facilities:
  • 5 overflow sluice gates (14m×17m)
  • 3 flood discharge bottom sluices (7.5m×10m)
  • 1 sediment discharge sluice (3m×6m)

Powerhouse and Turbine Configuration:

• Underground Powerhouse: Includes main and auxiliary powerhouse, installation room, main transformer chamber, tailwater regulation chamber, tailwater tunnels, etc.
• Main Powerhouse: Length 233.9 meters, apex span 28 meters, excavation span 30.92 meters, side wall span 25.5 meters
• Main Transformer Chamber: Length 157.35 meters, width 16.2 meters, height 17.95 meters
• Tailwater Regulation Chamber: Length 216 meters, width 22.4 meters, height 72.63 meters
• Turbine Configuration: 6 units, each with a capacity of 225 MW

Power Transmission:

• Voltage Levels: 500 kV and 220 kV
• 500 kV Transmission Lines: 2 lines to Kunming
• GIS Equipment: Located in the switchgear building

Construction and Development:

• Construction Start Date: 1992
• Diversion Tunnel Completion: May 1996
• National Approval for Construction: August 4, 1997
• Main Dam Construction Start: November 10, 1997
• First Unit Commissioned: End of 2001
• Total Construction Period: 8 years
• Earth and Rock Excavation: 5.18 million cubic meters (including tunnel excavation of 1.57 million cubic meters)
• Concrete Used: 2.04 million cubic meters (including 0.9 million cubic meters of RCC)
• Total Investment: 8.87 billion RMB

Investment and Management:

The Dachaoshan Hydropower Station was financed by the National Development and Investment Corporation, Hongta Group, Yunnan Province Investment Company, and the Yunnan Provincial Electric Power Bureau, who jointly established Yunnan Dachaoshan Hydropower Co., Ltd. for the construction and management of the project.

Design and Construction Units:

• Design Unit: Beijing Electric Power Design Institute of the State Power Corporation
• Geological Survey: Kunming Survey and Design Institute
• Major Construction Units: China Water Resources and Hydropower First Engineering Bureau, Third Engineering Bureau, Eighth Engineering Bureau, Fourteenth Engineering Bureau, and Gezhouba Engineering Bureau

The Dachaoshan Hydropower Station is a significant hydropower project in western China, crucial for regional economic development and energy supply.

Tourist Attraction Overview:

Dachaoshan-Ganhai Lake Scenic Area

Dachaoshan-Ganhai Lake Scenic Area, located in Lincang City, Yunnan Province, is renowned for its natural beauty. It features lush forests, rhododendrons, mountains, and rivers all in one place, offering a unique and captivating landscape. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the continuous mountain ranges, relax in the resorts, and experience the grandeur of the hydropower station. Scenic phenomena such as sunrise at Dachaoshan, morning mist over the Lancang River, and cloud seas on misty mountains are particularly popular and attract many tourists.

Attraction Distribution:

The Dachaoshan-Ganhai Lake Scenic Area covers 190.8 square kilometers in Yun County. It consists of four main zones: Wenwan-Wenzhu River, Dachaoshan-Daxue Mountain, Aihua Town, and Liangshan Tianchi. With a total of 129 scenic spots, the area is vibrant and bustling, especially during the Torch Festival, which is a must-see event.

Scenic Area Qualifications:

• Provincial-level scenic area

Special Features:

• Leisure, sightseeing, vacation, resorts, mountains, rivers

Travel Tips:

• Best Time to Visit: May to August, when the rhododendrons are in full bloom.
• Shopping Recommendations:
  • Goods: Yun County white flower papaya, Yongbao winter radish, and Brown ethnic group瓦房帽 (tile-roof hats).
  • Food: Wangzi rice noodles, spicy dry meat strips, and ham papaya chicken.

Travel Guide for Visiting Dachaoshan with Children:

Pre-trip Preparation:

1. Choose Travel Dates: Spring and autumn are the best times to visit due to favorable weather and scenic beauty.
2. Book Transportation: Fly, take the train, or use long-distance buses to reach Lincang City, then transfer to local transportation to Dachaoshan.
3. Arrange Accommodation: Book family-friendly hotels or guesthouses in advance.
4. Prepare Supplies: Pack suitable clothing based on weather forecasts, including sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, and necessary medicines and first aid supplies.

Itinerary:

• Day 1: Arrive in Lincang City and settle into your accommodation. Explore nearby attractions like the Lincang City Museum to learn about local history and culture.
• Day 2: Head to Dachaoshan early in the morning. You can take a cable car to the top of the mountain to enjoy the scenic views. At the top, visit the observation deck for panoramic views and take photos.
• Day 3: Explore Dachaoshan’s natural scenery. Choose to hike or ride horses to see waterfalls, streams, and ancient trees. If your children are interested in local culture, visit nearby ethnic minority villages to experience different cultural traditions.

Important Notes:

• Safety First: The mountainous terrain can be challenging, so keep a close watch on children and avoid letting them wander alone.
• Food Arrangements: Mountain cuisine may differ from urban food. Bring some snacks that your children enjoy and that are easy to store.
• Environmental Awareness: Teach children to protect the environment by not littering and not damaging plants.
• Insect Protection: Use insect repellent on children and dress them in long sleeves to protect against insects.

Entertainment Activities:

• Participate in local ethnic festivals to let children experience different cultural atmospheres.
• For outdoor enthusiasts, arrange simple hikes or treasure hunts to add fun to the trip.

Returning Home:

• Final Check: On the night before departure, check all luggage to ensure nothing is left behind.
• Departure Planning: Schedule your check-out and return trip according to your transportation departure times.

Overall, with careful planning, consideration of safety and health, and attention to your children's interests, a trip to Dachaoshan can be a memorable and enjoyable experience for the whole family.