5 Days Yichang-Chongqing Yangtze River Cruise(Yangzi Explorer)

Upon your arrival at Yichang, either at the Three Gorges Airport or Yichang East Railway Station, you will be greeted by a representative and transferred to Yichang Huangling Temple Port to board the Yangzi Explorer.   

Prepare for an unforgettable journey upstream through the breathtaking landscapes of Yangtze River, a region renowned for its majestic scenery and cultural significance in China.

Before embarking, enjoy the complimentary pre-cruise tour available exclusively to Yangzi Explorer guests. Choose between a VIP Three Gorges Project Tour (Option A) or a visit to a historic Quyuan Temple and the Three Gorges Resettlement Museum (Option B).

As part of our exclusive itinerary, you will have the opportunity to visit the River Closure Park and Three Gorges Project Museum, the latter was opened to the public in August 2022 (Option A).

In the Three Gorges Project River Closure Park, you can admire the grandeur of this century-long project from the front of the dam. The Park preserves the construction materials and objects left behind at the construction site of the Three Gorges Dam, including the wall used to support the stockpile of sand and gravel, the four remaining tetrahedrons, the 77-ton loading and unloading truck, and the large construction machinery such as the flat throw boat.

The Three Gorges Project Museum is located on the right bank of the Three Gorges Dam area, 1 km away from the Dam. It is one of the best viewing points of the Project and one of the largest thematic museums of hydro-power projects in the world. It displays the preparation, design, construction and operation of the Three Gorges Project.

Alternatively, you can embark on a cultural tour that includes a visit to the Qu Yuan Temple & the Hubei Three Gorges Resettlement Museum (Option B).

Qu Yuan Temple is nestled in the scenic surroundings of Hubei Province and offers visitors a deep dive into China's rich cultural and literary heritage. This historic site honors Qu Yuan, the esteemed poet and statesman, whose enduring legacy is celebrated every year during the Dragon Boat Festival. Visitors to the temple can explore a beautifully preserved environment that echoes the ancient times, with traditional architecture, tranquil gardens, and exhibits that tell the story of Qu Yuan's life and contributions to Chinese literature. The view of the Three Gorges Dam from Qu Yuan Temple is nothing short of breathtaking, offering a panoramic glimpse into the harmony between nature and human achievement.

Hubei Three Gorges Resettlement Museum, offers a unique glimpse of the Three Gorges Dam. Located in Yichang, this museum chronicles the remarkable stories of the millions of people who were relocated to make way for this monumental project. The museum not only honors the resilience and adaptability of those who were resettled but also provides a profound understanding of the environmental, social, and cultural impact of the Three Gorges Dam.

After you've settled into your cabin, please join us at the Dynasty Restaurant (or any other prebooked dining venue available on board) for dinner, followed by safety briefing and Captain's Welcome Reception at the Explorer Bar.

Start your morning with an early bird tea or coffee followed by Tai Chi lesson, led by our Tai Chi Master to build up an appetite for a breakfast.

Experience a marvel of modern engineering as the Yangzi Explorer navigates through the world's largest and most technologically advanced ship lift, the Three Gorges Project Ship Lift. This lift boasts a lift capacity of 15,500 tons and a vertical lift height of 113 meters, equivalent to a 40-story building.

Yangzi Explorer is one of the select few vessels that can journey through this impressive structure on its own, taking away the need of booking additional excursion. Enjoy this unique spectacle comfortably from your cabin on board.

Following this, the Yangzi Explorer will make its way into the western part of the Xiling Gorge, the most breathtaking segment of the Yangtze River's Three Gorges. The landscape here is renowned for its majestic peaks, secluded beaches, and pristine waterfalls. 

Upon arrival in Badong county, you have the choice of two excursions: explore the enchanting Wuyuan Cave (Option A) or visit the insightful Badong Museum and enjoy the panoramic views from the Wu Gorge Lookout (Option B).

Wuyuan Cave is a captivating destination that offers unparalleled natural beauty, drawing both nature lovers and adventure seekers. Explore this serene locale through a wooden sampan ride along an underground river, surrounded by the cave's stunning rock formations.

The Badong Museum is a hidden gem in Hubei Province, offering a rich tapestry of local history, culture, and heritage. The museum's carefully curated exhibits showcase everything from ancient artifacts and traditional clothing to vibrant folk art and historical documents, painting a vivid picture of the county's diverse cultural landscape.

Entrance to Wu Gorge Lookout is a captivating destination nestled along the Yangtze River in Hubei Province. This scenic area is renowned for its dramatic landscapes, featuring towering cliffs, emerald-green waters, and lush forests that create a breathtaking backdrop for any adventure. 

