What to Pack for a Yangtze River Cruise

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 information
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Casual clothes suitable for the season
• Light jacket or sweater
• Compact umbrella or light rain jacket
• Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat in warmer months
• Small backpack or day bag
• Personal medication
• Phone, charger and power bank
• Universal travel adapter
• Personal toiletries you prefer to use
• A small amount of RMB cash

What Clothes Should You Bring?

What you pack depends mainly on the time of year.

March to May: Spring can be mild but changeable. Bring long trousers, T-shirts or light tops, a sweater and a light jacket. An umbrella or rain jacket is useful.

June to August: Summers are hot and humid, particularly at Yangtze area. Pack lightweight, breathable clothing, along with sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat. Rain protection is also useful during the summer months.

September to November: September can still be quite warm, while October and November become cooler. Bring layers and a jacket, especially for later autumn departures.

December to February: There are fewer Yangtze cruises during winter. Bring a warm coat, sweaters and other warm layers. The damp weather along the river can make it feel colder.

We recommend checking the weather in both Chongqing and Yichang a few days before departure, especially if you are traveling in spring or autumn.

Bring Good Walking Shoes

This is one of the most important things to pack for a Yangtze cruise.

Although your main luggage stays onboard, you will normally go ashore every day. Some excursion sites involve steps, slopes and uneven paths, so bring comfortable walking shoes or sneakers that you have already worn.

A second pair of casual shoes or sandals can be useful onboard.

Bring a small day bag for shore excursions as well. You can use it for water, your phone or camera, sunscreen, an umbrella, a power bank and any medication you need during the day.

Do You Need Formal Clothes?

No. The 4–5-star Yangtze cruises we normally arrange have a casual dress style.

Normal travel clothes are suitable during the day and for most evenings. Some ships hold a captain’s welcome reception or farewell dinner, and you may want to dress a little more smartly for these occasions. Formal evening wear is not necessary.

What Is Already Provided in Your Cabin?

On the 4–5-star ships commonly used by international travelers, cabins normally provide basic toiletries, towels, a hairdryer, bottled water and a kettle or hot-water facilities. Exact amenities vary by ship.

If you have particular shampoo, skincare or other personal products you prefer, bring your own.

You can read more about cabins, meals and facilities in our Yangtze Cruise Onboard Experience guide.

Medication and Electronics

Bring enough of your regular medication for your trip and keep important medication with you during travel and shore excursions.

The Yangtze is generally calm compared with open-water cruising. If you are sensitive to motion, you may still want to bring the medication you normally use when traveling.

China uses 220V electricity. Electrical outlets and USB connections vary between ships, so a universal travel adapter is useful. A power bank can also be handy during longer shore excursions.

Almost all modern 4–5-star Yangtze cruise ships provide free Wi-Fi, although the connection can become slower through mountainous sections of the Three Gorges. Google, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram and some other international services are restricted in mainland China, so travelers who need access to them should arrange a suitable VPN or other connection solution before arriving in China. It is also a good idea to download important documents and information before boarding.

Passport and Money

Keep your passport / ID easy to reach on embarkation day. Your passport is required for cruise check-in, so keep it with you when you arrive at the port.

You don’t need to carry a large amount of cash onboard, but we recommend having some RMB for small purchases during shore excursions. Alipay and WeChat Pay are widely used in China including the Yangtze Cruise travel.

Some cruise lines also offer currency exchange services onboard. Victoria Cruises, for example, provides currency exchange service.

Don’t Overpack

If the Yangtze cruise is one part of a longer China trip, pack with your whole itinerary in mind. You won’t need a separate wardrobe just for the cruise.

For a classic 4–5 day cruise, focus on clothes suitable for the season, good walking shoes, rain or sun protection and a small bag for shore excursions. That will cover most of what you need.