8 Days Yichang-Shennongjia-Yichang Yangzi Explorer Cruise

Your journey begins in Yichang, where the Yangzi Explorer awaits. Choose to delve into the Three Gorges Dam, marveling at its colossal concrete slopes, or wander Qu Yuan Temple, where pavilions and gardens pay homage to China’s beloved poet. Board the ship at dusk, savoring a lavish buffet dinner as the vessel glides through the Three Gorges Ship Lift, its mechanical symphony echoing beneath a star-studded sky.

At dawn, venture into the UNESCO-listed Shennongjia—a realm of misty forests and hidden waterfalls. Observe golden snub-nosed monkeys at the Dalongtan Research Base, then hike Shennong Valley, where jagged peaks pierce the clouds. Return to the ship at sunset, the Yangtze’s currents carrying whispers of ancient myths, and unwind to live music under the stars.

Morning light unveils the Wu Gorge, its twelve peaks veiled in legend. Disembark to explore White Emperor City, a cliffside fortress where Tang poets once penned verses to the river’s might, or hike the Poetic Trail of Qutang Gorge, where every turn reveals vistas immortalized in classical literature. By dusk, the ship enters Qutang Gorge, its narrow cliffs glowing amber in the fading light.

Choose to wander Shibaozhai Pagoda, a 12-story wooden marvel clinging to a riverside hill, or stroll Xituo Ancient Town, its cobblestone lanes echoing with salt-trade tales. Alternatively, visit Huanghua Island, where Song Dynasty ruins whisper of ancient defenses.As evening falls, a crew cabaret blends traditional dance and song, celebrating the Yangtze’s enduring spirit.

Dock in Chongqing, the “Mountain City,” where skyscrapers cascade down hillsides. Explore vibrant markets, sample fiery hotpot, and ascend to Hongya Cave, a labyrinth of stilted houses glowing above the Jialing River. Return to the ship for a farewell banquet, toasting to the journey beneath the city’s neon-lit skyline.

Delve into the 816 Project, a Cold War-era nuclear labyrinth carved into mountains, or visit the White Crane Ridge Underwater Museum, where Tang Dynasty carvings lie submerged. As night falls, lose yourself in "War Fire of Three Kingdoms" Show—a spectacle of galloping horses and holographic battles—or wander Zhongzhou Old Alley, where Ming-era bricks whisper tales of resilience.

Sail into the heart of Qutang Gorge, its cliffs narrowing like a dragon’s jaws. Disembark to hike the Shennv Sky Road, a cliffside trail offering eagle-eye views, or drift through the Lesser Three Gorges on a sampan, where waterfalls plunge into jade pools. By night, the ship ascends the Three Gorges Ship Lift, its mechanical hum blending with the river’s lullaby.

On your final morning, revisit the Three Gorges Dam or stroll Qu Yuan Temple, its gardens alive with the scent of lotus blossoms. Disembark in Yichang, carrying memories of misty gorges, roaring rivers, and the Yangtze’s timeless embrace.