This is a picture of the Sanmenxia damsite before the dam was built.


The width of the Yellow River at Sanmenxia (Three-gate Gorge) is less than 400 m. Two islands divided the river into three rapid streams, forming "three gates," namely, from right to left, the gates of Ghost, God, and Man (鬼门 神门 人门). Three more islands stood on the river about 400 m downstream called Zhongliudizhu (中流砥柱), Zhanggongdao (张公岛) and Shuzhuangtai (梳妆台). The dam is located between the two rows of natural islands. The stone island Zhongliudizhu, meaning "standing steadfast in midstream," still stands erect in the river. (Source: Series of Picture Albums of the Yellow River, China Environmental Science Press, 1991)

An ancient town Shaanxian (陕县) is located nearby. It marked the territorial boundary between the lands of Lord Zhou (周公) and Lord Zhao (召公) around 3000 years ago. The provincial name Shaanxi refers to an area west of Shaanxian.