Yangtze Explorer


Yangtze Explorer (also called Yangzi Explorer) under Sanctuary Retreats is the most luxury, and the only super 5-star ship on the Yangtze River. Carrying only 124 passengers, it offers the finest and the most personalized one-on-one service (highest crew to passenger ratio on the river of 1:1) to ensure every level of comfort for an intimate cruising experience.
Top Highlights of 2021:
New and Innovative Discovery: the only Yangtze cruise taking you to explore world unique 816 Nuclear Military Plant, amazing White Crane Ridge Underwater Museum, etc.
Cruise Route:
- 3N & 4D Chongqing - Yichang Cruise
- 4N & 5D Yichang - Chongqing Cruise
- 4N & 5D Special Summer Cruise with Shennongjia (Special offer only on July 26th and August 9th in 2020)

Yangtze Explorer Cruise Ship Itinerary in 2021

Map of Yangtze Explorer's Itinerary
Embarkation
- Highlights of Today
-
- Board the ship at Chaotianmen Dock in Chongqing at 17:00-22:00;
- Have a drink at Explorer Bar and appreciate the stunning night view of Chongqing;
- Welcome safety briefing;
- Depart from Chongqing at around 22:00.
- Dining
- A la carte diner (Optional; CNY 300/pp)
Yangtze River Cruise
- Highlights of Today
-
- Shore excursion to:
Option A (816 Nuclear Military Plant) in Fuling (Included)
(It is the world largest artificial cave and the hidden mysterious unveiled structure of the real nuclear plant)
OR
Option B (Baiheliang Underwater Museum + local market) in Fuling (Included)
(Carving fishes as the water gauge on the ridge recording the water level changes of over 1200 years, it is the only place using such great method in the whole world and praised as the World First Ancient hydrologic station by the UNESCO);
- Have fun on Captain’s Welcome Reception with songs, dances, drinks and snacks;
- Enjoy night performance of Feng Yan San Guo Show in Zhongxian County (Optional; CNY 290/pp);
(It is the marvelous large-scale real landscape show about the brilliant historical culture of the Three Kingdoms Period about over 1,800 year ago and the spirit of loyalty of great military officer Guan Yu.)
- Shore excursion to:
- Entertaiment Onboard
-
- Learn to play Tai Chi in early morning;
- Band performance at the bar
- Dining
- Breakfast (Chinese & Western Buffet); Lunch (A la carte); Dinner (Chinese & Western buffet); Morning tea & coffee
Yangtze River Cruise
- Highlights of Today
-
(Valid during Apr.2 ~ May 31 and Sep.10 ~ Nov.29 in 2020)
- Sail through Qutang Gorge (Included)
(Qutang Gorge is the shortest, most dramatic and magnificent gorge among the three gorges and lets you admire the view of Kuimen Gate printed on the 10 RMB Chinese Note.);
- Sail through Wu Gorge (Included)
(Wu Gorge is deep and pretty with rising peaks, peculiar rocks, rolling cutting cliffs making a picturesque winding gallery boasting abundant natural wonders.);
- Shore excursion to Shennong Stream to visit Bamboo Gorge and Trackers’ Village (Included);
(Cruise visitors’ top favored place to seek the top best primitive and tranquil sceneries along Yangtze. You will ride the joyous local “peapod” boat to discover deeper into the serenity and the real village of local trackers to see their dwelling houses and daily life.)
- Sail through Xiling Gorge (Included);
(Xiling Gorge is the longest gorge among the three with most stunning landscapes along the shoals and rapid flow. Due to the port change to Maoping Port, you can only pass the western half part of Xiling Gorge.)
- A Taste of China Farewell Dinner.
- Sail through Qutang Gorge (Included)
- Highlights of Today
-
(Valid during Mar. 26 ~ Mar. 29 and Jun. 4 ~ Sep. 6 in 2020)
- Shore excursion to White Emperor City in Fengjie County (Optional; CNY 290/pp)
(Famous Chinese Ancient “Poem City” mentioned in about 1,400 Chinese poems. It tells the touching story of Liu Bei entrusting his son to his prime minister, Zhuge Liang and has the best location to admire Kuimen Gate of Qutang Gorge.)
