Yangtze River Cruise Prices 2024/2025: Included & Excluded?

A cruise can be a stress-free way to immerse in the poetic natural landscapes of middle China and explore the fascinating culture, history, and architecture that originated along the longest river in China - the Yangtze River.

If you’re new to cruising, you may wonder how much a Yangtze River cruise may cost.

The total cost of a cruise can vary depending on many factors, such as the lines, itinerary, length, travel dates, ships and the type of cabin booked. Additionally, the desired experience and shore excursions you’re going for can influence the cost.

A panoramic and all-in-one cruise package (9-12 Days) will cost significantly more, while a classic and essential Three Gorges (4~5 Days) cruise can be cheaper. Before booking, find out what considerations you should make to determine the cost of a Yangtze River cruise, what detail items and services are included in and excluded from, the fee for traveling with children, and how to pay the Yangtze River cruise price.

Yangtze River Cruise Prices | Up-to-date Information for All Routes and Ships

How much is a classic Yangtze River Cruise to the Three Gorges?

— Chongqing Yichang Cruises

The Three Gorges Line is the top-chosen and most classic Yangtze River Cruise route, sailing 4-5 days between Chongqing and Yichang, covering Fengdu, Zhongxian, Fengjie, Wu County, and Zigui County, etc., highlighting the poetic but majestic scenery - Three Gorges, the engineering marvel - Three Gorges Dam, and fascinating cultural sites and historical relics.

Useful Guides: Chongqing to Yichang Cruise Destinations and Itineraries 2024 | Yichang to Chongqing Cruise Destinations and Itineraries 2024 >>

At present, there are about 20 luxury cruise ships operating the Three Gorges route; in addition to the two one-price all-inclusive cruise ships from Changjiang Cruises (Yangtze 1 and Yangtze 3) and Yangtze Explorer, the prices of the rest are not much different.

Kui Gate & Qutang Gorge

(Notice: Detailed information, including price, cabin size and included shore excursions given above is subject to the year 2024 and only for your reference, may change according to the cruise companies’ adjustments. You may contact our consultant to get a quotation.)

How much is a panoramic Yangtze River cruise?

— Chongqing Shanghai or Chongqing Nanjing Cruises

As the refurbished Yangtze 2 will return to service in June, there will be two panoramic cruise routes on the Yangtze River: Chongqing-Shanghai and Chongqing-Nanjing. The Chongqing Shanghai Cruise Line takes 12 days upstream (from Shanghai to Chongqing) and 11 days downstream (from Chongqing to Shanghai). The price ranges from $2274 to $2404 (for reference only). In 2024, only one 5-star ship, the Century Legend from Century Cruises, is scheduled to operate this route.

The Chongqing Nanjing Cruise Line takes 1-2 days less, and both the upstream and downstream cruises take 10 days. In the second half of 2024, Yangtze 2 only scheduled four runs on 27 June 2024 (Chongqing to Nanjing), 16 October 2024 (Nanjing to Chongqing), 25 October 2024 (Chongqing to Nanjing) and 3 November 2024 (Nanjing to Chongqing). The price is from $1964 (only for your reference). If you are interested, feel free to contact our travel consultants for more details!

Useful Guides: 11-12 Days Shanghai Chongqing Cruise Day-to-Day Itinerary | 10 Days Chongqing Nanjing Cruise Day-to-Day Itinerary >>

The Bund, Shanghai

Qinhuai River, Nanjing

How much is the special treat for exploring the lower reaches of Yangtze River?

— Wuhan Nanjing Cruise

For travelers who enjoy an all-inclusive cruise package but have already visited the Three Gorges area, this route covering highlights around the lower reaches of the Yangtze River (from Wuhan to Nanjing) may be the ideal choice. This 4-day sightseeing cruise line covers transportation, accommodation, meals on board, exciting onboard activities and interesting shore excursions to the capital of Chinese porcelain - Jingdezhen, the World Culture Heritage site and World Geopark - Mount Lu, and one of the four sacred Buddhist mountains in China - Mount Jiuhua. Such a reward journey starts at $597. If the aforementioned destinations are on your travel list, consider adding this cruise journey to your bucket list.

Useful Guides: 4 Days Wuhan Nanjing Cruise Day-to-Day Itinerary >>

Jiu Hua Shan Dayuan Buddhist Culture Park

What’s Included & Excluded?

When planning your Yangtze River cruise in China, you should know clearly about the cruise prices that shall be paid. The quoted price on our website of a specific cruise ship covers the accommodation for the basic level, dining, arranged excursions, English and Chinese-speaking services, facilities, entertainment and travel insurance, etc. The price you see is usually the cost per person per room (based on double occupancy).

In addition to the base price, you can expect to pay cruise tips (usually CNY 150~200 pp/voyage). Planning for all costs in advance can help you avoid surprises. Check for more details about what’s included and excluded below.

What’s Included in the Cruise Price?

The items at below are covered in your cruise fare, so you don’t have to pay extra to enjoy.

