Yangtze River Cruise from Yichang to Chongqing Upstream in 5 Days 4 Nights

The best part of this five-day Yangtze cruise is the steady change of scenery. You leave Yichang at night, then wake to the Three Gorges Dam and spend the next few days moving through Xiling, Wu, and Qutang gorges before reaching Chongqing. It is a good way to slow down after a busy China itinerary.

I like the three included shore excursions, which give the trip some shape beyond sitting on deck. I also like the simple value: your cabin, 10 meals, service charge, boat guide, and excursions are covered in the $599 price. The main caution is that the ship is not fixed, and standards can vary. Some vessels are modern and comfortable, while complaints about damp cabins, worn fittings, and weak food have appeared on older ships.

Key points to know before booking

• The cruise begins at Maoping Wharf: A free shuttle runs from Yichang Sanxia Tourist Center between 5:00 and 7:00 pm.
• The Three Gorges are the main event: You pass Xiling, Wu, and Qutang gorges on the way to Chongqing.
• Three shore excursions are included: The exact sites can change, so check the daily schedule after boarding.
• Meals are built into the fare: You receive four breakfasts, three lunches, and three dinners.
• Cabins are shared half-twin rooms: Expect two single beds rather than a private double room.
• The ship arrives in Chongqing at 8:30 am: The trip ends at Chaotianmen Wharf, a useful arrival point for continuing your visit.

Why five days on the Yangtze works so well

A river cruise gives you something many China itineraries lack: unhurried time. Instead of packing a new city, train, or hotel into every day, you unpack once and watch the country change outside your window.

This route runs from Yichang to Chongqing, traveling upriver through the best-known Three Gorges section. You will see working river scenery, steep gorge walls, major engineering, and historic sites, but the rhythm is calm. Much of the appeal comes from the hours between excursions, when you can sit on an upper deck or by a cabin window and simply watch the Yangtze pass.

At $599 per person, the price is strong for a five-day, four-night trip if you value convenience. The package includes a half-twin cabin, 10 meals, three shore excursions, a boat guide, and service charges. Drinks and optional activities cost extra, so the final bill will be higher if you add those.

The important qualification is the ship. The booking information does not promise one particular vessel. Past sailings have included ships such as Victoria Sabrina, Victoria Jenna, Yangtze 3, Yangtze Gold 5, and Yangtze Gold 8. Conditions can differ sharply between them. Some cabins have balconies, desks, extra seating, and two single beds. Reports about older Yangtze Gold 5 sailings describe damp, smelly cabins and worn public areas, while other sailings describe new ships, good food, and helpful staff.

I would confirm the ship name and cabin category before paying. That one question matters more here than it does on many ordinary tours.

Day 1: Getting from Yichang to Maoping Wharf

The cruise begins with boarding at 7:00 pm at Yichang Maoping Wharf. The listed meeting point is the Sanxia Tourist Center on Yan Jiang Da Dao, where a free shuttle runs to the dock from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.

Allow time to reach the tourist center before the shuttle window closes. The wharf is not the same place as the city-center meeting point, so do not treat the listed tourist center as the ship itself. Once aboard, you settle into your cabin and begin the four-night sailing.

There is little sightseeing on this first evening. That is not a problem. The late departure lets you use the day for Yichang sightseeing or travel into the city before boarding. Keep your passport handy, since passport name, number, expiry date, and country are required for the booking.

Because this is a mobile-ticket experience, have your booking details available on your phone. The confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability.

Day 2: The Three Gorges Dam and Xiling Gorge

Your first full day begins with buffet breakfast and a shore visit to the Three Gorges Dam Project. The excursion lasts about two hours, and admission is included.

The dam is the most obvious piece of modern engineering on the route. It gives the trip a useful contrast: the scenery may feel ancient and monumental, but the river is also a major transport and power corridor shaped by one of the world’s largest dam projects.

After the visit, you return for a buffet lunch. The ship then enters Xiling Gorge, the easternmost of the Three Gorges. Xiling is a fitting opening to the scenic part of the cruise because you have already seen the dam and can now watch the river narrow into steep-sided country.

The itinerary lists an optional ship-lift excursion. It is not included, so check the price and schedule aboard the ship before deciding. Optional activities can be worthwhile, but you should not feel pressured to fill every hour. The ship itself is part of the experience.

The schedule gives Xiling Gorge about 12 hours of sailing time. That long stretch is one reason to reserve a place on the upper deck when the weather is good. Bring a light jacket and keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole day trying to record everything. The views are better when you look up from the screen now and then.

Day 3: Wu Gorge, Qutang Gorge, and a choice of river excursions

Day 3 is the scenic centerpiece. After breakfast, the ship sails through Wu Gorge, known for its narrow passage and steep walls. The river scenery becomes more enclosed here, with bends that reveal a new view every few minutes.

The included shore excursion is either the Lesser Three Gorges or Shennong Stream. The exact choice depends on the ship’s operating plan. Both options are designed to show a smaller and more intimate section of the river system, so this is usually the day when you spend the most time away from the main vessel.

You return for buffet lunch before the ship continues through Qutang Gorge. Qutang is the shortest of the Three Gorges, but its dramatic setting gives it plenty of visual impact. The narrow waterway and high cliffs make this a good time to stay outside rather than retreat to your cabin.

An optional visit to White Emperor City may also be available. It is not included in the base fare. If you care about historic sites, ask the boat guide how much time the stop requires and what extra charge applies. If you prefer a slower day, staying aboard lets you enjoy the gorge sailing without another organized visit.

Day 3 lasts about 13 hours and includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It is a full day, but the schedule is broken into manageable pieces by the sailing and shore visit. You should still expect some walking during the excursion, although the information says most people can participate.