- Sail through Qutang Gorge (Included);
(Qutang Gorge is the shortest, most dramatic and magnificent gorge among the three gorges and lets you admire the view of Kuimen Gate printed on the 10 RMB Chinese Note.)
- Sail through Wu Gorge (Included)
(Wu Gorge is deep and pretty with rising peaks, peculiar rocks, rolling cutting cliffs making a picturesque winding gallery boasting abundant natural wonders.)
- Shore excursion to Shennong Stream to visit Bamboo Gorge (Included)
(Cruise visitors’ top favored place to seek the top best primitive and tranquil sceneries along Yangtze with the joyous experience of riding a local “peapod” boat to discover deeper into the serenity.)
- A Taste of China Farewell Dinner
- Shore excursion to White Emperor City in Fengjie County (Optional; CNY 290/pp)
- Entertaiment Onboard
-
- Learn to practice Tai Chi with onboard doctor in early morning;
- Band performance at the bar
- Dining
- Breakfast (Chinese & Western Buffet); Lunch (Chinese & Western buffet); Dinner (A la carte); Morning tea & coffee; Complimentary coffee, tea & pastries in the afternoon
Disembarkation
- Highlights of Today
-
- Ship disembarkation at Maoping Port at 07:30;
- Optional experience of Three Gorges Dam Ship Lift (CNY 350/pp);
(It is the largest and the most sophisticated ship lift in the whole world with the lifting height of about 113 meters.)
- Shore excursion to Three Gorges Dam (Included);
(It is the world largest hydroelectric station and the biggest dam project in the whole China contributing a lot to the flood control, electricity generation, shipping, etc. and is the No.2 essence of a Yangtze River cruise trip.)
- Bus riding to Yichang downtown for leaving.
- Entertaiment Onboard
-
- Learn to play Tai Chi in early morning;
- Dining
- Breakfast (Chinese & Western buffet); Morning tea & coffee
Embarkation
- Highlights of Today
-
- Take the arranged tourist bus in Yichang and board the ship at Maoping Port at 17:00;
- Have a drink at Explorer Bar and enjoy the peaceful night;
- Welcome safety briefing.
- Dining
- A la carte diner (Optional; CNY 300/pp)
Yangtze River Cruise
- Highlights of Today
-
- Optional experience of Three Gorges Dam Ship Lift (CNY 350/pp);
(It is the largest and the most sophisticated ship lift in the whole world with the lifting height of about 113 meters.)
- Optional shore excursion to Tribe of Three Gorge (CNY 290/pp);
(It is one of the best complimented scenic spots by foreign cruise visitors and is superb to get close to the particularly tranquil, primitive and nice sightseeing of villages on water, on mountain and off brook with fine exploration of interesting folk custom of Tujia minority people.)
- Shore excursion to Three Gorges Dam (Included);
(It is the world largest hydroelectric station and the biggest dam project in the whole China contributing a lot to the flood control, electricity generation, shipping, etc. and is the No.2 essence of a Yangtze River cruise trip.)
- Enjoy Captain’s Welcome Reception.
- Optional experience of Three Gorges Dam Ship Lift (CNY 350/pp);
- Entertaiment Onboard
-
- Learn to play Tai Chi in early morning;
- Band performance at the bar
- Dining
- Breakfast (Chinese & Western buffet); Lunch (Chinese & Western buffet); Dinner (A la carte); Morning tea & coffee; Complimentary coffee, tea & pastries in the afternoon
Yangtze River Cruise
- Highlights of Today
-
(Valid during Mar.29 ~ May 28 and Sep.6 ~ Nov.12 in 2020)
- Shore excursion to Shennong Stream to visit Bamboo Gorge and Trackers’ Village (Included);
(Cruise visitors’ top favored place to seek the top best primitive and tranquil sceneries along Yangtze. You will ride the joyous local “peapod” boat to discover deeper into the serenity and the real village of local trackers to see their dwelling houses and daily life.)
