A Yangtze River cruise is a relaxing way to experience the Three Gorges while traveling through central China. Choose the classic 4–5 day cruise between Chongqing and Yichang, or explore farther along the river on an 11–12 day journey between Chongqing and Shanghai.
Make the Yangtze cruise the focus of your trip, or include it in a wider China journey. Popular combinations connect the Yangtze with Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu, Zhangjiajie and Shanghai, combining China’s classic highlights with a slower-paced journey along the river.
Not sure which cruise to choose? Tell us your travel dates and preferences, and we’ll recommend suitable Yangtze cruises and help plan your China itinerary around your cruise.
Choose the classic 4–5 day Three Gorges cruise between Chongqing and Yichang, or an 11–12 day Yangtze cruise between Chongqing and Shanghai.
We can help you compare ships, sailing dates and cabin options from Century Cruises, Victoria Cruises, Yangtze Gold Cruises and Yangzi Explorer.
Cruise downstream from Chongqing to Yichang on a classic 4-day / 3-night Yangtze River journey through the spectacular Three Gorges. Enjoy river scenery, onboard activities and selected shore excursions before visiting the Three Gorges Dam near Yichang.
Cruise upstream from Yichang to Chongqing over 5 days, visiting the Three Gorges Dam before sailing through the spectacular Three Gorges and enjoying shore excursions along the way.
Take an 11-day Yangtze River cruise from Chongqing to Shanghai aboard Century Legend, traveling beyond the Three Gorges along the middle and lower Yangtze, with included shore excursions along the way
12-day Yangtze River cruise from Shanghai to Chongqing aboard Century Legend, traveling through historic river cities and the Three Gorges, with shore excursions along the way.
Combine the Yangtze with Chongqing, Sichuan & Zhangjiajie: Extend your Yangtze journey with Chongqing and Wulong, Chengdu and Jiuzhaigou, or Zhangjiajie for a trip combining the cruise with pandas, mountain scenery and regional culture.
This 7-day Chongqing Yangtze River Cruise Tour with Wulong Karst combines city exploration, UNESCO landscapes, and a relaxing river voyage. Visit Chongqing’s highlights, marvel at Wulong Karst Park, and cruise through the majestic Three Gorges of Yangtze River to Yichang.
Experience an 8-day Chongqing Yangtze Cruise and Zhangjiajie Tour, combining a classic Three Gorges cruise from Chongqing to Yichang with Zhangjiajie’s top sites, including Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Mountain, the Glass Bridge, and Tianmen Mountain.
Visit Chengdu’s panda base, tour Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong’s UNESCO landscapes, then sail a Yangtze River cruise through the Three Gorges to Yichang. A well-paced Chengdu, Jiuzhaigou and Yangtze itinerary with nature, culture, and guided excursions.
Explore Sichuan’s natural wonders and cruise the Yangtze River. Visit Chengdu pandas, Jiuzhaigou’s turquoise lakes, Mount Emei’s Golden Summit, Dazu Rock Carvings, Chongqing, and sail through the dramatic Three Gorges.
Classic China Highlights with a Relaxing Yangtze Journey, make the Yangtze part of a longer private China trip. For first-time travelers, a classic route can combine Beijing, Xi’an, a Yangtze River cruise and Shanghai, while longer journeys can add Chengdu, Guilin, Zhangjiajie, Tibet or the Silk Road.
Experience China’s culture and scenery on this 10-day Beijing, Yangtze River Cruise & Shanghai Tour. Visit Beijing’s heritage sites, sail the Three Gorges from Chongqing to Yichang, and finish with Shanghai’s iconic highlights.
Experience the best of China on this 2-week China highlights tour with Yangtze cruise and pandas visit. Explore Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu, Chongqing, and Shanghai, see world-famous landmarks, meet giant pandas, and enjoy a relaxing cruise through the scenic Three Gorges.
This 16-day China Tibet Tour with Yangtze River Cruise blends ancient history, highland culture, and natural beauty. Explore Beijing, Xi’an, Lhasa before cruising the Yangtze River through the dramatic Three Gorges to vibrant Shanghai.
Explore China’s essential highlights on this 16-day journey through Beijing, Xi’an, Guilin, Yangshuo, Chongqing, Yichang, Shanghai, and Suzhou. Enjoy the Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors, Li River cruise, Longji Rice Terraces, and a relaxing Yangtze River Cruise through the Three Gorges.
Our Chengdu-based team has been planning private China and Tibet trips since 2007, with years of experience arranging journeys across China.
WindhorseTour has received TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice recognition, backed by 300+ traveler reviews from guests who have traveled with us.
Tell us your dates, budget and preferences, and we’ll help you choose a suitable Yangtze cruise for your trip.
We can coordinate your Yangtze cruise with private guides, hotels, transfers and other destinations, so your entire China journey works together.
The classic Three Gorges cruise takes 4 days / 3 nights downstream from Chongqing to Yichang or 5 days / 4 nights upstream from Yichang to Chongqing. Longer cruises between Chongqing and Shanghai take 11–12 days.
A classic 4–5 day Yangtze River cruise typically costs around USD 400–800 per person, with many 4–5 star cruise options within this range. Premium cruises such as Yangzi Explorer can start around USD 1,600+ per person, while longer 11–12 day cruises between Chongqing and Shanghai cost significantly more. Prices vary by ship, cabin type and sailing date.
Choose Chongqing to Yichang if you prefer the shorter 4-day downstream journey. Choose Yichang to Chongqing if the 5-day upstream route fits your China itinerary better or you prefer an additional night onboard.
Popular choices include Century Cruises and Victoria Cruises, with a range of ships and price levels, while Yangzi Explorer is a premium option for travelers looking for a more luxurious experience. Other cruise lines offer additional choices for different budgets and travel styles. The best option also depends on your sailing date, so tell us your dates and preferences and we’ll help you choose a suitable cruise.
Cruise fares generally include your cabin, onboard meals, activities and selected shore excursions. Optional excursions, upgrades and other extras vary by ship and sailing, so we confirm the exact inclusions for your selected cruise before booking.
The best seasons are spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October), when the weather is mild and visibility along the river is best. Summer offers lush scenery but can be hot and humid, while winter cruises are less crowded.
A Yangtze River cruise is a relaxing way to see the Three Gorges and add a few slower-paced days to a China trip. Planning one mainly comes down to a few decisions: which route to take, when to go, and which ship and cabin suit your dates and budget. For most travelers, the classic route is between Chongqing and Yichang: 4 days / 3 nights downstream from Chongqing, or 5 days / 4 nights upstream from Yichang. Longer 11–12 day cruises between Chongqing and Shanghai are also available on selected dates. Table of ContentsYangtze River Cruise at a GlanceWhich Yangtze…
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The main difference between an upstream and downstream Yangtze River cruise is time and pace. The downstream cruise from Chongqing to Yichang takes 4 days / 3 nights, while the upstream cruise from Yichang to Chongqing takes 5 days / 4 nights. Both directions cruise through the Three Gorges, visit the Three Gorges Dam, and include scenic and cultural shore excursions. Choose downstream if you prefer a shorter cruise; choose upstream if you want an extra day on the river and a more relaxed pace. Upstream vs Downstream Yangtze Cruise at a Glance CompareDownstreamUpstreamRouteChongqing → YichangYichang → ChongqingDuration4 days /…
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A classic 4–5 day Yangtze River cruise between Chongqing and Yichang typically costs around USD 400–800 per person for a standard cabin. At the higher end, Yangzi Explorer costs around USD 1,600–1,900 per person, while longer 11–12 day cruises between Chongqing and Shanghai can cost around USD 2,800–3,100 per person. These prices provide a useful guide for budgeting. The actual cost depends mainly on the ship, cabin category, season and sailing date. Table of Contents Yangtze River Cruise Prices at a Glance Why Can One Yangtze Cruise Cost $400 and Another $800? What Is Included in the Cruise Fare? How…
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For most international travelers, Century Cruises and Victoria Cruises are the best places to start when choosing a Yangtze River cruise. Both operate established Three Gorges cruises between Chongqing and Yichang, with a good choice of ships and cabin categories. But there isn’t one Yangtze cruise that is best for everyone. Your travel dates and direction determine which ships are available. From there, the decision usually comes down to the specific ship, cabin and price — unless you already have a particular cruise in mind. A practical way to choose is: Date → direction → available ships → cabin →…
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A Yangtze River cruise combines time onboard with sightseeing along the river. On the classic Chongqing–Yichang route, most days include shore excursions, scenic cruising along Yangtze including the Three Gorges, meals onboard and time to relax, with cultural activities or entertainment offered at certain times. This guide focuses on the 4–5-star Yangtze cruise ships commonly chosen by international travelers. There are cheaper and more basic cruises operating on the Yangtze, but we do not normally recommend these to our international travelers, as accommodation, facilities and service standards can be quite different. There are also noticeable differences within the 4–5-star category….
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You don’t need to pack much specifically for a Yangtze River cruise. The classic Chongqing–Yichang cruise lasts only 4–5 days, and the 4–5-star ships we normally arrange provide the basic cabin amenities you would expect. The main thing to prepare for is the shore excursions. You will be getting on and off the ship, walking through scenic areas and sometimes taking a smaller boat into one of the Yangtze tributaries. Bring comfortable walking shoes, clothes suitable for the season and a small day bag for excursions. Yangtze Cruise Packing List For most travelers, we suggest bringing: Passport and cruise booking…
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