The Yangtze River Cruise, Day by Day
Three gorges, one giant dam and three or four nights on the water — how the classic route really works.
Get Yangtze Cruise QuotesThe Classic Route in Brief
A Yangtze river cruise almost always means one stretch of the river: the run between the mountain city of Chongqing and Yichang in Hubei province, through the Three Gorges and past the Three Gorges Dam. Spelled Yangtze or Yangtse in English and called Chang Jiang (“long river”) in Chinese, the river is the longest in Asia, but this few hundred miles is where nearly all cruise passengers sail.
This site is a route guide. It explains what happens each day, what each gorge looks like, how cruises actually handle the dam, whether to sail upstream or downstream and which months are best. For an overview of the ships and destinations, our sister site Yangtze River Boat Cruises covers the basics; for China’s ocean ports and entry rules, see Cruising China.
| Day | Downstream (Chongqing → Yichang) | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evening boarding in Chongqing; the ship sails at night | City lights from the deck |
| 2 | Morning shore visit, often Fengdu | Temples and legends of the afterlife |
| 3 | Qutang and Wu gorges; side trip by small boat into a tributary gorge | The scenic heart of the cruise |
| 4 | Disembark at Maoping above the dam; dam tour; transfer to Yichang | The Three Gorges Dam |
Shore visits vary by ship and season, and the published schedules state that times and stops can change with weather and river conditions.
Plan the Route
Three Gorges cruise
Qutang, Wu and Xiling, one by one, and the side gorges by smaller boat.
Through the gorges →
Three Gorges Dam cruise
The dam tour, the five-step locks and the ship lift explained.
About the dam →
Yangtze cruise from Chongqing
Boarding at Chaotianmen, the first night and what to do before you sail.
Start in Chongqing →Four Things Most People Get Wrong
- “The ship passes through the dam.” Usually not; you tour the dam from the shore, with an optional ship-lift ride on some itineraries.
- “Downstream and upstream are the same trip.” Downstream is a night shorter; upstream is slower and sees some sights in different light.
- “Any month is fine.” Summer brings heat, haze and flood-season water; spring and autumn are clearer.
- “The gorges were drowned.” The reservoir raised the water and lowered the cliffs, but the gorges remain impressive.
How We Help
Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will match the ship, direction and dates to the rest of your China trip — Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai or Chengdu — and arrange flights and hotels around the cruise. Read up on China visa and transit rules for cruisers before you decide on dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a Yangtze river cruise?
The classic Three Gorges cruise is three nights downstream from Chongqing toward Yichang, or four nights upstream. Some ships also offer round trips of about a week and much longer sailings to and from Shanghai.
Does the cruise ship go through the Three Gorges Dam?
On most current itineraries, no. Ships typically begin or end at Maoping, just above the dam, and guests visit the dam on a shore tour. Some itineraries offer an optional trip through the ship lift on a smaller boat.
Which gorges will I see?
All three: Qutang, Wu and Xiling. Most itineraries add a side trip by smaller boat into a narrow tributary gorge, such as Shennong Stream or Shennv Stream.
Do I need a visa?
Rules for U.S. and other travelers have changed in recent years, including visa-free transit options. Our sister site Cruising China explains the current rules; always confirm with official sources before you travel.
Yangtse River Cruises is part of the Smart Traveler network, led by Mister Cruise. He has sold travel since 1972 and worked full-time in the industry since 1977. He has sold or originated more than $500 million in cruises and has trained more than 500 travel agents.
Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will build your Yangtze cruise into a complete China itinerary and book every piece. Meet Mister Cruise →
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