Yunyang is a county bearing the brunt of the economical, territorial, social and environmental disruptions after the rise of the water level in the Three Gorges Dam Reservoir. Several research trips in the area undertaken since 2004 allow me to study, from an anthropological point of view, social perceptions of the Dam and its topographical, ecological, economical and social consequences. I have examined different modalities of interpretation and resilience developed both by the local population and the local government trying to understand and deal with this profound disruption. After a concise presentation of my research background and aims, this talk will focus on the analysis of local cultural policy measures related to the notion of “yimin”, such as the invention of the concept of the “Spirit of the Three Gorges Migration” (三峽移民精神), or the creation of parks, festivals and museums dedicated to the “Culture of the Three Gorges Migration” (三峽移民文化). The last part of the talk will be dedicated to the processes that I plan to examine further. First, a territorial reconfiguration and reconstruction through the examination of legends, toponyms and heritage protection processes. Second, forms of interaction between exhibits and visitors in museums dedicated to the Three Gorges Migration in Chongqing Municipality.