11 Days Chongqing-Shanghai Century Cruise

As the sun dips below Chongqing’s skyline, you step onto the decks of the Century Cruise, your gateway to the Yangtze’s secrets. Welcomed by the captain’s toast and a twilight seafood buffet, you settle into your cabin, lulled by the river’s gentle rhythm.

Awaken to the soft melodies of morning tea. After a lavish buffet, you disembark in Fengdu, a city steeped in ghostly lore. Wander through the eerie yet enchanting Ghost City, where stone statues of spirits and crumbling temples whisper forgotten legends. Return to the ship for a lecture on the Three Gorges’ history, then lose yourself in a film about the river’s grandeur. As dusk falls, witness the "War Fire of Three Kingdoms" Show spectacle—a thunderous clash of armies, horses, and holographic projections that reenacts Liu Bei’s legendary oath and Zhuge Liang’s strategies. Fireworks erupt as the performance concludes, painting the sky in hues of triumph.

At dawn, the ship approaches the poetic city of Fengjie. Choose to ascend the White Emperor City, where Li Bai’s verses echo through mist-shrouded halls and terraces overlooking the Qutang Gorge’s jagged cliffs. Or venture to the Three Gorges Summit, where you stand atop a cliff, the Yangtze stretching endlessly beneath you like a celestial ribbon. Either way, lunch onboard offers a harmonious blend of Chinese and Western fare, followed by lazy afternoons admiring Wu Gorge’s serenity. As evening nears, the ship navigates the Five-Level Ship Lock, a marvel of engineering where you watch the vessel “climb” stairs of water, a feat few travelers ever witness.

Morning brings a visit to the Three Gorges Dam, a concrete colossus that tamed the river. Walk through the Interception Memorial Park, where engineers’ determination is etched into every stone, and explore the museum’s gripping exhibits on this modern wonder. Later, as the ship passes the Gezhouba Lock, you reflect on the river’s transformation—from wild torrents to a lifeline for millions. Dinner unveils Jingchu cuisine, a spicy-sweet symphony of flavors, while onboard lectures delve into the dam’s ecological and cultural impact.

In Jingzhou, history comes alive at the King Chu's Mausoleum, where iron chariots and skeletal horses lie frozen in time, a testament to a kingdom’s glory. Alternatively, explore the Jingzhou Museum, where artifacts like the Goujian Sword and Han lacquerware whisper tales of emperors and warriors. Both excursions lead to lunch onboard, followed by afternoon tea and a film under starlit skies.

Wuhan greets you with the Huanghe Tower, its vermilion pillars rising from the Yangtze like a poem come to life. Climb its tiers for panoramic views, then wander through the Hubei Provincial Museum, where the Goujian Sword’s sharp edge and the Yunxian Skull Fossil stare back at you with millennia of stories. Lunch is a lavish whole fish feast, its crispy skin crackling under chili oil. Evening brings laughter and movement in a group dance lesson, followed by a buffet where Wuhan’s fiery hotpot awaits.

Your choice today: Jingdezhen, the “Porcelain Capital,” where artisans shape clay into delicate vases using ancient techniques, or Lushan Mountain, a UNESCO site where cable cars ascend misty peaks to hidden temples and valleys. Whether sipping tea in a kiln courtyard or marveling at Huajing Park’s vistas, lunch in Jiangxi-style cuisine—steamed fish and fragrant rice—will satisfy your soul.

Mt. Jiuhua beckons with its Buddhist sanctuaries, where golden statues and lotus blooms adorn tranquil halls. Or, visit Jindi Zang Temple, its seven-section grand hall gleaming with towering Buddhas under a retractable roof. Vegetarian lunches and lakeside banquets complement these spiritual retreats, while evenings feature karaoke competitions that echo across the decks.

At Niushou Mountain, you tread paths where emperors once prayed, culminating in the awe-inspiring Niushou Palace, home to the Buddha’s sacred relic. As you explore Niushou Mountain, you’ll be awed by the unique architecture, including Buddhist sacred objects and breathtaking views, crafted by skilled artisans. This is a place where history, culture, and nature come together in harmony. Lunch onboard offers Nanjing’s signature dishes—salted duck—before cultural activities and a farewell dinner.

Slender West Lake unfolds like a silk scroll: lotus-covered lakes, willow-lined bridges, and pavilions where poets once drank. Xu Garden’s rockeries and the White Pagoda’s reflection in the water create a postcard-perfect finale. As dusk settles, a photography sharing session and farewell party wrap up your journey, with guests uploading their favorite memories to a shared digital album.

After breakfast, disembark at Shanghai’s International Passenger Terminal, where Century Cruises’ concierge ensures a seamless transfer to your next adventure. The Yangtze’s symphony fades behind you, but its echoes—of dragons, emperors, and engineering brilliance—will linger in your heart forever.