三峡升船机具有提升重量大、升程高、上下游通航水位变幅大、水位变率快等特点，是目前世界上规模和技术难度最大的升船机。经过方案比选，三峡升船机最终确定采用齿轮齿条爬升式，其设备构造复杂，制造、安装及土建结构施工精度要求很高，并首次采用中德联合设计方式。概要介绍了三峡工程齿轮齿条爬升式升船机的总体布置、以及塔柱结构、重要设备的设计方案与关键技术。

The Three Gorges ship lift is the largest and the most difficult one in the world with the characteristics of large lifting weight, high lift range, big fluctuation of water stage between upper and lower reaches and quick variation of navigable water level. After scheme comparison, the gear rack climbing type ship lift is selected, which is characterized by complicated structure of facilities and high precision requirements of manufacture, installation and construction. Meanwhile the Sino German co design method is first adopted. The general layout of gear rack climbing type ship lift, as well as the design schemes and key techniques of tower structure and important equipment are briefly introduced.