The Dadu River marks the transition area between traditional
Tibet to the west and
historic China to the east. For this reason, it has long been considered a frontier region and has hosted many conflicts. For
Tibetans, the Dadu is part of the historical province of
Kham. In the Chinese tradition, the Dadu forms the westernmost part of
Sichuanese culture.
Kangding, a historical trading post between Tibet and
China, is located in the Dadu River basin. Upper Dadu River Basin traditionally consists of 18 rGyalrong Principalities, whose language,
rGyalrongic, is a distinct branch in the
Tibeto-Burman language family. Completed in 803 CE, the
Leshan Giant Buddha is a large statue carved into the rock at the confluence of the Dadu and Min Rivers. The Buddha is a popular tourist attraction today. The
Kangding Louding earthquake of 1786 caused a
landslide dam on the Dadu. Nine days later, on June 10, 1786, the dam broke and the resulting flood extended downstream and killed 100,000 people. It is the second-deadliest landslide disaster on record. In the 20th century CE, the Dadu became famous for its
Luding Bridge, a historically important bridge
crossed by the
Chinese Red Army while retreating from the
Kuomintang troops during the
Long March.
Dams The Dadu is being heavily developed, primarily for
hydroelectric power. As of March 2014, a total of 26 dams are completed, under construction or planned for the river. Those dams are listed below from downstream to upstream. •
Angu Dam – Under construction, 320 MW •
Fahuasi Dam – Planned, 240 MW •
Shawan Dam – Under construction, 480 MW •
Tongjiezi Dam – Completed, 600 MW •
Gongzui Dam – Completed, 770 MW •
Shaping Dam – Programmed, 630 MW •
Zhentouba Dam – Programmed, 950 MW •
Shenxigou Dam – Under construction, 660 MW •
Pubugou Dam – Completed, 3,600 MW •
Laoyingyan Dam – Programmed, 640 MW •
Longtoushi Dam – Completed, 700 MW •
Dagangshan Dam – Under construction, 2,600 MW •
Yingliangbao Dam – Programmed, 1,200 MW •
Luding Dam – Completed, 920 MW •
Huangjinping Dam – Under construction, 850 MW •
Changheba Dam – Under construction, 2,600 MW •
Houziyan Dam – Under construction, 1,700 MW •
Danba Dam – Programmed, 1,300 MW •
Badi Dam – Programmed, 800 MW •
Anning Dam – Programmed, 380 MW •
Jinchuan Dam – Programmed, 860 MW •
Shuangjiangkou Dam – Under construction, 2,000 MW •
Busigou Dam – Planned, 360 MW •
Dawei Dam – Planned, 270 MW •
Bala Dam – Planned, 740 MW •
Xiaerxia Dam – Planned, 540 MW ==In popular culture==