How to Plan a Beijing Yangtze Cruise Tour

Starting a Yangtze River cruise from Beijing is a good way to explore the charming China and Yangtze River. Our Beijing Yangtze Cruise planning guide helps you know better when to visit, how to choose a cruise, what to see and do, what to eat, where to accommodate and extended destinations to go. After reading the six steps, you will enjoy a totally worry free Beijing Yangtze tour or beyond.

Six Steps to Plan a Perfect Beijing Yangtze Cruise Tour

Best Time to Visit Beijing & Yangtze River

Beijing, the Capital of China, is a world famous city filled with ancient history and culture. It is the classic destination which can be visited all the year around. But, travelers should know that the winters of Beijing are cold and dry while the summers are hot and humid. The best times to visit Beijing are during the spring and autumn seasons.

If you combined a Yangtze River cruise into your trip, the best time for the breathtaking scenery along Yangtze River should be Spring and Autumn. While, a relaxing and cool cruise will help you escape the summer heat if you go in the hot season. If you go in winter, you’ll enjoy great discount for the off season.

To sum up, the best times for Beijing Yangtze River tour are in Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November). You could decide when to visit for summer and winter also have something for you.

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★ Best Time to Visit Beijing | ★ Best Time to Take a Yangtze Cruise

✔ 11 Days China Golden Triangle Tour with Yangtze River Cruise

✔ 13 Days Classic China Vacation Tour with Yangtze Cruise

Cruise Yangtze River in Autumn

How to Choose a Yangtze River Cruise

There are 23 cruise ships sailing on Yangtze River, both upstream and downstream. You need to take some minutes to figure out which cruise is best for you. Before you make any decision, you need to consider several things: Downstream or Upstream Cruise; How to Choose a Yangtze River Cruise Route, How to Choose a Cruise Ship, How to Choose a Cabin.

The Downstream cruise means sailing from West China to the lower part of the River: 4 days and 3 nights Chongqing Yichang cruise; 8 days and 7 nights Chongqing Shanghai cruise. The upstream cruise means sailing from East China up to Chongqing: 5 days and 4 nights Yichang Chongqing cruise; and 9 days and 8 nights Shanghai Chongqing cruise.

Most travelers choose to take a 4 days and 3 night downstream cruise sailing from Chongqing to Yichang for a break during their long vacation. It is recommended to take Victoria Cruises and Century Cruises for the better service and better price. If you could afford, it is better to choose a cabin on higher deck for more comfortable accommodation, scenery viewing and quiet atmosphere there. If you book early, sometimes you could catch the rare chance to upgrade to higher deck for FREE.

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✔ 9 Days Beijing Shanghai Tour with Relaxing Yangtze Cruise

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Choose Your Yangtze Cruise Ship

Top Attractions & Shore Excursions

From the ancient Beijing to stunning Yangtze River, there are many things to see and do. You’ll never get bored even on a relaxing cruise ship.

Explore world famous attractions and sites. In Beijing, hike on the Great Wall of China (recommend to do Mutianyu Section for less crowds and more elegant scenery), visit Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Old Hutongs. Along Yangtze River, enjoy beautiful gorge scenery while passing Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge and Xiling Gorge.

Take shore excursions to local area for more fun. There are some excursions arranged by the cruise companies like Shibaozhai Pagoda, Shennv Stream, Shennong Stream and Three Gorge Dam Site. Some are optional like Fengdu Ghost City, White Emperor City and Tribe of Three Gorges. Travelers could choose to go or not.

Add some featured activities into your nightlife or leisure time. In Beijing, taste the Peking Roast Duck after a day’s exploration. On Yangtze River cruise, enjoy the captain’s welcome party, Chinese history and culture lectures, fashion shows, cabaret shows, Taichi lesson etc.

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★ Top Things to Do in Beijing | ★ Highlights of Yangtze Shore Excursions

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Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River

What to Eat and Where to Eat

Dining options are a lot. In Beijing, your guide will arrange to dine in comfortable restaurants near the tourist attractions. No matter you are a foodie or a vegetarian, you are sure be treated the way you like. You could taste the famous duck dish Peking Roast Duck.

As for dining on Yangtze cruise, some cruise companies arrange buffet meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Some companies arrange buffet breakfast and lunch and enjoy Chinese table dinner. If you like the buffet meals for the whole Yangtze trip, please feel free to let us know and we could arrange the ship right for you.

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★ Yzngtze River Cruise Dining and Drinking

Dining on Yangtze Cruise

Accommodation in Beijing & on Yangtze River Cruise

You’ll stay in Beijing and Yangtze River cruise with great comfort. Beijing has thousands of hotels, from the luxury ones to the budget ones. We arrange the hotels with good locations and best value for money. As for the accommodation on Yangtze cruise, you could choose to stay in standard deluxe cabin, executive suite, or presidential suite. The room sizes are varied with the different room types. But all the cabins have private balconies that you could enjoy some quiet moment to view Yangtze scenery.

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Cabins on Yangtze Cruise

Explore other Destinations beyond Beijing and Yangtze River

Usually, the Beijing and Yangtze River Cruise tour takes 7 to 9 days. Want to enjoy a longer China vacation beyond Beijing and Yangtze River? It is good to take a tour for 11-16 days including Beijing and Yangtze River cruise. The other destinations you could cover into your trip are Xian (2 days), Guilin (3 days), Shanghai (2 days), Chengdu (2 days) and Lhasa (4 days). We have well designed the itineraries with the must-sees and must-dos and try to help you build a one-in-lifetime journey. If you are interested in, please go to see Beijing and Yangtze River Extension Tours.

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Giant Panda in Chengdu

Keep Reading

Recommended Beijing Yangtze Tours

Top 3 Beijing Yangtze tours chosen by most customers to explore Beijing Yangtze in the best way. Check the detailed itinerary, or tailor your own trip now with us.

7 Days Beijing Essence & Luxury Yangtze River Cruise

Beijing / Chongqing / Yangtze Cruise / Yichang

11 Days China Golden Triangle Tour with Yangtze River Cruise

Beijing / Xian / Chongqing / Yangtze Cruise / Yichang / Shanghai

13 Days Classic China Vacation Tour with Yangtze Cruise

Beijing / Xian / Guilin / Yangshuo / Yangtze Cruise / Shanghai

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