Choosing a CruisePICK A SHIP
Yangtze Cruise Cabin Types Explained
Yangtze cruise cabins come as inside, ocean-view, balcony and suites. Here is what each offers,…
Small vs Large Yangtze Cruise Ships
Yangtze cruises range from small ships of about 150 guests to large ones of several hundred. Co…
Yangtze Cruise with Kids: Family Guide
Cruising the Yangtze with children comes down to family facilities, dining and how accessible t…
Luxury Yangtze Cruise: Yangzi Explorer & Top Picks
For a top-tier experience, the Yangzi Explorer is the recognized luxury choice on the Yangtze.…
Yangtze Cruises with the Best English Service
Worried about the language barrier? Here are the Yangtze brands with the strongest English serv…
Victoria Cruises vs Century Cruises: Which to Choose
Victoria and Century are the two brands foreign travellers compare most on the Yangtze. A five-…
Best Yangtze Cruise for Foreigners 2026: How to Choose
Choosing a Yangtze cruise as a foreigner starts with English service and international experien…
How to Choose a Huaxia Goddess Cruise Ship
Goddess No. 2, No. 3 and No. 5 compared — theme-culture ships with mid-range budgets and family appeal.
Yangzi Explorer Review: The Top-Tier Cruise Experience Explained
The recognized top cruise on the Yangtze: a crew-to-guest ratio approaching 1:1, only 148 guests fully loaded, Shennongjia route and ship-lift passage.
How to Choose a Yangtze Gold Cruise: Gold No. 2 · 3 · 5 · 6 · 8 Compared
Yangtze Gold No. 2, 3, 5, 6 and 8 compared, plus the series' big-ship value points.
How to Choose a President Cruise: No. 2 · 6 · 7 · 8 Compared & Family Travel Guide
President No. 2, 6, 7 and 8 compared by ship age, positioning and route features, with family travel highlights.
First Time on a Three Gorges Cruise: Complete Guide from Booking to Disembarkation
A timeline from booking to disembarkation: documents, budget, boarding day and onboard life for first-timers.
How to Choose a Century Cruise: Victory · Glory · Oasis · Dream · Voyage · Legend Compared
Century Victory, Glory, Oasis, Dream, Voyage and Legend compared by ship age, positioning and route features.
How to Choose a Three Gorges Cruise: 5-Step Method & 9 Major Brands
A 5-step method for choosing a Three Gorges cruise: set your budget, pick the direction and trip length, choose a tier, then a room type.
Routes & ItinerariesROUTES
Yangtze Cruise plus Chengdu and Xi'an: Best Route Order
Combining a Yangtze cruise with Chengdu's pandas and Xi'an's terracotta army comes down to entr…
Wuhan to Chongqing Long Yangtze Cruise: Transit the Five Locks
The Wuhan-Chongqing long cruise runs about 8-9 days and takes your own ship through the Gezhoub…
Chongqing 3-Day Short Yangtze Cruise: What You Actually See
A 3-day/2-night Yangtze cruise usually runs Chongqing to Fengjie, Wushan or Maoping, with a coa…
Three Gorges Shore Excursions: A Guide for Foreigners
Fengdu, Shibaozhai, White Emperor City, Goddess Stream and the Three Gorges Dam: what is includ…
Three Gorges Dam Ship Lift: A Guide for Foreign Visitors
The ship lift raises vessels about 113 metres in roughly 40-60 minutes, while the five-stage lo…
Upstream vs Downstream Yangtze Cruise
Yangtze cruises run upstream (Yichang–Chongqing) or downstream (Chongqing–Yichang). Compare tim…
Yichang to Chongqing 5 Days 4 Nights Itinerary
Upstream (Yichang to Chongqing) over 5 days 4 nights is slower against the current but more rel…
Chongqing to Yichang 4 Days 3 Nights Itinerary
The most popular Yangtze route: board at Chongqing's Chaotianmen, sail via Fengdu and the Lesse…
Dry-Season Boarding: Transfers & Dam Detours Explained
When winter/spring water levels fall below standard: why transfers and dam detours happen, and what to expect.
Shore Excursions Guide: Fengdu, Baidicheng, Lesser Three Gorges & More
A complete guide to shore excursions: Fengdu Ghost City, Baidicheng, the Lesser Three Gorges/Shennong Stream and more.
