Three Gorges Cruise

The 4~5 days Three Gorges cruise is a highly “In” way of travel for global visitors, especially during the recent years. As one of the most classic ways to appreciate the natural charm and historical culture of China, you are extremely recommended to take this cruise to have a different leisure holiday. So read more about the highlights along the sailing, popular cruise routes, and best cruise ships for your trip planning.

Three Gorges Cruise Highlights

Luxury Onboard Experience

Being the only river in China that offers multi-days’ cruise trips, Yangtze River never let its visitors down. Almost all the ships cruising on Yangtze River are in luxury 5 star. And there are even super luxury Yangtze Explorer for travelers to choose.

All the cruise ships are perfectly designed to keep passengers entertained, so fun abound, reading rooms as well as Spa rooms. Some ships even offer a swimming pool onboard. Everyone will find something interesting onboard, because there are not only extraordinary entertainment facilities but also colorful activities. Parties, ethnic shows, Tachi exercise, Chinese painting lectures… There are a lot! The meals are perfectly prepared. No matter you are vegetarian or Chinese food lovers, you will love it. Service onboard is also excellent. From careful room service to sweet dinning service by your side, every moment onboard a Yangtze River cruise ship will be enjoyable.

Check What to Expect Onboard >>

Shore Excursion Sites

What to see and experience during the Three Gorges cruise sailing? A lot! The Three Gorges, the dam, and a bunch of wonderful shore excursions are well arranged to enrich your days in China.

When it comes to cruise Yangtze River, Three Gorges, of course, is the must-see and best highlight. The magnificent scenery of “high hills and flat river” makes it an inspiration of multiple famous ancient poets in China. Consisting of Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge and Xiling Gorge, the Three Gorges is special and wonderful also with the winding and twisting river path, gorgeous natural sightseeing during different months, and beautiful stories and legends, which makes it one of the 10 most beautiful sites in China. Amazing like a picturesque photo gallery, the gorges absolutely will provide the best visual feast for a vacation.

Besides the Three Gorges, there are still a lot to experience! The Three Gorges Dam is the world-hitting largest hydro power dam project with fine view surrounding. Also, take it slowly to admire the strange building of Shibaozhai Pagoda, interesting history of Fengdu Ghost City, touching story of White Emperor City, enchanting sightseeing of Shennong Stream and Shennv Stream, etc.

Check All Shore Excursion Sites >>

Three Gorges Cruise

Three Gorges Cruise

Three Gorges Dam Flood Discharge

Family Suite Onboard Century Glory

Three Gorges Cruise Ships

In 2025/2026, there are over 20 Three Gorges cruise ships for your appreciation of the magnificent Three Gorges. As these ships are well facilitated with equipment and amenities of high qualities and outstandingly managed with strict principles, and also thoughtfully serve guests for their various needs, people onboard would have a wonderful holiday. For your cruising, here we recommend some top cruise ships which have received many great feedbacks and reputations from our guests and travelers online. Please check them at below.

Hot Three Gorges Cruise Ships 2025/2026

Three Gorges Cruise Routes

There are several cruise routes for you to choose. Among all Three Gorges routes, we recommend the best two routes between Chongqing and Yichang selected by about 95% of Yangtze River cruise travelers, which is reputed as the golden section of the Yangtze River and covers the best highlights.

Map of Chongqing Yichang Cruise Route

4-day Downstream Cruise from Chongqing to Yichang

• Day 1 Board your Ship at Chongqing Chaotianmen Dock
• Day 2~3 Yangtze River Cruises
• Day 4 Yangtze River Cruise & Disembark at Yichang Maoping Dock

Check more about 4-day Chongqing to Yichang Cruise >>

5-day Upstream Cruise from Yichang to Chongqing

• Day 1 Yichang & Board your Ship at Maoping Port
• Day 2~4 Yangtze River Cruise
• Day 5 Arrive in Chongqing & Disembark at Chaotianmen Dock (B)

Check more about 5-day Yichang to Chongqing Cruise >>

Want to know all the cruise route options? Check All Yangtze River Cruise Routes to get more details.

Qutang Gorge

How to Plan a Yangtze River Cruise Tour

Though the ship experience onboard Yangtze River cruises will be extremely leisure and hassle-free, planning such a tour is not easy at all. There are many questions requiring your answers. When to cruising? Downstream or upstream? Which ship company and ship to choose? Where to go before and after the cruise trip?

By time and weather: the best time to experience Yangtze River cruises comes in April, May, September and October, when you will get the most pleasant weather. November is also suggested, because the weather is still good enough for cruising and the price is attractive.

By trip length: The upstream cruise trip from Yichang to Chongqing takes about 5 days, while the downstream trip from Chongqing to Yichang takes about 4 days.

By ship company and ship: there are more than 6 ship companies and more than 28 ships serving on Yangtze River. Prices, features and cruising schedules vary according to different ships. Century Cruises, Victoria Cruises and Yangzi Explorer are our pick of best recommends. If you want more choices, please check all Yangtze River ships to get more idea.

By entire itinerary: If you are going to visit cities close to Chongqing before the cruise trip, like Chengdu, Leshan, Lijiang, Kunming, Guiyang, Lhasa, you are suggested to select the downstream cruises. While if you coming from cities like Wuhan, Zhangjiajie, Guilin, Yangshuo, the upstream journey from Yichang side is more recommended.

Still feel confused? Please feel free to contact us and let us experienced travel consultant help you!

>> How to Plan a Yangtze River Cruise Tour

Hongya Cave in Chongqing

Lovely Panda in Chengdu

Enrich Your Yangtze River Cruise Experience

To enjoy the classic joyous Yangtze River cruise sailing, most people prefer to discover it with more wonderful destinations in China for a richer savory of China’s beautiful nature, culture, history, modern city, and more miracles in one go. No matter you visit China for the first time or more, we highly recommend you plan some days in the famous port city Chongqing and more hot places such as Guilin and Zhangjiajie with amazing landscape and classic destinations including Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Chengdu, etc. before or after your cruising wind down! Select your favorite tour at below to start your vacation! Besides, all our tours are customizable, and we yangtze-river-cruises.com based in Chongqing, China is experienced in tour customization according to interests, needs and budget of our dear customers. So please feel free to contact us for a tailor-made tour if you are interested! Let’s go and explore!

4 Days Chongqing Yangtze Cruise Tour

Chongqing / Yangtze Cruise / Yichang

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6 Days Chongqing, Yangtze River & Zhangjiajie Exciting Tour

Chongqing / Yangtze Cruise / Yichang / Zhangjiajie

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14 Days Amazing China Yangtze Tour with Chengdu Panda

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

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15 Days China Essence Tour from Hong Kong

Hong Kong / Guilin / Yangshuo / Chongqing / Yangtze Cruise / Yichang / Shanghai / Xian / Beijing

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15 Days China Yangtze Tour with Zhangjiajie Landscape & Guilin Karst

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

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10 Days Best of Sichuan Tour with Yangtze River Cruise

Chengdu / Leshan / Emei / Chengdu / Huanglong / Jiuzhaigou / Chongqing / Yangtze Cruise / Yichang

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13 Days Classic China Tour with Yangtze Cruise

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

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17 Days China Tibet Discovery & Yangtze Cruise Tour from Beijing

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

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