4D3N Yangtze River Cruise:Chongqing to Yichang by Yangzi Explorer

This afternoon, board Yangzi Explorer for your cruise downstream to Yichang. You will be met at Chongqing Chaotianmen pier and transferred to the boat. After you’ve settled into your cabin you can join your fellow guests in the Explorer Bar for the Captain’s Welcome Reception. The large windows allow you to enjoy the night-time cityscape of Chongqing. 16:00 - 20:30 Board at Chaotianmen Port 19:00 - 21:00 Buffet dinner on board 21:15 Safety Briefing in the Explorer Bar 21:30 Captain’s Welcome Reception in the Explorer Bar

Start your morning with a traditional Tai Chi lesson, led by our Tai Chi Master and work up an appetite for the buffet breakfast. This morning, visit the Fuling 816 nuclear engineering site. Hidden in the Wuling Mountains of Fuling, the 816 Underground Nuclear Project is the world’s largest known man-made military cave. 58 years ago, more than 60,000 constructors, came to Jianzishan, an uninhabited place among mountains and forest, to start work on a top-secret construction of a monumental scale. The work continued for 17 years and was nearly completed when the government decided to suspend it, before any nuclear material could be produced. Now as the secrets of military caves are revealed, you will be able to look at the true face of 816 project hidden for almost 60 years.

The museum will take you some 148 feet under water to admire the river bed and the intricate ancient rock carvings left there since AD 763 in Tang Dynasty. Learn about the Yangtze river, it’s flora and fauna, while enjoying this fascinating museum. Your next stop will be the local market, where you will gain insight into the region’s rich culinary culture. This is a daily market where farmers meet to buy and sell a variety of goods, ranging from fruit and vegetables to fish and meat, and of course a whole array of pickles - which Fuling is famous for. Back to ship for a la cart lunch and afternoon at leisure.

The performance will be a cultural feast with the Three Gorges Harbor as the stage, the culture of The Three Kingdoms as the theme, and the spirit of loyalty and righteousness as the soul. Based on the famous 14thcentury novel ‘The Romance of the Three Kingdoms’, the story is part historical, part legend, and part mythical. The dreamlike performance includes horseback battles, lighting and water effects, 3D holographic projects and fireworks.

Today, we sail across Qutang Gorges in the morning glow. Qutang Gorge, also known as Kui Gorges and Ba Gorge, is the first gorge of the Three Gorges of Yangtze River. Admire the splendor of the green peaks and tranquility of the river on the Explorer Deck. After breakfast, join the morning tour to explore the Wushan Goddess Sky Road. Embark on the Yangzi Explorer Trail, named after Yangzi Explorer, stroll among the cliffs at an altitude of about 1,000 meters, and overlook Goddess Peak and the Yangtze River. Going deeper, you will board the private lookout of Yangzi Explorer. The 12 peaks of Wushan will be right in front of you. A champagne reception awaits you here, exclusive to Yangzi Explorer passengers. Alternatively, you can take a 1.5 hour light hiking in Wu Gorge through the mountain villages. We will hike through traditional villages in the hinterland of the Gorge. Learn about the geography, local products, flora and fauna of Wushan with your local guide.

Return to ship for a buffet lunch on board. Right after lunch, enjoy passing of Wu Gorge, the second gorge of the Three Gorges. Wu Gorge is the most beautiful gorge among the Three Gorges. Characterized by majestic peaks crowned by lush forests, Wu Gorge is said to be celestial. Legend has it that Yao Ji loved this area so much that she and her 12 attendants were transformed into the graceful peaks you can see here along the river. Later today, experience a unique and tranquil ride along the Shennong Stream on a pea-shaped sampan - a traditional longboat used to rowed by Tujia boatman. As we gently float through this stunning riverine gorge flanked by verdant forest, you’ll see evidence of early settlements in the form of hanging coffins stowed high within the limestone cliffs.

This morning, visit the Three Gorges Dam, the Great Steel Wall on the Yangtze River. Spanning 2,335 meters in length and 181 meters in height, the dam is the largest and most expensive engineering project in the world. While the dam’s 32 generators produce enough clean energy to reduce China’s reliance on coal, the project has also caused much controversy. During construction, 13 cities, 140 towns, 1,352 villages, over 600 industrial factories and more than 1,200 archaeological projects have been submerged and 1.2 million people resettled. Our exclusive itinerary will include a visit to the River Closure Park & Three Gorges Project Museum, which was newly open to public in August 2022. Optional: Three Gorges Ship Lift Experience on VIP Deck: CNY380pp (minimum 20 guests required). Lunch will be held at Juweng Restaurant for Yichang local delicacies. After lunch, you will be transferred to Yichang Airport or Yichang East Railway Station.