Yangtze River Cruise Routes, Itineraries & Lines 2024/2025

In the year of 2025/2025, we China Discovery offer the Yangtze River cruise sailing between Chongqing and Yichang, which is the best and golden section along the Yangtze River, both for Yangtze cruise new travellers and people visiting for the second or more time.

For travellers to enjoy the fantastic view of the Yangtze, highlights of the Three Gorges and poetic outstanding shore excursion attractions, there are:

• ♦ 4 days & 3 nights Chongqing to Yichang Downstream Cruise
• ♦ 5 days & 4 nights Yichang to Chongqing Upstream Cruise
• Click and Jump to detailed itinerary >>

Also, there are cruise routes between Chongqing and Shanghai offered by Century Legend in 2024, providing guides with the most complete and comfortable way to explore landscapes, history and culture of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River:

• ♦ 11 days & 10 nights Chongqing Shanghai Downstream Cruise
• ♦ 12 days & 11 nights Shanghai Chongqing Upstream Cruise
• Click and Jump to detailed itinerary >>

Sepcial Treats: Yangtze 2 from Changjiang Cruises has finished its upgrading and reconstruction, will be available to the 4 Days 3 Nights Wuhan-Nanjing Line from 6 June 2024 to 16 October 2024, and operating 4 runs of 10 Days 9 Nights Chongqing-Nanjing Line (Chongqing to Nanjing on 27 June 2024 and 25 October 2024; Nanjing to Chongqing on 16 October 2024 and 03 November 2024):

Notice: Due to rising water levels, all cruises between Wuhan and Nanjing, and several Chongqing and Nanjing cruises were canceled in 2024. For more information, please feel free to contact our travel consultants.

• ♦ 4 days & 3 nights Wuhan Nanjing Downstream Cruise
• ♦ 4 days & 3 nights Nanjing Wuhan Upstream Cruise

• ♦ 10 days & 9 nights Chongqing Nanjing Downstream Cruise
• ♦ 10 days & 9 nights Nanjing Chongqing Upstream Cruise
• Click and Jump to detailed itinerary >>

Chosen by most Yangtze River cruise travellers and received good reviews and feedback about the sightseeing, enjoyment, cruise onboard experience and other aspects. All luxury river cruise companies have been sailing their ships on the Yangtze River for so many years. Now, they all become professional, luxurious, and reputable for your selection.

2025 Recommended Yangtze River Cruise Ships:

Chongqing to Yichang Classic Three Gorges Line:

Special Routes of Yangtze River Cruises:

Chongqing Yichang | 4 & 5 Days Three Gorges Cruise Lines

Yangtze River Chongqing Yichang Cruise Route Map

4 Days & 3 Nights Chongqing to Yichang Downstream Cruise | Itinerary & Destination

The downstream cruise from Chongqing takes 3 nights and 4 days to give travellers an essence tour to the Yangtze River in China. On this cruise trip, traveller guests would get on the cruise ship at Chongqing Chaotianmen Port, and leave the ship at Maoping Port to visit the Three Gorges Dam Site, and take the arranged bus to Yichang Three Gorges Center Cruise Terminal to end the cruise tour.

Day 1Chongqing Embarkation

Day 2Fengdu

Day 3Kui Gate & Qutang Gorge

Day 4Three Gorges Dam

Cruise Itinerary (Chongqing to Yichang)

— 4 days & 3 nights at a quick glance

Day 1: Chongqing Embarkation
— Chaotianmen Dock……

Day 2: Fengdu County - Zhongxian
— Fengdu Ghost City, Feng Yan San Guo Show……

Day 3: Fengjie - Wushan
— Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge, Shennv Stream……

Day 4: Zigui - Yichang Disembarkation
— Three Gorges Dam Site, Ship Lift……

Book

On day 1, arrive in Chongqing, reach Chongqing Chaotianmen Dock (重庆朝天门码头) and get on your cruise ship after about 18:00 at the correct dock informed by your Travel Consultant. The ship would depart from Chongqing at 21:00~23:00 at night.

On day 2, take shore excursion visits in Fengdu County (Fengdu Ghost City 丰都鬼城, Mount Shuanggui 双桂山…) or Zhongxian (Shibaozhai Pagoda 石宝寨, Feng Yan San Guo Show 烽烟三国…). During the day, enjoy the multiple interesting cultural activities and lectures onboard the ship.