- Sail through Wu Gorge (Included);
(Wu Gorge is deep and pretty with rising peaks, peculiar rocks, rolling cutting cliffs making a picturesque winding gallery boasting abundant natural wonders.)
- Sail through Qutang Gorge (Included).
(Qutang Gorge is the shortest, most dramatic and magnificent gorge among the three gorges and lets you admire the view of Kuimen Gate printed on the 10 RMB Chinese Note.);
- A Taste of China Farewell Dinner.
- Shore excursion to Shennong Stream to visit Bamboo Gorge and Trackers’ Village (Included);
- Highlights of Today
-
(Valid during Mar. 8 ~ Mar. 12 and May 31 ~ Sep. 3 in 2020)
- Shore excursion to Shennong Stream to visit Bamboo Gorge (Included);
(Cruise visitors’ top favored place to seek the top best primitive and tranquil sceneries along Yangtze with the joyous experience of riding a local “peapod” boat to discover deeper into the serenity.)
- Sail through Wu Gorge (Included);
(Wu Gorge is deep and pretty with rising peaks, peculiar rocks, rolling cutting cliffs making a picturesque winding gallery boasting abundant natural wonders.)
- Sail through Qutang Gorge (Included).
(Qutang Gorge is the shortest, most dramatic and magnificent gorge among the three gorges and lets you admire the view of Kuimen Gate printed on the 10 RMB Chinese Note.);
- Shore excursion to White Emperor City in Fengjie County (Optional; CNY 290/pp);
(Famous Chinese Ancient “Poem City” mentioned in about 1,400 Chinese poems. It tells the touching story of Liu Bei entrusting his son to his prime minister, Zhuge Liang and has the best location to admire Kuimen Gate of Qutang Gorge.)
- A Taste of China Farewell Dinner.
- Shore excursion to Shennong Stream to visit Bamboo Gorge (Included);
- Entertaiment Onboard
-
- Learn to play Tai Chi in early morning;
- Band performance at the bar
- Dining
- Breakfast (Chinese & Western buffet); Lunch (Chinese & Western buffet); Dinner (A la carte); Morning tea & coffee; Complimentary coffee, tea & pastries in the afternoon
Yangtze River Cruise
- Highlights of Today
-
- Shore excursion to:
Option A (816 Nuclear Military Plant) in Fuling (Included)
(It is the world largest artificial cave and the hidden mysterious unveiled structure of the real nuclear plant)
OR
Option B (Baiheliang Underwater Museum + local market) in Fuling (Included)
(Carving fishes as the water gauge on the ridge recording the water level changes of over 1200 years, it is the only place using such great method in the whole world and praised as the World First Ancient hydrologic station by the UNESCO);
- A Taste of China Farewell Dinner.
- Shore excursion to:
- Entertaiment Onboard
-
- Learn to play Tai Chi in early morning;
- Band performance at the bar
- Dining
- Breakfast (Chinese & Western buffet); Lunch (Chinese & Western buffet); Dinner (A la carte); Morning tea & coffee; Complimentary coffee, tea & pastries in the afternoon
Disembarkation
- Highlights of Today
-
- Ship disembarkation at Chaotianmen Dock in Chongqing at 08:00-08:45.
- Entertaiment Onboard
-
- Learn to play Tai Chi in early morning;
- Dining
- Breakfast (Chinese & Western buffet); Morning tea & coffee
- Subject to Change:
Please note that all arrival and departure times, shore excursions and lectures are subject to change due to weather, river conditions and permission from the navigational authorities. The cruise company will arrange the same fabulous sightseeing if the prearranged sites cannot be visited in a particular case.
- Embarkation Tips:
(a) Please call the ship one day ahead or at least in the morning on the boarding day to have clear idea about which pier you are going to use; (b) It is better to arrive in Chongqing before 16:30 on the embarkation day; (c) There are 14 sub-pier of Chongqing Chaotianmen Port. As the car/taxi driver can only stop the car at the entrance of the port, you need to walk to your exact pier. Usually, it needs about 180 meters (about 3 minutes) to the nearest No.9 Dock, about 180-680 meters (about 3-8 minutes) to No.7, No.5, No.3 and No.1 Docks, and about 680-850 meters (about 8-10 minutes) to the No.2, No.4, No.6, No.8 and No.10 Docks from the east side, via the edge of the port to the west side; (d) The boarding time and departure piers may change based on the ship line, water level, season, weather and other factors. Please pay attention to the important info your travel consultants sent to you before your boarding.
- Disembarkation Tips:
(a) You can choose to sail through the world’s largest ship lift - Three Gorges Dam Ship Lift to very closely marvel at the huge dam which is a totally fresh and exciting experience for travelers. (b) No matter you take Ship Lift or not, you’ll do check out procedure in this early morning. (c) Only dam visiting: you’ll take bus from Maoping Port to Three Gorges Dam for sightseeing. You’ll arrive in Yichang Banshan Hotel at downtown around 12:00. (d) Dam & Ship Lift Experience: travelers who are interested in Ship Lift will first switch to a sightseeing boat to sail through the Ship Lift and then visit Three Gorges Dam Site. You’ll arrive in Yichang downtown area around 13:30. (e) Luggage Consigning for Chongqing - Yichang Disembarkation: For the national policy about the security of the Three Gorges Dam Project, no large luggage (exceeding 20cm*40cm*50cm or 5kg) is allowed to be taken into Three Gorges Dam scenic area. You could consign your luggage to Yichang Three Gorges Center Cruise Terminal and get the luggage consigning document from the cruise staff on the 4th cruising day morning and gather it after you are in Yichang downtown by showing that document. The service is offered by the cruise company and needs extra charge of 25RMB for each piece of luggage.
- Arranged Shore Excursion:
The ARRANGED shore excursions are included in your quotation, so you could visit the sites without extra charge. However, if you do not visit the sites, the fees of arranged shore excursion sites are not refunded. If you do not visit the shore excursions, you could stay on the ship to enjoy some leisure time. And for your safety, you are not allowed to leave your ship on your own.
- Optional Shore Excursions:
The OPTIONAL shore excursion needs extra charge. The optional sites will be visited depending on the number of travelers who want to go. You can visit if there are 30 or more people interested (the number of visitors may be adjusted based on the real situation). You have the final decision where to go or not on your own. If yes, tell the reception desk who would register for you and receive your pay in site.
- Special Routes to Inspire You:
Apart from the normal itinerary mentioned above, there is also a special route offered for Yangtze Explorer visitors to enjoy the primitive Shennongjia Scenic Area, rare wild golden monkeys and other highlights in the July and August of 2020. Please check detailed itinerary of 2021 special routes of Yangtze Explorer cruise.
- Physical Demands:
There are many stairs to climb up to Fengdu Ghost City and reach the top of Shibaozhai Pagoda / White Emperor City. Comfortable shoes are highly recommended to visit these sites.
- Chongqing / Yichang Local Transportation:
To know detailed transportation in Chongqing and Yichang, please head to How to Get to/Leave Yangtze Cruise Ports in Chongqing and Yichang.
- Dressing Code for Parties:
Travelers who attend the Captain's Welcome Reception, Yangtze Pirate Night Show should wear smart casual or formal.
- More Travel Guide & Support:
To know more details your life onboard, like cabins, dining, drinking, service, onboard activities and lectures, please head to Yangtze River Cruise Guide 2021. You’ll find everything here.
Schedule of Yangtze Explorer
- Jan.
- Feb.
- Mar.
- Apr.
- May.
- June.
- July.
- Aug.
- Sept.
- Oct.
- Nov.
- Dec.
- The above price range is based on a standard cabin for twin sharing.
- The prices are valid by Dec.31 of the year.
- Please enquiry for the exact price according to your nationality, cruising time and cruising route.
- Please quote us for the price may change during China's Golden Week (the first week of October) and Spring Festival.
- Limited winter schedules may be adjusted into other dates, cruise ships, etc. based on the arrangement of the cruise company.
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