5-Day Yangtze River Luxury Cruise from Yichang to Chongqing

Arrive in Yichang and begin your Yangtze River cruise journey. Complimentary scheduled transfer service is available for guests arriving at Yichang Airport, Yichang East Railway Station, or Yichang North Railway Station between 08:00 and 20:00. Guests arriving between 08:00 and 15:00 will be transferred to the Three Gorges Tourist Center. Those arriving between 15:00 and 20:00 will be transferred directly to Zigui Port (Maoping Port) for embarkation. Please note that airport transfer service closes one hour earlier than the stated arrival cut-off time. Guests arriving before 16:00 may join a complimentary sightseeing excursion through the Gezhou Dam Ship Lock and the eastern section of Xiling Gorge, subject to arrival time and cruise arrangements. Guests arriving after 16:00 will proceed directly to embarkation. Important Note: For a smoother embarkation experience, we recommend booking trains arriving before 14:30 and flights arriving before 14:00.

In the evening, settle into your cabin and attend the Cruise Safety Briefing followed by a Welcome Dinner onboard. As the vessel begins its upstream journey, the silhouettes of the surrounding mountains introduce the scale and atmosphere of the Yangtze.

This morning, you will experience the Three Gorges Dam Ship Elevator, the world’s largest and most powerful vertical ship elevator. Using Archimedes’ principle of buoyancy, it offers a unique elevated passage across the dam. Next, you will explore the Three Gorges Dam, a landmark project that has reshaped navigation and hydropower development along the Yangtze River. The visit provides insight into the dam’s engineering design and regional impact.

After rejoining the ship, enjoy lunch onboard as the vessel continues upstream. In the afternoon, sail through the western section of Xiling Gorge, where steep cliffs and layered rock formations create some of the most dramatic scenery along the Yangtze. Later, attend the Captain’s Welcome Reception before dinner onboard.

In the evening, arrive in Badong for a shore excursion to Mistvale Haven (Wuyuan Cave). During certain seasons, this excursion may be replaced by Shennv Stream, depending on water level and navigation conditions. Important Note: Apr-Oct: Visit Wuyuan Cave. Nov-Mar next year: Visit Wushan Shennv Stream in the following morning.

After breakfast, enjoy a relaxing morning onboard with scenic cruising and onboard activities as the ship enters Wu Gorge, known for its misty peaks, steep cliffs, and elegant river scenery.

Around midday, lunch is served onboard before the vessel continues into Qutang Gorge, the shortest and most dramatic of the Three Gorges, celebrated for its towering rock walls and narrow river passage.

In the afternoon, arrive in Fengjie and choose one of the following included shore excursions: Option A: White Emperor City Visit a historic riverside site closely associated with classical Chinese poetry and the cultural heritage of the Yangtze. Option B: Three Gorges Summit Take in panoramic views over Qutang Gorge and the surrounding mountains from one of the region’s most impressive viewpoints. Return to the ship in the evening for dinner, followed by onboard entertainment, including a crew performance. Later in the evening, guests may also enjoy movie time on the observation deck.

After breakfast, enjoy a relaxed morning onboard with leisure time and onboard activities as the cruise continues toward Fuling. In the afternoon, choose one of the following included excursions in Fuling: Option A: White Crane Ridge Underwater Museum & Fuling Zhacai History Memory Hall Explore a remarkable underwater museum preserving ancient hydrological inscriptions carved into the river rock. Then learn about Fuling’s century-old pickled vegetable heritage. Option B: 816 Underground Project Visit a vast underground complex constructed in the 1960s, offering insight into a unique chapter of modern Chinese history.

If docking arrangements are adjusted to Fengdu Port due to water level, hydrological conditions, or navigation restrictions, the excursion will be replaced with a visit to Fengdu Ghost City. After the afternoon excursion, attend the disembarkation briefing for the following day’s arrival arrangements. Enjoy the Captain’s Farewell Dinner, followed by evening entertainment and time to relax before arriving in Chongqing.

After breakfast and check-out, arrive in Chongqing and conclude your Yangtze River cruise. Complimentary transfer service is available after disembarkation to Chongqing Airport and Chongqing East, North, West, and Shapingba Railway Stations for your onward journey. Important Notes: Recommended onward departure: trains after 11:00 and flights after 13:00.