On day 3, sail through the Three Gorges (三峡), appreciate the magnificent and amazing sightseeing of the Qutang Gorge (瞿塘峡) and Wu Gorge (巫峡), and pay a visit to the poetry-famous White Emperor City (白帝城) and ride a small boat on the pristine tributaries, for instance, Shennv Stream (神女溪), Shennong Stream (神农溪), Lesser Three Gorges (小三峡), etc. to explore authentic local culture and sceneries. Have fun with the night’s entertainment and shows.

On day 4, after breakfast, there are two kinds of arrangements.
Arrangement A, take an optional experience of the Ship Lift (升船机) and visit the great Three Gorges Dam Site (三峡大坝) to marvel at the unbelievable skills and wisdom of Chinese people. After the sightseeing, take the arranged bus to Yichang Three Gorges Center Cruise Terminal (宜昌三峡游客中心). Cruise tour ends;
Arrangement B, visit the Three Gorges Dam Site and take the arranged bus to Yichang Three Gorges Center Cruise Terminal. Cruise tour ends.

Check the detailed itinerary of the 4 Days & 3 Nights Downstream Cruise from Chongqing to Yichang.

Recommended cruise lines/companies

• Century Cruises: is dedicated to improving the quality of its ships' facilities and services with European-style management, establishing itself as a benchmark in China's river cruise tourism industry.
• Victoria Cruises: the American-style managed cruise company on the Yangtze River. With superior services onboard and well-arranged shore excursions, Victoria Cruises would definitely be a good value for the money.
• Yangtze Explorer: the most luxury cruise under Sanctuary Retreats with deluxe one-on-one service sailing on the Yangtze River!
• Changjiang Cruises: all-in-one cruise tour packages with newly launched/refurbished ships and newly developed shore excursions to savour the panoramic scenery of the Three Gorges.
• Yangtze Gold Cruises: a well-publicized cruise company on the Yangtze River, winning itself a reputation overseas.
• President Cruises: the only downstream cruise company offering shore excursions to Shibaozhai Pagoda.

Besides, all Yangtze River cruise ships (except Century Legend) serve with such 3 nights and 4 days cruise route, you can find your favorite cruise to enjoy the most.

Yangtze River Cruises

5 Days & 4 Nights Yichang to Chongqing Upstream Cruise

Since this upstream Yangtze River cruise from Yichang to Chongqing needs 5 days and 4 nights to enjoy, it has a relatively relaxing pace, and it is a better choice for visitors who expect a special vacation at a leisurely pace during a long journey. On this cruise tour, you gather at Yichang Three Gorges Center Cruise Terminal / Yichang East Railway Station for the shuttle bus to Maoping Port for embarkation and end the tour by leaving the cruise at Chaotianmen Port in Chongqing City.

Day 1Yichang Embarkation

Day 2Tribe of Three Gorges

Day 2Three Gorges Dam

Day 3Lesser Three Gorges

Day 3Three Gorges Summit

Day 4Fengdu Ghost City

Day 5Chongqing Disembarkation

Cruise Itinerary (Yichang to Chongqing)

— 5 days & 4 nights at a quick glance

Day 1: Yichang Embarkation
— Board your ship at Maoping Port, except Yangtze 1

Day 2: Yichang
— Tribe of Three Gorges, Three Gorges Dam……

Day 3: Wushan - Fengjie
— Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge, Shennong Stream……

Day 4: Fengdu or Zhongxian
— Fengdu Ghost City……

Day 5: Chongqing Disembarkation
— Chaotianmen Dock, around 9:00 a.m.

Book

On day 1, from about 16:00 to 21:00, gather at Yichang Three Gorges Center Cruise Terminal (宜昌三峡游客中心) or Yichang East Railway Station (宜昌东站) and take the arranged bus to Maoping Port (茅坪港) to board the ship.

On day 2, take a shore excursion to the Tribe of Three Gorges (三峡人家), usually as an optional shore excursion site, and visit the world-famous Three Gorges Dam site.

