FAQ on General Information

Wuhan - Yichang Cruises on the Yangtze may start or finish at Yichang or Wuhan.

We don't consider that between Yi - Wu section of the river contains many attractions .So if we recommend that you leave the cruise at Yichang, you can be assured that we have done this to better co-ordinate you on going tour package. We are committed to providing the best package available to you.

For singles who travel alone, most ships hold parties on which it is so easy to meet people and make friends. Our suggestion is that you can find a partner or traveling companion because not all ships have single rooms.

The gorgy topography features strong wind, humid and less sunshine. The average temperature reaches 30 C in July and 10 C in January. Spring and autumn are therefore the best seasons for making the river cruises. In summers, dramatic thunderstorms and torrential rains often happen and heavy rainfalls cause the high water level between July and September (Which is usually coincided with the Flood Season on the cruising itineraries). The winters are short and cold.

Downstream: 4-day from Chongqing to Yichang.

Upstream: 5-day from Yichang to Chongqing

During the cruise passenger have the same experience. We suggest you decide upstream or downstream based on your China schedule.

Yichang is a city with limited onward transportation options. Only 3-4 cities haves flight to/ from Yichang. Please check this before booking this cruise.

The cruise will allow you to enjoy some unique sights including superlative natural scenery, important historical sites. Some of the highlights from Chongqing to Yichang are:

Chaotianmen: Chaotianmen is the largest harbor on the upper reach of the Yangtze River. It is an amazing place where the brown, muddy Yangtze meets the clear Jialing River.

Fengdu Ghost City: Fengdu Ghost City: It is said to be the home of devil. It has an eerie feel to it with deserted streets, tower blocks, empty shops and banks. A visit to Fengdu requires a steep climb up many steps from the river level to the old town. A cable car usually operates from Fengdu to a nearby mountain scenic spot. Not wanting to climb the stair......no problem, stay on the ship and enjoy the scenery from the comfort of a deck chair.

Shibaozhai: Shibaozhai is a rectangular rock with sheer cliffs, standing on the riverside. A 12-storey red wooden pagoda with upturned eaves stands on the top.

Lesser Three Gorges: The Lesser Three Gorges refers to the three separate valleys of the Daning River with the names of Dragon Gate Gorge, Misty Gorge and Emerald Gorge. The gorges are truly spectacular. Sheer cliffs soar up towards the sky from the brown-green water. Mountain tops hover above the ribbon of mist, disconnected from their roots.

Shennong Stream: Shennong Stream is a tributary of the Yangtze River. The crystal clear steam flows swiftly from north to south through deep gorges.

Baidi City (White Emperor City): Baidi City clings to grand hills and cliffs. It is well known as "the Poet City". Many ancient scholars once visited it and left many literary relics.

Gezhou Dam: The dam is 2,606 meters long and 70 meters high. There are 3 ship locks and even an elevator to lift smaller ships over the dam.

Note:

Ferry boats are the transport used in daily life by the local people and therefore do not cater for tourists in the way that the cruise ships do.

1. The boat will not guarantee to set aside enough time for land excursions, especially when most of the travelers on the boat are local commuters.

2. The boat is not guaranteed to pass the Three Gorges in the daylight hours and therefore you may not see those highlights.

3. No private bathroom facilities are available except in 1st class.

4. No English speaking tour guide is available onboard. We can arrange a guide for a group over 10 people.

There is few night sail and all scenic sites are arranged in day, if you choose a downstream cruise. You will have enough time for shore excursion. Although cruising upstream will have some midnight sailing, the ship will try to arrange the highlights sail in daytime.

The Three Gorges Dam lock system is closed for maintenance once a year. During this time all the ships will finish at Mao ping dock (60km away from the Dam).

For the upstream cruises, Cruise Company will arrange coach transfer from Yichang to Maoping pier to board the onward cruise. For downstream cruises, Cruise Company will arrange coach transfer from Maoping to Yichang.

Passengers will not miss seeing the Dam.

Yangtze River cruise operators reserve the right to cancel or change the sailing schedules of any ship without notice. This happens if booking numbers do not reach the level required by the operator on a particular sailing. China Highlights Travel makes reservations in good faith but can not guarantee that bookings on a particular ship and time will be honored. We will however always do all in our power to ensure that alternative satisfactory arrangements are made, should there be a change of ship or sailing schedule. We will do our utmost to ensure that any change will impact your trip as little as possible.

No. The completion of the Three Gorge Dam will not affect the number of cruise boats.

Rarely. Stabilizers on modern ships, availability of accurate weather information, and development of effective preventative medications will release you from it.

Downstream cruises normally board at Chaotianmen Cruise Pier in Chongqing. Upstream cruises board at Xinshiji Cruise Pier in Yichang. It is possible take a taxi. The exact address (both Chinese & English) will be shown in our final voucher.

We suggest calling the ship by phone call to confirm the pier 5 hours before departure. The contact number will be in our confirmation letter. If the phone for the ship is continually busy or unworkable please call your travel advisor or China Highlights office for help.

Please note that the exact parking pier will not be known until ship already parked there. Calling before 5 hours is the correct time.