8 Days Chongqing-Yichang-Chongqing Yangzi Explorer Cruise

As twilight bathes Chongqing’s skyline in gold, step aboard the Yangzi Explorer at Chaotianmen Port. Settle into your cabin, then gather for a welcome buffet dinner under soft ambient lights. A safety briefing and the Captain’s Reception set the tone for your journey, clinking glasses as the city’s neon glow fades into the river’s embrace.

Awaken to the aroma of fresh coffee and the fluid motions of Tai Chi on the deck. Choose to delve into the 816 Project, a labyrinthine Cold War relic carved into mountains, or visit the White Crane Ridge Underwater Museum, where Tang Dynasty rock carvings lie beneath the Yangtze. As dusk falls, opt for the "War Fire of Three Kingdoms" Show—a fiery spectacle of horseback battles and holograms—or wander Zhongzhou Old Alley, where Ming-era bricks whisper stories of resilience.

At dawn, the ship glides into Qutang Gorge, its cliffs narrowing like a dragon’s jaws. Disembark in Wushan to hike the Shennv Sky Road, a cliffside trail offering eagle-eye views of the Yangtze, or drift through the Lesser Three Gorges on a sampan, where waterfalls cascade into jade waters. By night, the ship navigates the Three Gorges Ship Lift, its mechanical symphony lifting you beneath a star-studded sky.

Stand before the Three Gorges Dam, its concrete slopes a testament to human ambition, then explore the Interception Memorial Park and museum detailing its creation. Alternatively, visit Qu Yuan Temple, where pavilions honor the poet who inspired Dragon Boat Festival traditions. In the afternoon, wander SanYou Cave, a limestone marvel adorned with centuries-old inscriptions.

SipYulu tea brewed from Badong’s pristine springs, accompanied by Tujia delicacies, or explore the Badong Museum to uncover the heritage of the Tujia and Miao peoples. As evening falls, lose yourself in "A Journey through a Thousand Years in Badong" a performance weaving folklore with song, or toast to the day under the glow of the ship’s lanterns.

Choose to ascend White Emperor City, its temples clinging to cliffs above the roaring Yangtze, or hike the Poetic Trail of Qutang Gorge, where Tang Dynasty verses seem etched into the air. Adventurers may opt for the Three Gorges Summit, a vantage point where the river’s majesty unfolds like a living scroll.

Explore Shibaozhai Pagoda, a 12-story wooden marvel perched on a riverside hill, or stroll Xituo Ancient Town, a salt-trade relic frozen in time. Alternatively, visit Huanghua Island, where Song Dynasty ruins whisper of ancient defenses. As twilight descends, a crew cabaret blends dance and tradition, celebrating the river’s spirit.

Savor a final breakfast as the ship returns to Chongqing. Disembark with memories of misty gorges, roaring dams, and the Yangtze’s timeless song—or extend your journey with optional tours to Dazu’s rock carvings or the serene Anyue Grottoes.