On day 3, sail through the Wu Gorge (巫峡) and Qutang Gorge (瞿塘峡) to appreciate the super primitive natural sightseeing, ride a small boat on the Shennv Stream (神女溪)/Shennong Stream (神农溪)/Lesser Three Gorges (小三峡), etc., to enjoy the serene landscape and take a shore excursion to the White Emperor City (白帝城) or Three Gorges Summit (三峡之巅) to look out the iconic/panoramic views of the Three Gorges.

On day 4, visit Fengdu Ghost City (丰都鬼城) or Snow Jade Cave (雪玉洞) in Fengdu County. Have fun with the various activities and entertainments onboard. Enjoy a great time on the Captain’s Farewell Party at night.

On day 5, arrive in Chaotianmen Dock, Chongqing (重庆朝天门码头). After breakfast, leave the ship at about 09:00. Your cruise comes to a perfect end.

Check the detailed itinerary of the 5 Days & 4 Nights Upstream Cruise from Yichang to Chongqing.

Recommended cruise lines/companies

All Century Cruises (except Century Legend), Victoria Cruises, President Cruises, Yangtze Gold Cruises, and Changjiang Cruises (except Yangtze 2) have been offering upstream Yichang to Chongqing cruises for many years. Choose your ideal ship to start the wonderful trip on the Yangtze River. Top Yichang to Chongqing Cruises >>

Notice: The 3 ships offer all-in-one cruise packages: Yangtze Explorer, Yangtze 3 and Yangtze 1 share the same destinations with classic Three Gorges cruises but have different shore excursions arrangement in some day, for instance, Yangtze Explorer’s Day 2 to Shennongjia or Badong, Yangtze 3’s Day 3 to Goddess Sky Road, Yangtze 1’s Day 1 board the ship at Yichang No.9 Pier, etc., so if you have a preference to a specific cruise, please refer directly to the cruise itinerary page for specific information. 2024 Yangtze River Cruises >>

Chongqing Yichang Yangtze River Cruise Route Comparison

Since the Yangtze River upstream and downstream cruise routes between Chongqing and Yichang are different, here below are some major differences between the 5 days route and 4 days route to have a more precise comparison of each one when planning your own Yangtze River cruise tour in China.

Shanghai Chongqing | 11 & 12 Days Yangtze River Panoramic Lines

Yangtze River Shanghai Chongqing Cruise Route Map

Compared to the 4-5 days Chongqing Yichang cruise, the Chongqing Shanghai cruise is the most relaxing cruise route, with the whole journey covering 2,644 kilometers. For upstream cruise from Shanghai and downstream from Chongqing, it needs 12 days and 11 nights to offer you a real laid-back sailing (1 less day for downstream). In 2024, only Century Legend sails on this route, if you are interested, feel free to check more details at Century Legend Cruise Overview, Cabin, Itinerary and Services >>

Day 1Shanghai Embarkation

Day 2Yangzhou | Slender West Lake

Day 3Nanjing | Niushou Mountain

Day 4Chizhou | Mount Jiuhua

Day 5Jiujiang | Lushan Mountain

Day 6Wuhan | Yellow Crane Tower

Day 7Yueyang | Yueyang Tower

Day 8Jingzhou | Jingzhou Ancient City Wall

Day 9Yichang | Three Gorges Dam

Day 10Fengjie | Three Gorges Summit

Day 11Fengdu | Fengdu Ghost City

Day 12Chongqing Disembarkation

Cruise Itinerary (Shanghai Chongqing)

— 12 days & 11 nights at a quick glance

Day 1: Shanghai Embarkation
Day 2: Yangzhou | Slender West Lake
Day 3: Nanjing | Niushou Mountain
Day 4: Chizhou | Mount Jiuhua
Day 5: Jiujiang | Lushan Mountain
Day 6: Wuhan | Yellow Crane Tower
Day 7: Yueyang | Yueyang Tower
Day 8: Jingzhou | Jingzhou Museum
Day 9: Yichang | Three Gorges Dam
Day 10: Fengjie | Three Gorges Summit
Day 11: Fengdu | Fengdu Ghost City
Day 12: Chongqing Disembarkation

Book

During this leisure cruise trip, you will not only visit the ordinary shore excursion sites in the Three Gorges area, but also enjoy the awesome city appearance of Shanghai and Chongqing municipalities, pay a visit to the notable Jingdezhen (景德镇) that is the City of Ceramics in China, Museum and picturesque lake in Wuhan city (武汉), famous cultural and historical sites in Nanjing (南京), best preserved ancient city wall in Jingzhou city, national renowned Mount Jiuhua in Chizhou city, and so on, to enjoy more highlights of culture, history, sceneries, and folk charms along the Yangtze River.

