Itinerary Overview: Slow Sailing Upstream, In-Depth Three GorgesOVERVIEW
The upstream direction means boarding at Zigui Port in Yichang, sailing against the current, and finally disembarking at Chaotianmen Pier in Chongqing, taking 5 days 4 nights in total. Sailing against the current is slow (about 15-18 km/h), leaving ample daytime sailing hours — the very essence of "cruising the Yangtze slowly."
Compared with downstream, upstream adds one more day and quotes are usually about 10-30% lower (subject to the written confirmation at the time of booking), and it usually includes one additional shore excursion. If this is your first time planning such a trip, we suggest reading Upstream vs Downstream: How to Choose Your Cruise Direction first, then returning to this article.
Before Departure: Gathering and Transfer in YichangGATHER
Zigui Port is about 60 km from downtown Yichang. Upstream travelers generally board at Zigui Port in the early evening of day one (commonly between 18:00 and 22:00). The easiest way from downtown Yichang to Zigui Port is the free transfer coach:
· Boarding points: near the exit of Yichang East Railway Station, or at the Three Gorges Visitor Center (Jiu Matou);
· Departure times: rolling departures generally from 17:30 to 20:30; show your travel document for a ticket;
· Journey time: about 1.5 hours to reach Zigui Port.
We recommend arriving at Yichang East Railway Station no later than the last coach of the boarding window; if you miss the transfer coach, you can also take a taxi to Zigui Pier yourself (the ship does not depart until the next morning, so there is still time to spare). The transfer arrangement is part of the sailing's supporting services; the meeting point and departure times are subject to customer service's notice one day before boarding.
Day-by-Day Sample ItineraryDAY BY DAY
D1 | Zigui Port, Yichang: Evening Boarding
Arrive in Yichang on your own during the day, and take the free transfer coach from Yichang East Railway Station or the Three Gorges Visitor Center to Zigui Port at the time notified the previous evening; complete boarding check-in, attend the safety briefing, and rest on board that night. The ship moors overnight at Zigui, so sleep is not affected.
D2 | Three Gorges Dam: A Close Look at a Monumental Project
In the morning, tour the Three Gorges Dam Scenic Area (Tanziling, the 185 Platform, the River Closure Memorial Park, etc.) for a panoramic view of the dam and the five-stage ship lock; some sailings offer an optional ship-lift passage over the dam at your own expense. In the afternoon the ship passes Xiling Gorge, with gorge scenery from the deck. The exact tour sequence differs slightly by ship and is subject to the cruise line's actual arrangement.
D3 | Shennong Stream: Small-Boat Cruise into a Tributary Gorge
In the morning the ship arrives at Shennong Stream (or the Lesser Three Gorges, subject to the cruise line's arrangement); transfer to a small sightseeing boat deep into the tributary to enjoy the deep gorge, hanging coffins on the cliffs, and Tujia culture; in the afternoon the ship passes Wu Gorge with distant views of Goddess Peak. In the evening there is usually a cultural lecture or themed party on board.
D4 | Baidicheng → Fengdu Ghost City: A Day of Cultural Highlights
In the morning the ship passes Qutang Gorge with distant views of Kuimen (the motif on the back of the RMB 10 banknote); some ships dock for a tour of Baidicheng — where Li Bai wrote his famous line about leaving Baidi amid rosy clouds at dawn; in the afternoon or the next morning the ship docks at Fengdu Ghost City to tour the ancient temple complexes and ghost-culture sights of Mingshan Scenic Area (the uphill cable car is at your own expense on some ships). Because upstream has one extra day, both Baidicheng and Fengdu Ghost City can usually be arranged — precisely the advantage of an in-depth upstream cruise.
D5 | Chaotianmen, Chongqing: Morning Disembarkation
The ship arrives at Chaotianmen Pier in Chongqing in the morning; after breakfast, complete disembarkation procedures and end the 5-day 4-night trip. Chaotianmen is next to Raffles City, about a 10-minute walk from Jiefangbei and Hongyadong — after disembarking you can continue touring downtown Chongqing, or head from Chaotianmen to Jiangbei Airport or Chongqing North/West Railway Station for your onward journey.
Three Advantages of UpstreamWHY UPSTREAM
① In-depth pace: The ship sails slowly with one more day of itinerary, shore excursions are unhurried, and onboard lectures and activities are richer — ideal for travelers with seniors or those who prefer slow travel.
② One more sight: On the same route, upstream usually includes one more shore excursion than downstream (commonly Baidicheng or Fengdu Ghost City, subject to the cruise line's arrangement) — for the same money, you see more.
③ Better value: Upstream quotes are usually about 10-30% lower than downstream; one extra night on board actually saves money, offering outstanding value (actual prices subject to the written confirmation at the time of booking).
One point to note: upstream lock passage often occurs in the early morning hours. However, most Chongqing-Yichang cruises do not pass the five-stage ship lock on their own hull — they dock at a port upstream of the dam and travel over the dam by coach. See Three Gorges Dam, Five-Stage Ship Locks & Ship Lift.
FAQQ&A
Is upstream too slow or boring?
No. Beyond the shore sights, the Three Great Gorges (Qutang, Wu, and Xiling) are all viewed from the ship — the slower upstream speed actually means more time watching the gorges and more relaxed photography; there are also song-and-dance performances and lectures on board.
Is upstream suitable for seniors?
Yes. The Three Gorges reservoir has calm water and all meals and lodging are on board; upstream is slower with longer sailing hours — especially suitable for seniors and families. At the few shore sights with steps, travelers with limited mobility can stay on board.
Will dry-season disembarkation in Chongqing be affected?
During the winter-spring dry season, when the water level at Chongqing is too low, large vessels over 130 meters cannot sail beyond Fuling; they may disembark at Fengdu or Fuling instead and transfer to downtown Chongqing by road (about a 2-3 hour drive) — a mandatory requirement of the maritime authorities. See Dry-Season Sailing Notes: Transfers & Dam Bypass Explained.
Once you have decided on upstream, start narrowing down ships with the 7-level budget quick-reference table on the homepage, or contact a Three Gorges Cruise Center consultant directly for recommendations.
Extended Reading & Popular Upstream ShipsEXPLORE
→ Go to homepage: 42 cruise ships, 7-level budget quick-reference table
→ Three Gorges cruise FAQ
Contact Us
To confirm the boarding and gathering arrangements, schedules, and quotations of an upstream sailing, feel free to contact a Three Gorges Cruise Center consultant at any time.
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