The ancient city of Gongtan, close to the million-plus city of Chongqing in southwest China, will soon forever disappear under the Wujiang River. Why? The river will be dammed for a hydroelectric project.
Going back 1,700 years, Gongtan is well-known for its old homes on stilts that sit along mountain slopes and its ancient roadways paved with stone slabs. When this ancient city is submerged, another part of Chinese history and culture will disappear.
For centuries Gongtan was ideally situated between Sichuan, Hunan and Guizhou provinces, making the city a hub of trade along the Wujiang River.
Merchants and river men from nearby provinces met to trade goods from the local areas and receive merchandise from other locales. River traffic was lively and commerce blossomed.
Since the advent of modern sea, land and air transport, the city’s wealth and importance diminished. Fortunately, the unique natural and man-made setting remained. However, when the hydroelectric plant starts to function, this old city—like a throne above the river—will forever give way to man-made flooding.