Wuhan Nanjing | 4 Days & 3 Nights Elegant Lower Reaches Cruise Vacation

Notice: Due to rising water levels, all cruises between Wuhan and Nanjing, and several Chongqing and Nanjing cruises were canceled in 2024. For more information, please feel free to contact our travel consultants.

Good news has come up recently! Yangtze 2 from Changjiang Cruises has finished its upgrading and reconstruction and will be available for the 4 Days Wuhan-Nanjing and 10 Days Nanjing-Chongqing routes in the second half of 2024, visiting highlights like Mount Lu (庐山, World Culture Heritage site and World Geopark for profound cultural significance and breathtaking scenery), Mount Jiuhua (九华山, dedicated to Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, is one of the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains in China), Jingdezhen (景德镇, the Porcelain Capital of China)……

Day 1Wuhan Embarkation

Day 2Jingdezhen

Day 3Jiu Hua Shan Dayuan Buddhist Culture Park

Day 4Nanjing Disembarkation

Cruise Itinerary (Wuhan Nanjing)

— 4 days & 3 nights at a quick glance

Day 1: Wuhan Embarkation
— Board your ship at No. 23 Wuhan Port

Day 2: Chizhou
— Mount Lu or Jingdezhen……

Day 3: Jiujiang
— Mount Jiuhua or Dayuan Buddhist Culture Park……

Day 4: Nanjing
— Disembark your ship at Wumadu Dock, Nanjing, around 8:00……

Book

If you have any questions or haven't decided which routes to choose, or if you are interested in the 4 runs of 10 days 9 nights Chongqing to Nanjing (vice versa) cruise in 2024, just tell our travel consultants who will help to customize your special Yangtze River tour sincerely!

Best Yangtze River Cruise Vacation 2024/2025 book now

How to Plan a China Yangtze Tour?

Over 90% cruiser would choose the classic Chongqing-Yichang Three Gorges Itinerary, which only takes 4 to 5 days, as their first encounter with the Yangtze River. Then, they will leave some time to visit surrounding highlights or explore famous landing cities. So, a China Yangtze tour can extend from 4 days to a month, or even more.

To/From nearby Hot China Destinations (Chongqing, Chengdu, Zhangjiajie, Guilin…)

— Chongqing(重庆) is known as the most essential starting point for a classic Yangtze River cruise. The city has gained international recognition in recent years for its unique tridimensional cityscape, 8D transportation system, and cyberpunk-style buildings and architecture, which have attracted a growing number of tourists to the city. Usually, a leisure landscape tour in Chongqing city requires 2~3 days. It’s recommended that you extend your journey to the surrounding UNESCO heritage sites like Wulong - the famous Karst Landscape in blockbuster Transformers (1-2 days) and Dazu - the last monumental works in the history of world grottoes art (1 day).

☛ 4 Days Chongqing Essence Tour with Yangtze River Cruise

Useful Links: 1~3 Days Chongqing Tours 2025 | How to Plan a Chongqing Tour >>

Our Guests Take a Photo with Hongya Cave

— Chengdu(成都), a 1~1.5-hour high-speed train from Chongqing, is known as the hometown of the Giant Pandas and  UNESCO’s City of Gastronomy. Take 1~2 days to meet these cuties and keep yourself in the “laid-back” living pace like a local while wandering around parks, museums, ancient pedestrian streets, and temples in the downtown area, you will probably understand why people say Chengdu is a city you don't want to leave. Moreover, Chengdu is the gateway to so many UNESCO world heritage sites, including Jiuzhaigou (3 days), Mount Emei (2 days), Leshan Giant Buddha (1 day), Dujiangyan (0.5-1 day), etc., and astonishing hidden plateau - Western Sichuan (3~7 days).

