Yangtze River Attractions, Yangtze River Cruise Shore Excursions

The Yangtze River has nourished China’s long and splendid culture. The section of Yangtze from Chongqing to Shanghai, especially between Chongqing and Yichang, has abundant historical sites as well as beautiful natural scenery.

The following Yangtze Shore Excursion Sites will provide you chance to appreciate the longest river in China, enjoying its incredible natural beauty and experiencing the fabulous culture, authentic local flavors. 

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Yangtze River Cruise Shore Excursion Map

Best Yangtze Cruise Shore Excursions (Chongqing Yichang Line)

Three Gorges

• Type: Natural Scenery
• Best Time: spring, autumn and winter

Three Gorges refers to the most splendid scenic area along Yangtze River. It is consisted of three beautiful gorges, hence the name. The gorges are Qutang Gorge, Wuxia Gorge and Xiling Gorge. And for Yangtze River travelers, Three Gorges are somewhat one of the big reasons to pack their luggage.

Three Gorges Dam

• Type: Dam, Engineering Marvel
• Best Time: all year around

Three Gorges Dam, the world-class engineering marvel and the largest Hydroelectric Plant in the world, is another big reason why so many tourists coming to cruise Yangtze River. Now every Yangtze River cruise has the arranged shore excursion to get close the marvelous dam. The entrance fee is included in your quotation!

Fengdu Ghost City

• Type: Cultural & Historic Site
• Best Time: all year around

With a long history of nearly 2,000 years, Fengdu Ghost City at the bank of Yangtze River is an interesting site for visitors who are looking to learn about the Chinese vision of the afterlife. Here, you will see spiritually designed statues, telling you what will happen to all the bad men.

White Emperor City

• Type: Cultural & Historic Site
• Best Time: all year around

White Emperor City is not a real modern city, but a big island with rich historic relics. As legend goes that in 25 A.D., a man named Gong Sunshu saw white vapor in the shape of a dragon rising from a nearby well, and thus he declared himself the White Emperor and renamed the town White Emperor City.

Tribe of Three Gorges

• Type: Ethnic Village
• Best Time: all year around

Tribe of the Three Gorges, or known as Sanxia Family Scenic Resort, is a mysterious idyllic land with abundant Ba Culture and Chu Culture. Here, ancient buildings and bridges have been well-preserved, and natives continue their ancient lifestyle. Visitors here will be welcomed with traditional dances and ceremonies that take place in the village.

Three Gorges Summit

• Type: Natural Scenery, Cultural Site
• Best Time: from March to December

Three Gorges Summit is the best place to enjoy a majestic panorama of the Qutang Gorge, the most majestic stretch of the Three Gorges. In each season, the view boasts distinct charm, but November to December is especially stunning, as leaves across the mountains on both sides are dyed red, making the entire world seem ablaze with flames.

Goddess Sky Road

• Type: Natural Scenery, Hiking, Viewing Platform
• Best Time: autumn and winter (especially November to December)

Nestled within the Wu Gorge Shennv Scenic Area in Wushan County, Goddess Sky Road is a remarkable drive. Rising to an average height of over 1,200 meters and stretching for about 12 kilometers, the road twists along steep cliffs and is often enveloped in clouds. Five viewing platforms along the route provide breathtaking vistas of the Yangtze River, the iconic Goddess Peak, and the vibrant red leaves of Wushan.

Ship Lift

• Type: Ship Elevator, Engineering Marvel
• Best Time: all year around

Three Gorges Dam Ship Lift, or called Three Gorges Dam Ship Elevator, is not only the largest but also the most sophisticated ship lift in the world. With the help of Ship Lift, the travelling time of ships over the Three Gorges Dam has been shortened to mere 40 minutes around from its past 3 hours!