Day 4: Fengdu and the final evening aboard

On the fourth day, the ship reaches the Fengdu County area. The included shore excursion may go to Yuhuang Shengdi, also called the Jade Emperor Sanctuary, Shibao Village, or Shuanggui Mount.

This flexible choice is useful, but it also means you will not know the exact stop until you receive the onboard schedule. Ask for the daily plan as soon as it is posted. The ship’s itinerary can be updated after boarding, and river conditions, operating plans, or local arrangements may affect the program.

Fengdu also offers the optional Ghost City visit, which is excluded from the price. If you choose it, budget extra and allow for the time it takes. If not, you can stay aboard and use the free time for the ship’s entertainment or the upper deck.

The day includes buffet breakfast and lunch, followed by a Captain’s Farewell Dinner. That final dinner gives the trip a clear closing point before arrival in Chongqing the next morning.

The included shore visits are a major reason this package works for people who want more than scenery. You get a look at major infrastructure, river valleys, and cultural sites without arranging separate transport. The tradeoff is limited control. You cannot replace every scheduled stop with your own choice, and the final excursion list may not be known until the cruise begins.

Day 5: Arriving at Chongqing’s Chaotianmen Wharf

Breakfast is served before you leave the ship at 8:30 am at Chongqing Chaotianmen Wharf. The listed endpoint is on the riverfront in Yuzhong District.

This is a convenient finish if Chongqing is your next base. You are already at one of the city’s main waterfront areas, rather than arriving at an outlying transport terminal. The cruise ends after disembarkation, so arrange any onward hotel transfer or sightseeing separately.

Keep your luggage organized the night before. Disembarkation can feel rushed when an entire ship is leaving at once, and you will want your passport, phone, and onward booking close at hand.

Cabins, food, and service: what to expect

The standard accommodation is a half-twin cabin per person, which means a shared cabin with two single beds. One sailing described cabins with a balcony, desk, and extra seating, but you should not assume every ship or cabin has the same layout.

The food plan includes four breakfasts, three lunches, and three dinners. Buffet dining is practical on a cruise with a busy sightseeing schedule. It lets you eat at your own pace, though drinks are not included.

The service record is mixed because the ship can vary. Staff have been praised for being courteous, friendly, hardworking, and helpful, including on sailings where passengers did not speak Chinese. English translation has also been provided for some small groups, including excursions and onboard announcements. Do not assume that every departure will have the same level of translation, but the included boat guide should help with questions and daily arrangements.

Ship condition deserves careful attention. Newer vessels such as Victoria Sabrina and Yangtze 3 have been described as comfortable or sparkling, with good dining and pleasant crew service. By contrast, the Yangtze Gold 5 has drawn serious complaints about damp cabins, odors, rusty fittings, limited deck furniture, and disappointing food.

This does not make the whole route a poor choice. It means you should treat the vessel as part of the purchase. Ask for the ship name, cabin photos if available, and confirmation of the room category before booking.

Who will get the most from this cruise

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a slower section in a larger China journey. It suits people who enjoy scenery, river travel, organized sightseeing, and the ease of having meals and lodging handled together.

It is also a good fit if you do not speak Chinese. The boat guide, the organized shore visits, and the fixed route remove much of the daily guesswork. A maximum group size of 50 keeps the tour from becoming enormous, although the ship itself may carry more people beyond this activity group.

Nature lovers will get the most from the cruise, especially if they enjoy long stretches of scenery rather than constant city sightseeing. The best moments may come between the official stops, from the deck as the ship passes through Wu and Qutang gorges.

I would be more cautious if you need luxury hotel standards, a guaranteed modern vessel, or a highly private itinerary. The included price is attractive, but ship quality is not fully uniform. Also remember that the experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed after booking, so confirm your dates and vessel before committing.

Should you book the Yichang to Chongqing cruise?

Book it if you want the Yangtze itself to be the focus of your trip. The route offers the Three Gorges, the Three Gorges Dam, included shore visits, full-board meals, and a relaxed five-day pace for $599. That is a solid package when the assigned ship is in good condition.

Before you pay, ask three direct questions: Which ship is scheduled? What cabin category will I receive? Which three shore excursions are currently planned? If the answers are clear and the vessel has a good maintenance record, I think this is a smart way to travel from Yichang to Chongqing.

If the ship turns out to be an older vessel with poor cabin conditions, the value changes quickly. For this experience, ship confirmation is not a minor detail. It is the deciding factor.

FAQ

How long is the Yangtze River cruise from Yichang to Chongqing?

The cruise lasts five days and four nights.

Where does the cruise begin?

Boarding begins at Yichang Maoping Wharf at 7:00 pm.

How do I get to Maoping Wharf?

You can go to Yichang Sanxia Tourist Center and take the free shuttle bus to the dock. Shuttle service runs from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.

Where does the cruise end?

The cruise ends at Chongqing Chaotianmen Wharf, where passengers disembark at 8:30 am on Day 5.

Which meals are included?

The fare includes four breakfasts, three lunches, and three dinners. Drinks are not included.

What type of accommodation is included?

The standard accommodation is a half-twin cabin per person.

Which shore excursions are included?

Three shore excursions are included. The program includes the Three Gorges Dam and other sites in the Wu Gorge, Qutang Gorge, and Fengdu sections, but the exact excursions can change.

Are optional excursions included?

No. Optional activities such as the ship lift, White Emperor City, and Ghost City are excluded from the base fare.

Is a guide included?

Yes. A boat guide is included to help with questions and concerns during the cruise.

What information is needed to book?

You must provide each participant’s passport name, passport number, passport expiry date, and country. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability.