Yangtze River Cruise Tours

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…

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 /…

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…

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 →…

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….

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…