Shennongjia National Park

• Type: Natural Reserve, Ecological & Cultural Site
• Best Time: all year round

Shennongjia is where Shennong (Yan Emperor), one of the two ancestors of Chinese people, tasted hundreds of herbs and thus promoted traditional Chinese medicine. It's known for well-preserved ecological environment and rich biodiversity, including a vast array of rare plants and animals. This park also features stunning natural landscapes, awaiting your discovery.

Shennv Stream

• Type: Natural Scenery, Small Boat Experience
• Best Time: all year around

Shennv Stream is also called Goddess Stream. As its name implies, there are interesting legends and stories! However, besides the legends, the natural scenery there is also extraordinary. During the shore excursion to explore Shennv Stream, you will also have chance to see the mysterious Hanging Coffins near the top of the hillsides!

Feng Yan San Guo Show

• Type: Night Show, Real Landscape Show
• Best Time: all year around

Feng Yan San Guo Show (War Fire of Three Kingdoms Show) is a large-scale landscape show taking the magnificent real Three Gorges as performing stage! It is a cultural show demonstrating the brilliant historical culture of the Three Kingdoms Period and the spirit of loyalty of great military officer Guan Yu!

Shibaozhai Pagoda

• Type: Cultural Site, Architectural Marvel
• Best Time: all year around

Shibaozhai Pagoda, or known as Shibaozhai Temple or Shibaozhai Tower, is settled on a small island in Zhongxian County, Chongqing. This 12-story elegant building leaning the hill has long been reputed as one of the gems of Chinese Architectures because of its extraordinary design without using any nail!

Lesser Three Gorges

• Type: Natural Site, Small Boat Experience
• Best Time: all year around

Lesser Three Gorges is known as a resplendent pearl of the Three Gorges area. When weather and river condition allow, Yangtze River cruise travelers will have chance to experience a small sightseeing ship journey here. With the ship journey going deeper, you will get into a secret world that others may hard to go!

Shennong Stream

• Type: Natural Site, Small Boat Experience
• Best Time: all year around

On the border between Wu Gorge and Xiling Gorge is the Shennong Stream. Known as the “Jade Waterway of the Three Gorges”, Shennong Stream is one of the most beautiful tributaries of Yangtze River. It is only accessible by local small boat shaped like a “pea horn”!

Ship Lock

• Type: Engineering Marvel
• Best Time: all year around

Three Gorges Dame Five-steps Ship Lock is one of the world’s largest ship locks. It helps large ships complete a “smooth transfer” for ascend or descend 40 stories in five separate stages. When take shore excursions to the Three Gorges Dam, every traveler will appreciate the world-class Ship Lock up close too.

Baiheliang Museum

• Type: Museum, Archaeological Site
• Best Time: all year around

Baiheliang Underwater Museum, or called White Crane Ridge Underwater Museum, is an archaeological site submerged under 43 meter water. It displays some of the world’s oldest hydrological inscriptions, recording 1,200 years of changes in the water level of the Yangtze River in the north of the Fuling District of the Chongqing Municipality.

816 Nuclear Project

• Type: Historic Site
• Best Time: all year around

A tour to explore 816 Nuclear Project is indeed exhilarating! Here, you will not only meet with the world’s largest human-made tunnel structure, but also excellent design of nuclear project! Stepping inside is somewhat more like visiting a future world than an old world, because there are edgy lighting and space design!

Wuyuan Cave

• Type: Karst Landscape, Rafting
• Best Time: spring, summer and autumn

Located in Badong County, Hubei Province, Wuyuan Cave is a renowned scenic area that combines natural beauty with historical and cultural significance. The cave, formed over 300 million years ago, stretches approximately 2,000 meters and features unique stalactite formations. Inside, visitors can embark on a thrilling adventure by boat, exploring the mysterious underground world.

Fengdu Snow Jade Cave

• Type: Karst Cave, Landscape
• Best Time: all year around

A newly discovered geological marvel that geology and landform enthusiasts won't want to miss. It is the youngest and still-growing typical Karst cave in China. Featuring 80% of its stalactites as pure white as snow and naturally shaped into diverse forms, the cave holds significant aesthetic and scientific value.

