The rising water level is but one facet of the massive changes brought about by the Three Gorges Dam over the last five years. Old cities and towns, untouched for centuries, have given way to brightly painted and taller modern surroundings complete with fast food restaurants and retail chains for international sporting brands like Adidas and Nike. Social habits and lifestyles are changing as well as residents seek out new outlets for leisure and entertainment. Even the fields near the dam, which had for years been scarred by heavy construction, have been turned into picturesque parks where lovers gather in the evenings. Taipingxi Nov 07 2008.
