China has successfully overcome one of the countless challenges of constructing the world’s largest dam by creating a colossal ship elevator that allows vessels to navigate through mountains.

When building a titanic structure like the Three Gorges Dam in China, completed in 2006, the challenges extended far beyond simply containing water. One of the biggest issues was the disruption of river traffic—how could massive ships, some as tall as skyscrapers, continue their journey when a concrete wall over a hundred meters high blocked their path?

To solve this dilemma, Chinese engineers designed one of the most impressive structures in modern history: a gravity-defying ship elevator that redefines river navigation. Completed in 2016, this ship lift was one of the final components of the Three Gorges Dam project, a vital addition that further enhanced the dam’s role in flood control, hydroelectric power generation, and improved navigation along the Yangtze River.

A Ship Elevator That Defies Gravity

Unlike traditional locks, which require multiple chambers and hours of operation, the ship lift at the Three Gorges Dam allows vessels of up to 3,000 tons to be raised or lowered 113 meters in just 40 minutes.

This system has revolutionized transportation efficiency on the Yangtze River, cutting transit time by over 75% compared to the five-stage lock system, which can take between three and four hours to complete the process.

A Marvel of Engineering

The operation of this ship lift is an extraordinary feat of engineering. The lifting chamber, resembling a massive floating bathtub, measures 120 meters in length, 18 meters in width, and 3.5 meters in depth. Vessels enter this platform, which is then elevated or lowered using a system of 256 steel cables connected to 128 double-rope pulleys.

These cables are counterbalanced with weights, significantly reducing the mechanical effort required to move the structure. The system’s stability is ensured by four reinforced concrete towers, each standing 169 meters tall, which serve as structural supports. Inside these towers, advanced control mechanisms enable smooth and secure movement, minimizing vibrations and ensuring precise elevation.

This level of sophistication has made the ship lift a global benchmark for innovation and energy efficiency. Since its inauguration in 2016, the lift has transported over 25,800 vessels and 15.49 million tons of cargo, reducing logistics costs by 25%.

Beyond Efficiency: Economic and Safety Benefits

Beyond its economic impact, the lift has significantly improved navigation safety in a historically challenging section of the Yangtze, where strong currents and abrupt elevation changes once posed serious risks. However, its influence extends beyond functionality.

The structure has also become a premier tourist attraction, offering visitors the unique experience of “sailing through the air.” Specialized cruises allow spectators to observe the process in detail, providing an exceptional perspective on this modern engineering masterpiece.

A Technology Expanding Beyond the Three Gorges Dam

While the Three Gorges Dam ship lift is the most well-known of its kind, China has taken this technology to new heights with the Goupitan ship lift, the world’s largest in terms of vertical elevation.

Capable of lifting vessels 199 meters—higher than many skyscrapers—its design includes a network of elevated aqueducts and tunnels connecting its three lifts, extending over 2.3 kilometers. However, similar structures can also be found beyond China.

Notable examples include the ship lift at the Krasnoyarsk Dam in Russia, the Strépy-Thieu lift in Belgium, and the Falkirk Wheel in Scotland, the world’s only rotating boat lift. Each of these remarkable structures stands as a testament to humanity’s incredible ability to adapt waterways to challenging terrain.

The development of ship lifts has redefined river transport, allowing previously divided waterways to become seamless trade routes and traveler connections once more. In China, these structures have boosted the Yangtze’s economy, facilitating the movement of goods and improving the safety of vessels navigating the region.

Far from being mere technical curiosities, the Three Gorges Dam ship lift and its global counterparts prove how engineering can overcome nature’s limitations. Today, ships don’t just sail across rivers—they can also “climb mountains.”