Getting to Zigui Port & Yichang Transfers

Where Is Zigui PortLOCATION

Zigui Port is located in Zigui County, Yichang, right next to the Three Gorges Dam, about 60 km from downtown Yichang — a drive of roughly 1.5 hours. Because of the distance, getting there on your own costs more and is harder than reaching a downtown pier, so we strongly recommend using the cruise line's free transfer shuttle first.

Zigui is the hometown of the poet Qu Yuan; if time allows before boarding you can also take in some local flavour — but always treat punctual boarding as the first priority and never let sightseeing delay your meeting time.

Free Transfer Shuttle (First Choice)FREE SHUTTLE

Most cruise lines provide a free transfer shuttle for upstream travellers, running from downtown Yichang to Zigui Port. The arrangements:

· Pick-up points: to the right of the exit at Yichang East Railway Station; or the Three Gorges Visitor Center (Jiu Matou);
· Departure times: rolling departures 17:30-20:30, leaving once full;
· Tickets: collect your shuttle ticket with your ID card;
· Ride: about 1.5 hours to Zigui Port.

Going on Your OwnTAXI

If you miss the shuttle or prefer a more flexible schedule, you can go to Zigui Port on your own. Reference fares:

· Yichang East Railway Station → Zigui Port: taxi about RMB 200;
· Three Gorges Airport → Zigui Port: taxi about RMB 150.

When travelling on your own, be sure to confirm the ship's berthing position and the latest boarding time with the ship, and keep your taxi receipt. Splitting a taxi is quite economical for groups, but the ride covers long mountain-road sections — take care when travelling at night.

Note: Taxi fares vary with time of day, route, and negotiation; the figures above are for reference only, and actual costs prevail.

Boarding Time & ProcessBOARDING

Boarding at Zigui Port generally runs 18:00-22:00. On arrival at the pier, present your order and original documents at the ship's main service desk to check in and receive your room card, then settle into your cabin; the cruise generally departs during the night or in the small hours of the following morning.

Unlike Chaotianmen in Chongqing, the boarding window at Zigui Port is longer — even a 20:30 shuttle arrival leaves time to check in. But the itinerary usually starts early the next morning, so take an earlier shuttle where possible to protect your rest.

Transport After DisembarkationDEPARTURE

Upstream routes disembark at Chaotianmen in Chongqing; downstream travellers leave the ship at the Yichang end. Most cruises do not disembark guests at Zigui Port: instead, the ship berths at a port upstream of the dam, guests tour the Three Gorges Dam scenic area, then travel by coach "over the dam" to downtown Yichang. Cruise lines generally provide free transfers between the port and downtown Yichang — arrive at the designated meeting point on time.

Once in downtown Yichang, connections to Yichang East Railway Station and Three Gorges Airport are convenient; we recommend booking onward flights or trains for the day after disembarkation, with plenty of slack.

Popular Ships & Extended ReadingEXPLORE

Among popular ships boarding at Zigui Port, we recommend:

· Yangtze Moonlight — a brand-new cruise launched in recent years with modern facilities and spacious cabins;
· Victoria Isabella — a well-reviewed choice in the Victoria Cruises series with mature bilingual service, well suited to overseas travellers.