Quyuan Temple

• Type: Cultural & Historic Site
• Best Time: all year around

Only 4 kilometers around west of Three Gorges Dam, there sits a vital cultural site at the river bank, namely Quyuan Temple. Quyuan is a great patriotic poet as well as a great statesman in Chinese history. UNESCO also listed him as a one of the World Famous Cultural People in 1953.

Mini Three Gorges

• Type: Natural Scenery
• Best Time: all year around

Similar to Lesser Three Gorges, large ships are not available to cruise Mini Three Gorges. Passengers will disembark the larger ship and embark on smaller boats for a beautiful trip though the canyons. During the way, you will appreciate not only amazing canyon scenery, but also Ancient Shu Road hanging on the cliff!

Shuanggui Mountain

• Type: Mountain
• Best Time: all year around

The Shuanggui Mountain National Forest Park (also known as Luming Mountain) is located on the bank of the Yangtze River in the northwest of Fengdu County, Chongqing. Primeval forest, spectacular canyon, historic temples, fresh air and the ancient legends are somewhat the best gifts for visitors touring this place.

Mt. Wuling Great Rift Valley

• Type: Natural Scenery, Valley
• Best Time: from March to December

Mt. Wuling Great Rift Valley is situated in Wuling Mountain Township, 40 kilometers southeast of Fuling District, Chongqing. With elevations up to 1,980 meters, the area is known for its canyons and karst landscapes. Its clean air and natural beauty make it an ideal spot for summer retreats and year-round relaxation.

Return to The Three Gorges

• Type: Live-action Performance
• Best Time: all year around

Return to Three Gorges Show (Gui Lai San Xia) is the newest created on-site live performance! The show, directed by famous award-winning director Zhang Yimou, is performed at the foot of White Emperor City, with the beautiful Yangtze River and Three Gorges as the background and stunning Chinese poetry culture as theme.

Sacred Place of Taoism

• Type: Cultural & Historic Site
• Best Time: all year around

The Sacred Place of Taoism Scenic Area sits close to Fengdu Ghost City. It is part of the “Heaven and Hell” world. This sacred place is mainly featured a 100-foot-tall statue depicting the Jade Emperor, an important deity in Chinese Taoism. Besides that, there are more than 200 additional Taoist and Buddhist sculptures!

Gezhou Dam

• Type: Engineering Marvel
• Best Time: all year around

Gezhou Dam is located at the lower end of the Three Gorges in the suburbs of Yichang City, Hubei Province, 38 kilometers away from the Three Gorges Dam. It is adjacent to the Xiling Gorge. All the ships following the long cruise routes will visit it and have a unique experience here!

Chinese Sturgeon Museum

• Type: Museum
• Best Time: all year around

The Chinese Sturgeon (中华鲟) is a member of the family Acipenseridae and the order Acipenseriformes. It is thought to have lived at the same time as dinosaurs, dating back to a period 140 million years ago. Because of that, it is sometimes also known as a living fossil. It is an animal strictly protected by the Chinese government, named a "national treasure" much like its mammalian counterpart, the Giant Panda.

More Panorama Yangtze Cruise Shore Excursions (Chongqing Shanghai Line)

Jingzhou Ancient City Wall

• Type: Cultural Site
• Best Time: all year around

Situated in Jingzhou City, Hubei Province, the Jingzhou Ancient City Wall is among the best-preserved ancient fortifications in China, with a history spanning over 2,800 years. As a national key cultural heritage site, it stands as a testament to Jingzhou's profound historical and cultural legacy.

Jingzhou Museum

• Type: Museum
• Best Time: all year around

Jingzhou Museum is a major museum known for its rich collection of cultural and archaeological relics. The museum showcases exquisite Warring States Period lacquerware, such as the famous Tiger-Seated Bird Stand Drum, as well as 2,000-year-old male mummy, and ancient bamboo slips.

