The Yangtze River is one of the most interesting rivers in the world. It is blessed with a richness of natural/manmade scenery and cultural relics such as the Three Gorges Dam, Gemstone Stronghold, and Shennong Stream. A Yangtze River cruise will give you the opportunity to see some of the most spectacular scenery imaginable.
Taking a Yangtze cruise is a popular way to discover China. It can slow your pace and relax your mind with a leisurely journey, letting you take in picturesque gorges from a deck chair or personal balcony. Every year, millions of travelers have come to China to enjoy this fantastic experience.
Yangtze River Cruise Itinerary
The most popular route for Yangtze River cruises is between Chongqing and Yichang, which is also one of the most beautiful sections of the Yangtze River. The downstream journey (Chongqing to Yichang) typically lasts 3 nights and 4 days, while the upstream journey (Yichang to Chongqing) usually lasts 4 nights and 5 days.
Some cruise ships operate longer routes between Chongqing and Shanghai, such as the Century Legend, which, in addition to the essential Chongqing-Yichang section, also visits other famous Chinese cities like Yangzhou, Nanjing, Wuhan, etc.
Feel free to contact our Yangtze River Cruise expert for advice on the most suitable cruise ships and itineraries.
The Most Recommended Cruises for 2025
There are over 30 luxury cruise ships sailing on Yangtze River, which are operated by six cruise companies, including Century Cruises, Victoria Cruises, Sanctuary Retreats (Yangtze Explorer), President Cruises, Yangtze Gold Cruises, and Changjiang Cruises. When faced with so many options, you may be confused about choosing a cruise ship.
According to our data from the cruise companies and the feedback from our customers, here are our cruise ships recommendations for 2024/2025: