Is the ticket for the Three Gorges Dam free

I'm not sure if the tickets for the Three Gorges Dam are free, but I took a Three Gorges cruise to visit the dam. The dam is indeed magnificent, and I have to exclaim. When we arrived at the Three Gorges Dam Scenic Area in Yichang, we disembarked to visit the scenic area. The cost of the scenic area is included in the ticket, so there are no additional payment fees.

【Tanziling Observation Deck of Three Gorges Dam in Yichang, Hubei, China】

【The Three Gorges Dam in Yichang, Hubei, China】

Is the ticket for the Three Gorges Dam free? I remember that the scenic area is a free attraction, but there will be sightseeing buses within the area, which is a self funded project that can be reasonably selected according to one's own needs. The scenic area is quite large, and a half day trip is still necessary. The management of the scenic area is very strict, and entering the scenic area will pass through security checks. All personal belongings need to pass through security checks.

The ticket to the Three Gorges Dam is free, and it is necessary to visit the dam scenic area. However, I think it is also necessary to take a ship lift, mainly to experience how the cruise ship passes through the Three Gorges Dam. The water level difference between the upstream and downstream is still tens or hundreds of meters.