• ● Accommodation: one bed in your cabin is included. You can enjoy during both daytime and night. 3 nights for Chongqing Yichang downstream cruise and 4 nights for Yichang Chongqing upstream cruise;
• ● Most Meals Onboard: all meals specified as “B”, “L”, and “D” (for breakfast, lunch and dinner) listed in your itinerary, Captain’s Welcome Party, and Captain’s Farewell Party;
• ● Arranged Shore Excursions: 3 shore excursion sites arranged by the cruise company (covering the entrance fees, transportation to/from the sites, local guide services, etc.);
• ● Activities & Lectures: evening shows, fashion shows, entertainment, cultural and historical lectures and activities;
• ● Public Facilities: such as the Gym, Reading Room, Cigar Bar, Sun Deck, etc.;
• ● Guide Service: both English and Chinese-speaking guide service onboard the cruise;
• ● Some Onboard Services: such as room services every day, reception deck service for any requests, catering service in the dining hall, etc.;
• ● Travel Insurance: travel insurance offered by China Discovery for your whole cruise;
• ● Taxes charged by the government.

What’s Excluded from the Cruise Price?

The following items are not included in your cruise cost. If you want to enjoy the services, you can pay extra accordingly. The costs are all reasonable.

• ● The cost of your Visa;
• ● Optional Shore Excursions: usually there are 2 to 3 optional shore excursion sites along the Yangtze River. You can decide on your own whether to take it or not. Different cruise companies have different fees for one optional shore excursion site:
  Victoria Cruises are for CNY 100~325;
  Century Cruises are for CNY 290~320;
  Yangtze Gold Cruises are for CNY 90~298;
  President Cruises are for CNY 290;
• ● Personal Expenses: any expenses of a purely personal nature such as laundry, internet, Wi-Fi (Victoria Cruises, Yangtze Gold Cruises, and President Cruises do not provide free Wi-Fi onboard, require extra payment of around CNY 200-300 for one account/voyage, please noted), faxes, telephone calls, DVDs, medical services, gift shop items, Spa, Sauna, massage, beauty services, photography, chess and cards, beverage, etc.;
• ● Dinner on Embarkation Day: Victoria Cruises and President Cruises do not offer dinner on boarding day.
• ● Transfer Fees: any transfer cost between the airports/railway stations/hotels and the cruise terminals in each city, except the complimentary upstream transfer from Yichang East Railway Station to Maoping Port;
• ● Porter Services: hire a port to carry your luggage to get on or leave the cruise ship (currently, only Century Cruises provide free porter service);
• ● Meals Not Listed in the Itinerary: any meals not specified as “B”, “L”, and “D” (for breakfast, lunch and dinner). Usually, the dinner for the embarkation day and the lunch for the disembarkation day are not arranged by the cruise company, which needs extra payment if you want to enjoy.
• ● Single Room Supplement: if you want to stay in one cabin (usually two beds in one cabin) on your own, you are required to pay more than sharing one room with another traveler.
• ● Upgrade Room or Deck: usually the rooms of the basic level are arranged from the lower decks like the 2nd floor. If you want to upgrade your room to better types or to upper decks, you can pay extra to enjoy it.
• ● Tipping: the service charge of about CNY 150 for each person is required to be paid when you check in onboard the cruise. Besides, a gratuity to the cruise guide or the cruise director is excluded in the service charge, which may be given at the travelers’ discretion based on your satisfaction with the services received.

Traveling with Children

If you travel with your kids, you need to pay the extra fee.

Usually, a kid under 2 years old staying in the parents' room is charged 10% - 20 % of the full price according to different cruise companies.

For a kid of 2 – 11 years old, staying in the same bed with the parent is charged 50% - 67% of the full price, and staying in another bed in the parents’ room is charged 75% - 100% of the full price.

And a kid of and over 12 years old is required to give the full payment for staying in another bed or the same bed with the parent in the same room, and is charged 75% of the full price if staying in an extra bed in the room.

Since the charges vary for different cruise companies, you can get more precise information by asking our travel consultants to confirm it before booking and paying.

Family Suites on Century Cruises (Century Oasis, Century Victory, Century Glory)

Additional Passengers

If you have a 3rd adult passenger to enjoy the Yangtze River cruise with staying in an extra bed in your room (that can accept an extra bed), an extra payment of 75% - 100% of the full price is required to be given. As different cruise companies have different prices, you could inquire from our travel consultants for help.

How to Pay the Yangtze Cruise Prices?

Booking a Yangtze River cruise with China Discovery, you can enjoy a very simple process of payment – you pay the deposit, we will then secure your cabins/suites; next, pay the balance to us and go to board your ship directly.

If you book a cruise in advance for more than 1 month, you are required to pay a deposit of 30% of the full cruise price, and pay the balance at least 1 month before the cruising date. However, if you book a cruise less than 1 month before the cruising date, the full cruise price is required to be paid when booking.

If you want to upgrade your cabins or decks before the cruise tour, you can tell your travel consultant and pay the extra. If you decide to upgrade room types or decks or join some optional shore excursions after boarding the ship, you can tell the staff at the reception desk directly and pay extra fees accordingly.

Check more details about Yangtze River Cruise Payment at FAQs & Tips about Yangtze Cruise Payment 2024 >>

Find a Cruise | Top Recommended Ships & Prices

In the year of 2024, there are over 20 cruise ships sailing on the Yangtze River. And here at below are the most popular ones, recommended by professionals and our delighted Yangtze River cruisers, with reasonable prices, high standard facilities, great services, tasteful food and beverages, amazing shore excursions, rich onboard activities and so forth. Choose your favorite one to see the details of the ship before planning your Yangtze River cruise vacation!

If you have any questions or haven't decided which routes/ships to choose, just tell our travel consultants, they will help to customize your special Yangtze River tour sincerely!

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 2024 | 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 2024 | Top Sichuan Tours 2024 | 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 2024 | 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 2024 | 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 2024 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