Three Gorges Dam, Five-Stage Ship Locks & Ship Lift Explained
How the five-stage ship lock works, its 113-meter water-level drop, and dam bypass vs passing on the ship's own hull.
Long-Distance Cruises: Chongqing–Wuhan/Shanghai — Worth It?
Are Chongqing–Wuhan/Shanghai long routes (6 days or more) worth taking? Route features and who they suit.
Yichang–Chongqing 5-Day 4-Night Upstream Itinerary
The upstream (Yichang→Chongqing) 5-day 4-night cruise in full: boarding at Zigui Port, the Three Gorges Dam, Shennong Stream and more.
Chongqing–Yichang 4-Day 3-Night Downstream Itinerary
The downstream (Chongqing→Yichang) 4-day 3-night cruise in full: evening boarding at Chaotianmen, Fengdu Ghost City and the gorges.
Upstream vs Downstream: How to Choose Your Cruise Direction
Upstream (Yichang→Chongqing, 5 days 4 nights) vs downstream (Chongqing→Yichang, 4 days 3 nights): prices, pace, lock passage and how to choose.
Travellers & BudgetsWHO & HOW MUCH
Solo Travel on a Yangtze Cruise: Sharing, Supplements and Savings
Cruising the Yangtze alone is straightforward once you understand cabin sharing and the single…
Solo Cruise Travel: Cabin Sharing & Charter Guide
Traveling alone: what the single supplement is, sharing/charter/extra-bed options, and solo booking essentials.
Over RMB 10,000: Planning a Top-Tier Cruise Experience
A top-tier plan for budgets over RMB 10,000 per person: Yangzi Explorer, suites and VIP dining, and Chongqing–Shanghai long-route combinations.
RMB 5,000 Value-for-Money Plan
A value-for-money RMB 5,000-per-person plan: going straight to new-flagship ships in the RMB 4,000-8,000 tier.
Three Gorges on an RMB 3,000 Budget
An RMB 3,000-per-person plan: how to choose in the RMB 1,500-2,500 tier and where the value is.
Honeymoon & Couples Cruise Recommendations
For couples and honeymooners: balcony cabins, executive suites, VIP dining and night-viewing tips.
Family Cruise with Kids: Three Gorges Cruise Guide
Taking kids on a cruise: child fare standards, extra bed vs two rooms, kids' facilities and onboard safety.
Three Gorges Cruise with Elderly Parents: Complete Guide for Seniors
Cruising with elderly parents: health and accompaniment requirements, room and pace choices, and accessible facilities.
Practical & SeasonsPRACTICAL
Common Misconceptions about Three Gorges Cruises
Six common misconceptions — tonnage, decks, price, room types, buying tickets and payment — debunked one by one.
Refunds, Changes & Travel Insurance Pitfalls
Cancellation fee tiers, stricter rules for special sailings, missed-ship handling, insurance advice and a pitfall checklist.
Winter Three Gorges Cruise Guide
Low-season prices (January and March usually cheapest), Spring Festival sailings, dry-season transfers and down-jacket packing.
Autumn Three Gorges Red Leaves Guide
September-October peak season; the best red leaves from late November to early December, with the Wu Gorge Goddess Peak belt most spectacular.
Summer Three Gorges Cruise Guide
June-August shoulder season: better prices, spectacular high-water gorges, sun and rain protection, family holidays.
Spring Three Gorges Cruise Guide
Cruises resume in March-April; mild weather and mountain flowers, peak season after April 15, layered packing advice.
Getting to Zigui Port & Yichang Transfers
Getting to Zigui Port: the free shuttle from Yichang East Station and the Three Gorges Visitor Center, taxi reference fares, boarding times.
Getting to Chaotianmen Pier, Chongqing
How to get to Chaotianmen Pier: location by the two rivers, airport and rail-station transfers, piers 1-17.
Foreign Visitors' Guide to Three Gorges Cruises
For foreign visitors: passport and valid Chinese visa requirements, fare differences by region and how to book.
Hong Kong / Macao / Taiwan Travellers: Documents & Booking
For Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan travellers: permits, documents and booking essentials.
Contact Us
After browsing the guides, for sailing schedules, group quotations, or cabin recommendations, feel free to contact a Three Gorges Cruise Center consultant at any time.
You can also click "Online Consultation" at the bottom of the page to chat with a consultant in real time.