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Traditional sailing junk on the emerald waters of a Yangtze tributary gorge
6 DAYS · CHONGQING · YANGTZE RIVER · YICHANG

Yangtze: sailing the Three Gorges

Sail the Three Gorges aboard the Yangzi Explorer, from Chongqing to Yichang.

6 days
Chongqing to Yichang
5 nights
Two hotels plus the Yangzi Explorer
Three Gorges
Fuling, Wushan and the Three Gorges Dam
Minimum 2
Twin sharing basis
Introduction

A curated passage through the Three Gorges of the Yangtze.

Experience awe-inspiring natural beauty, iconic World Heritage sites and cultures enhanced over centuries as you sail China's legendary waterway. The Yangzi Explorer brings you as close as possible to the most captivating landscapes of central China, offering authentic charm and unrivalled comfort.

This carefully curated itinerary combines fascinating history-steeped cities with soul-uplifting rural stories along Asia's longest river. Commence your journey at the port of Chongqing, gateway to the 3,915-mile Yangtze, and meander through the Three Gorges, stretching 120 miles into the river's middle reaches.

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Route map showing Chongqing, Fuling, Wushan and Yichang along the Yangtze River
Highlights

Why advisors choose this journey.

  1. Cruise the Yangtze in style

    Sail down the famous Yangtze River in luxury and style on the Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer.

  2. The Beacon of Three Kingdoms

    VIP seat for the epic evening performance, set against the Three Gorges Harbour as its stage.

  3. The 816 Underground Project

    Visit the world's largest artificial military cave, hidden in the Wuling Mountains of Fuling.

  4. The Three Gorges Dam

    Marvel at one of the largest engineering projects in the world.

Day by day

Full Itinerary.

  1. ChongqingD1–2
  2. FulingD3
  3. WushanD4
  4. YichangD5–6

Airport to hotel

Upon arrival in Chongqing airport, you will be met and transferred to your accommodation.

Chongqing skyline above the Yangtze on arrival
Overnight
Chongqing
Meals
No meals included

Chongqing highlights tour

We will commence our journey from Chaotianmen. Meet the “local porters” at the wholesale market to experience the dynamic interplay between tradition and modernity. Next, we head to Dongshui Gate to unfold a captivating local story. Enter the Huguang Guild Hall to learn about the immigrant culture of Yuzhong. This is one of the ancient guild hall buildings in the central area of the country. The hall vividly narrates a crucial chapter in the history of human migration, the Sichuan migration movement in Huguang.

Thereafter, you will explore the charming streets and alleys of Ciqikou Ancient Town, adorned with Ming and Qing dynasty style buildings.

Huguang Guild Hall in Chongqing, an ornate historic building

Chongqing to Chaotianmen Pier and cruise embarkation

You will be transferred to Chaotianmen pier to prepare for ship embarkation. After you have settled into your cabin, join your fellow guests in the Explorer Bar for the Captain's Welcome Reception.

Overnight
Onboard
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner included

Tai Chi lesson

Start your morning with a traditional Tai Chi lesson, led by our Tai Chi Master, and work up an appetite for the buffet breakfast.

Fuling 816 Nuclear Engineering Site or the 816 Town

Hidden in the Wuling Mountains of Fuling, the 816 underground nuclear project is the world's largest known man-made military cave. Over 50 years ago, more than 60,000 constructors arrived at Jianzishan, an uninhabited location surrounded by mountains and forests, to commence work on a top-secret construction of a monumental scale.

Alternatively, you can choose to visit 816 Town, where the workers of Project 816 lived for 30 years while working on the Republic's number one top-secret project. The gate of 816 Town retains the appearance of the 1970s and 1980s. As you stroll through it, the green bricks, red walls and green windows seem to whisper their own stories. You will see the old factories, canteens, auditoriums and more than 40 historic buildings that serve as poignant reminders of that period in history.

Evening performance of The Beacon of Three Kingdoms

In the evening, enjoy VIP seats at an epic, large-scale live performance of The Beacon of Three Kingdoms, set against the backdrop of Three Gorges Harbour 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 14th century novel 'The Romance of the Three Kingdoms', the performance is part historical, part legend and part mythical. The dreamlike spectacle includes horseback battles, lighting and water effects, 3D holographic projections and a fireworks display.

The Beacon of Three Kingdoms performance staged at Three Gorges Harbour
Overnight
Onboard
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included

Sailing Qutang Gorge

Today, we sail across Qutang Gorge in the morning glow. Qutang Gorge, also known as Kui Gorge and Ba Gorge, is the first gorge of the Three Gorges on the Yangtze River. Admire the splendour of the green peaks and tranquillity of the river.

Champagne reception on a Wushan lookout above the Yangtze gorges

Full day tour of Wushan

Join the morning tour to explore the Wushan Goddess Sky Road. Embark on the Yangzi Explorer Trail, named after the Yangzi Explorer, and stroll among the cliffs at an altitude of about 1,000 meters, overlooking Goddess Peak and the Yangtze River. Going deeper, you will board the private lookout of the Yangzi Explorer, with the 12 peaks of Wushan right in front of you. A champagne reception awaits you here, exclusive to Yangzi Explorer passengers. Return to the ship for a buffet lunch on board.

In the afternoon, take a relaxing four-hour boat and sampan ride along the Daning River and its beautiful tributary, the Madu River. Enjoy the beauty of the Wushan Lesser Three Gorges, namely Emerald Gorge, Bawu Gorge and Longmen Gorge. Witness the towering peaks, verdant hillsides, scattered springs and waterfalls, the hanging coffins of the Ba people in mysterious caves, ancient villages and the beauty of the narrow mini gorge.

