Yangtze River runs through some of China's most iconic landscapes and cities.
A clear map makes it easier to understand the route and plan your trip, such as Chongqing, Three Gorges, and Shanghai.
This page provides practical Yangtze River maps covering the river route, cities, cruise routes, and attractions. You can use them to find key stops and create a more efficient itinerary.
Yangtze River Flows from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to Shanghai
The Yangtze River begins from a snow-capped peak in the Tanggula Mountains.
It flows through Qinghai, Sichuan, Tibet, Yunnan, Chongqing, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Anhui, and Jiangsu, before finally reaching the sea in Shanghai.
You'll see that it has different names in different regions.
Before Yibin in Sichuan, it is known as the Tuotuo River, Tongtian River, and even the Jinsha River (the same river you see at Tiger Leaping Gorge).
It is only after reaching Yibin that people officially begin calling it the "Yangtze River".
Key Yangtze Cities Concentrated Between Chongqing and Shanghai
Most Yangtze River trips focus on the section from Chongqing to Shanghai, where you can experience both vibrant cityscapes and stunning natural scenery.
- Chongqing: The 8D mountain city, cyberpunk night views, and fiery hotpot
- Three Gorges: Spectacular gorge landscapes and Three Gorges Dam, the world-class project
- Jingzhou: Three Kingdoms history and the best lotus root & pork rib soup
- Yueyang: Scenic Dongting Lake and Yueyang Tower, one of China's famous ancient towers
- Wuhan: Yellow Crane Tower, hot dry noodles, and Chinese and Western architectural styles
- Lushan Mountain: often celebrated in ancient Chinese poetry, also a UNESCO site
- Jingdezhen: China's "Porcelain Capital", many delicate ceramics to browse
- Jiuhua Mountain: A sacred Buddhist mountain offering peaceful Zen experiences
- Nanjing: Ming Dynasty history and famous local duck dishes
- Yangzhou: Lakeside Chinese garden Slender West Lake and exquisite Huaiyang cuisine
- Shanghai: China's most international metropolis, with futuristic modern skyscrapers
The best way to connect these riverside cities and attractions is by taking the Century Legend, currently the only cruise ship offering this route.
You'll cruise between Chongqing and Shanghai for 10-11 days, and stop to visit the key destinations along the way.
Take a Yangtze River Cruise to Visit the Three Gorges
Three Gorges are the Yangtze River's scenic highlight. You won't miss the must-visit Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge, Xiling Gorge, and the world's largest hydropower project, Three Gorges Dam.
The Three Gorges stretch between Chongqing and Yichang. A 4–5-day Yangtze River cruise is the most common and convenient way to explore this iconic section.
Along the way, you can stop at historic sites such as Fengdu Ghost City and White Emperor City, or enjoy panoramic views from the Three Gorges Summit and Goddess Stream.
We recommend ships like Yangzi Explorer, Vista Harmony & Aurora, Century Voyage & Oasis & Glory, or Victoria Isabella & Sabrina.
They offer you better service and facilities. You can read more details on our Yangtze Cruise Ships. Or tell us your interests, and we can tailor-make a Chinese tour with Yangtze River for you.
Why Start from Chongqing: A Faster Downstream Cruise
A cruise from Chongqing takes 4 days, while one from Yichang usually takes 5 days.
We recommend starting from Chongqing, as you can enjoy the city's iconic cyberpunk-style night view when the ship departs on the first evening.
Cruises usually depart from Chaotianmen Wharf in Chongqing. If your ship departs from Dock 6 or 8, you'll also get a view of Hongya Cave, one of Chongqing's most iconic landmarks.
Note that from March to June, low water levels may prevent some ships from docking in Chongqing. In this case, you may need to transfer from alternative ports such as Fengdu or Fuling.