☛ 8 Days Best of Sichuan with Yangtze Cruise Tour (with Chengdu/Emeishan/Leshan)
☛ 8 Days Beauty Tour to Jiuzhaigou & Yangtze River

Useful Links: 1~7 Days Chengdu Tours 2025 | Top Sichuan Tours 2025 | How to Plan a Chengdu Tour >>

Giant Panda Breeding Research Base in Chengdu

— Zhangjiajie(张家界), a 4.5-hour two-train transfer from Yichang, offers the most distinct and iconic landscape of the Hollywood blockbuster Avatar. Let along adrenalin-pumping Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge and frightening skywalks and sharp zigzag driving roads at Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park, the uncanny natural wonders in Zhangjiajie (3~5 Days) attracting countless adventurers and travel addicts from all over the world!

☛ 7 Days Nature Tour to Yangtze River & Zhangjiajie

Useful Links: 3~5 Days Zhangjiajie Tours 2025 | How to Plan a Zhangjiajie Tour >>

Chona from Philippines visited Tianzi Mountain, Zhangjiajie

— Guilin(桂林), located 4-5 hours away by high-speed train from Chongqing, is renowned for its breathtaking scenery, making it a must-visit destination in China. Generally, Li River, Yangshuo County, and Longji Rice Terraces are the three most popular and separate destinations.  For most travelers to Guilin, 3-5 days is enough to cover the highlights by using a private car. 

☛ 7 Days Idyllic Guilin & Yangtze River Cruise Tour

Useful Links: 3~5 Days Guilin Tours 2025 | How to Plan a Guilin Tour >>

Claire from UK visited Yangshuo Countryside

From/To Classic China Destinations (Beijing/Shanghai/Xian/Hong Kong/Guangzhou…)

Guests who are visiting China for the first time probably would choose Beijing (the capital of China, recommended travel days: 3~4 days), Shanghai (the largest and most developed and populated city of China, recommended travel days: 2~4 days), Guangzhou (the third biggest city in China, recommended travel days: 2~3 days) or Hong Kong (a convenient transit hub with mainland China, recommended travel days: 2~3 days) as their first stop, as all these four destinations process excellent infrastructure and multi-dimensional transportation networks connecting the whole of China. How to arrange your travel route? Our top-pick China Yangtze Tour itineraries may bring you some inspiration!

☛ (Beijing/Xian/Chongqing/Yangtze Cruise/Yichang/Shanghai) 11 Days China Golden Triangle Tour with Yangtze River Cruise

☛ (Beijing/Xian/Chengdu/Yangtze Cruise/Zhangjiajie/Shanghai) 15 Days China Best Treasure Tour with Yangtze Cruise & Zhangjiajie Landscape

☛ (Hong Kong/Guilin/Chengdu/Chongqing/Yangtze Cruise/Yichang/Shanghai) 12 Days China Splendid Tour from Hong Kong

☛ (Shanghai/Yichang/Yangtze Cruise/Chongqing/Chengdu/Lhasa/Xian/Beijing) 17 Days China Yangtze Tour with Tibet & Giant Panda Visit

☛ (Hong Kong/Guilin/Chengdu/Yangtze Cruise/Zhangjiajie/Shanghai/Xian/Beijing) 21 Days China Holiday with Yangtze River Cruise Tour

Useful Links: Yangtze River Cruise Tour from Beijing | Yangtze River Cruise Tour from Shanghai | Yangtze River Cruise Tour from Hong Kong >>

Check more details about 2025 Top China Yangtze Tours >>

Alexia visited Mutianyu Great Wall Terracotta Warriors, Shared by Chris Lujiazui, Shanghai

Travel Yangtze River with China Discovery

Have your own ideas of where and what to discover before, during and after the Yangtze River cruise tour? We China Discovery offers many popular and valuable private China tour packages with Yangtze River Cruise vacation taking you to enjoy wonderful exploration of the best highlights of Three Gorges, Chongqing, Yichang, Zhangjiajie, Chengdu, Xian, Guilin, Wuhan, etc. And our professional travel team with experienced travel expert, local English-speaking travel guide and driver and non-smoking comfortable licensed private vehicle will help you throughout the trip from the planning, navigation, hotel arrangement and scenic spot visiting. So you will have the much better travel experience on and around the extensive Yangtze River. You can check our tour packages to get some inspiration. All tours can be tailor-made according to your group size, time, physical condition, plan, interests, budget and any other special need! Please feel free to contact us to customize your own China Yangtze River Cruise trip or if you need any help!

See Our Delighted Customers on Their Yangtze Cruise Trips