The Chariot and Horse Mausoleum of the King of Chu

• Type: Archaeological Site
• Best Time: all year around

The Chu King's Mausoleum is a significant archaeological site located in Jingzhou, Hubei Province. It is renowned for its large chariot and horse pits, which have yielded 43 chariots and 164 horses. The site also features well-preserved tombs and a rich collection of artifacts, including jade wares and lacquerware.

Yellow Crane Tower

• Type: Cultural Site, Architecture
• Best Time: all year around

The Yellow Crane Tower, located in Wuhan, Hubei Province, is one of China's most famous historical landmarks and a national 5A scenic spot. This iconic building offers stunning views of the Yangtze River and the city of Wuhan. Its unique architecture, with a design resembling a soaring crane, features intricate carvings and traditional Chinese elements.

Hubei Provincial Museum

• Type: Museum
• Best Time: all year around

The Hubei Provincial Museum, located in Wuhan, is one of China's premier museums, renowned for its extensive collection of over 200,000 cultural relics. Key highlights include the Sword of Goujian, the Chime Bells from the Tomb of Marquis Yi of Zeng, and the well-preserved artifacts from the Chu culture.

Lushan Mountain

• Type: UNESCO Heritage Site
• Best Time: spring, summer and autumn

Lushan Scenic Area, located in Jiangxi Province, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. Key highlights include the majestic Three Tiled Waterfall and the Five Old Men Peaks, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. The area is also famous for its historical significance, with landmarks like the Bailudong Academy, one of China's oldest academies.

Jingdezhen Town

• Type: Cultural Site
• Best Time: all year around

Jingdezhen Taoyangli Scenic Area is a historic and cultural district located in the heart of Jingdezhen, known as China's "Porcelain Capital." It features over 108 ancient alleyways, Ming and Qing dynasty kilns, and a rich ceramic heritage dating back over 400 years. The area is renowned for its well-preserved ancient kilns, traditional workshops, and the Imperial Kiln Museum.

Jindizang Temple

• Type: Cultural Site
• Best Time: all year around

The area is renowned for the 99-meter-tall bronze statue of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva (Jin Di Cang), which is the world's tallest. The statue, completed in 2009, features a serene and compassionate expression, facing west with a wish-fulfilling jewel in its left hand and a staff in its right.

Mount Jiuhua

• Type: Buddhist Mountain
• Best Time: from March to November

Mount Jiuhua in Anhui Province is one of the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains in China, together with Mount Wutai in Shanxi, Mount Putuo in Zhejiang and Mount Emei in Sichuan. Sometimes you may have chance to visit this sacred mountain if you take a Yangtze River cruise on the in-depth Chongqing Shanghai cruise line!

Niushou Mountain

• Type: Cultural Site
• Best Time: all year around

Niushou Mountain in Nanjing is a cultural and natural site known for its Buddhist heritage and beautiful architecture. Key highlights include the Foding Temple, which houses a Buddha relic, and the Foding Pagoda. The area is also famous for its stunning natural beauty, especially in autumn.

Slender West Lake

• Type: Natural Site, Park
• Best Time: all year around

The Slender West Lake Scenic Area, located in Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, is renowned for its beautiful natural landscapes and rich cultural heritage. The area is also famous for its classical gardens, which blend seamlessly with the lake's serene waters and lush surroundings.

Shore Excursion Arrangement of Different Cruise Companies

The itineraries of different cruise companies such as Century Cruises, Victoria Cruises, Yangzi Explorer, Changjiang Cruises, etc., vary from each other slightly. Please check the details before book the ideal cruise. Here are the different shore excursions of different cruise for your reference (they may be changed, please get the real-time info from your travel consultant).

Yangtze River Cruise Shore Excursions Advice & Tips

Please note: If the excursion site is marked with "Upstream", it means only the upstream cruise ships go to the site. If the excursion site is marked with "Downstream", it means only the downstream cruise ships go to the site. For more shore excursion suggestions, you can keep reading our Shore Excursion Advice & Tips.

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