After the boat ride, return to the ship. Enjoy the passage of Wu Gorge, the second gorge of the Three Gorges, and then have dinner on board.

Overnight
Onboard
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included

Tai Chi lesson

Enjoy a tea or coffee this morning, and you can continue practising your Tai Chi.

Aerial view of the Three Gorges Dam above the Yangtze River

Three Gorges Dam tour

This morning, visit the Three Gorges Dam, the Great Steel Wall on the Yangtze River, and enjoy a lecture onboard from an expert to uncover the story behind this great project. Lunch will be hosted at the world-famous cave restaurant, Fang Weng Restaurant, in Xiling Gorge. Perched in the middle of a steep hill within a cave, the restaurant offers famous views of the Xiakou scenery, the Three Gorges and enchanting cave stalactites.

Port to hotel

In the afternoon, after you disembark, you will be transferred 56 km (25 miles) / 1 hour to your accommodation in Yichang.

Overnight
Yichang
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch included

Hotel to airport

After checking out from your hotel, you will be picked up by your private transfer to Yichang Airport for your flight back.

Cruise ships on the Yangtze River at Yichang, city skyline behind
Meals
Breakfast included
Hotel information

Where you will stay.

In Chongqing

One recommended stay

InterContinental Chongqing Raffles City

Chongqing · Deluxe Room, 39 sq m / 420 sq ft

An ultra-high-rise IHG hotel at Chaotianmen Square with river views.

We use the InterContinental for the Chongqing nights because its Chaotianmen Square position puts guests exactly where the cruise begins and ends, cutting transfer time on embarkation morning, and its high floors give sweeping views over the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers that define the city's skyline. As an IHG flagship it offers a more reliable, larger-scale standard than boutique options nearby, useful after a long flight in. We recommend a river-facing Deluxe Room for the best of that skyline.

Good to know
  • Housed within Moshe Safdie's 'horizontal skyscraper', suspended 250 meters in the air.
  • The 42nd-floor sky lobby overlooks the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers.
  • Direct elevator access to the Crystal sky deck and the Raffles City mall.
Visit hotel website →
InterContinental Chongqing Raffles City towers at dusk over the Yangtze
Deluxe room with city view at InterContinental Chongqing Raffles City
Lounge seating area at InterContinental Chongqing Raffles City

In Yangtze River

One recommended stay

Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer

Onboard · Deluxe Cabin, 31 sq m / 334 sq ft

The smallest and most exclusive cruise ship on the Three Gorges.

We choose the Yangzi Explorer over larger Yangtze cruise ships because its smaller size, 62 cabins against several hundred on the bigger vessels, means calmer public spaces and more attentive service throughout the Three Gorges. Every cabin has its own private balcony, so the scenery is never viewed only from a shared deck, and a-la-carte dining allows more flexibility than a set buffet schedule. We recommend a Deluxe Cabin on the upper deck for the quietest ride and best balcony outlook.

Good to know
  • The most exclusive vessel on the river, carrying just 124 guests.
  • The largest cabins on the Yangtze, each with a full-sized private balcony.
  • A la carte dining and a 1:1 staff-to-guest ratio for peerless service.
The Yangzi Explorer cruise ship sailing through the Three Gorges
Onboard restaurant of the Yangzi Explorer
Deluxe cabin aboard the Yangzi Explorer

In Yichang

One recommended stay

Yichang Crowne Plaza Hotel

Yichang · City View Room, 43 sq m / 463 sq ft

Overlooking the Yangtze River in Wanda Plaza.

We select the Crowne Plaza for the Yichang night because its Wanda Plaza location keeps guests close to restaurants and shops after disembarking, a welcome change of pace after days on board, while remaining a short drive from both the railway station and airport for an early departure. We recommend the City View Room facing the river for a last look at the Yangtze before flying on.

Good to know
  • Positioned at Wanda Plaza for easy access to Yichang's best local dining.
  • The closest international hotel to the Three Gorges Visitor Center for cruise links.
  • Request a River View room for panoramas of the Yangtze's final bend.
Visit hotel website →
Crowne Plaza Yichang towers lit at night above Wanda Plaza
Twin city view room at Crowne Plaza Yichang
Buffet restaurant at Crowne Plaza Yichang
Official quotation

Rates & what is included.

The indicative cost covers the full journey for the party size shown. The single supplement applies only when one guest occupies a room alone. All rates in CNY.

  • InterContinental Chongqing Raffles City · Chongqing · Deluxe Room, 39 sq m / 420 sq ft
  • Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer · Yangtze River · Deluxe Cabin, 31 sq m / 334 sq ft
  • Yichang Crowne Plaza Hotel · Yichang · City View Room, 43 sq m / 463 sq ft
Indicative cost per person
CNY 25,000
Single supplement
CNY 10,500

Based on 2 guests sharing twin rooms. Minimum 2 guests to operate. Single supplement added only for single-room occupancy. All rates in CNY.

What's included

  • Accommodation on twin sharing basis in hotel as stated on bed & breakfast basis
  • All meals served onboard
  • Transportation as mentioned in the itinerary: shuttle from Chongqing airport/train station to Chaotianmen Wharf on embarkation day, and shuttle from Fangweng Restaurant to Yichang Airport or East Railway Station on disembarkation day
  • Tour guide, admissions for all scenic spots and activities as mentioned in the itinerary
  • Accident travel insurance

What's not included

  • International and domestic airfare
  • Meals not included in the itinerary
  • Beverages in restaurants where meals are included
  • Gratuities
  • Personal expenses, e.g. telephone bill & laundry
  • Visa
  • Travel insurance
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