At night, enjoy an outdoor cultural show: A Journey through a Thousand Years in Badong.It is more than just a cultural show - it's an experience that connects you with the heart and soul of Badong. As the performers weave together tales of integrity, love, bravery, and tradition, you'll be captivated by the artistic expression and cultural pride that shine through every scene. 

Begin your day with an invigorating early morning tea or coffee followed by a traditional Tai Chi session, setting the tone for a day of exploration. After fueling up with a hearty buffet breakfast, take advantage of the leisure time aboard the Yangzi Explorer as you glide through the stunning Wu Gorge and Qutang Gorge.

Wu Gorge is the most beautiful gorge among the Three Gorges. Characterized by majestic peaks crowned by lush forests, Wu Gorge is said to be celestial.

Qutang Gorge is the shortest and narrowest of the famed Three Gorges, measuring only 150 meters at its widest point. Otherwise, the mountains on either side reach as high as 1,200.

After lunch, you can choose from three excursions in Fengjie.

Take a 15-minute coach ride to the historic White Emperor City (Option A), where you can delve into the intriguing stories of the area and celebrated poems of Li Bai from Tang Dynasty.

Or you can choose to walk along the Poetic Trail in Qutang Gorge (Option B). This trail meanders up to the Three Gorges Summit offering one of the most classic hiking routes in the region, typically taking six hours to complete. But we only select the essence of one hour.

This morning, the Yangzi Explorer will dock at Shibao Pier in Zhongxian County, an area celebrated for its profound history and culture. After breakfast, you’ll have the opportunity to choose from three carefully curated excursions.

Option A: Shibaozhai Pagoda

A marvel of ancient wooden architecture, renowned for its striking Pavilion that stands as one of the few remaining wooden buildings of its kind in China. The Pavilion, perched atop a 220-meter hill on the north bank of the Yangtze River, is often likened to a towering piece of jade. Legend has it that the hill was formed by the goddess Nvwa, who sculpted the landscape while mending the heavens after a celestial battle. The Shibaozhai Pagoda, soaring 56 meters high with twelve distinct floors, is a testament to architectural ingenuity. Originally a nine-story structure, its top three floors were added during a 1956 restoration, earning it the nickname "Nine Heavens."

Option B: Xituo Ancient Town

A short ferry ride across the river from Shibaozhai takes you to Xituo Ancient Town. Nestled among stunning natural landscapes, Xituo offers a glimpse into the daily life and rich cultural tapestry of its inhabitants. Known historically as the western border of Bazhou, the town provides a serene backdrop to explore centuries of tradition and local customs.

The ancient town of Xituo was established due to its pivotal role in the salt trade. Dating back to the pre-Qin era, it served as a crucial salt transfer station. Scholars consider Xituo among the world’s earliest commercial and trading towns. During that period, the people of the ancient county of Ba navigated the Yangtze River to transport salt from Zhongxian to Xituo via wooden boats, then over the rugged ridges of western Hubei and Hunan. This route was one of the most vital salt routes in the region, reflecting the town’s significant historical role in the salt industry. A time-honored street stretches to the top of the ancient town from the riverside pier. With 1,314 steps partly hidden in the mist, like a ladder reaching to the sky, it is also called “Yunti Street”, hailed as the “First Street of the Yangtze River.”

Option C: Huanghua Island

The island is an enchanting natural wonder on the mainstream of the Yangtze River in Zhongxian County, uniquely positioned at the geographical heart of the Three Gorges Reservoir. The island boasts a rich historical legacy dating back to the Song Dynasty. During this period, a fortified city was established on the island, creating one of China's rarest isolated island-type defense systems. Huanghua Island, once known as "Huanghua City," became the seat of Xianchun Prefecture, still preserves the ruins of the ancient state government offices and city walls.

In the morning, disembark the boat at Chongqing Chaotianmen Dock.

Chongqing is known as the "Mountain City" because many mountains converge here, and the Yangtze, Jialing and Fu rivers surround it, forming a unique landscape of mountains and rivers. It was once an important military stronghold and political center. It is also birthplace of Emperor Guangzong Zhao Dun, and "place where the whip of God was broken", which influenced the historical pattern of Eurasia for hundreds of years. Today's Chongqing is not only a popular city, but also an important node of economic links between China and Europe.

You will be transferred to Chongqing Airport, Railway Station, or downtown Chongqing for your onward journey.

As your journey with us draws to a close, we thank you for choosing to explore the stunning landscapes with Yangzi Explorer!