Few trips feel as slow and dramatic. This Yangtze River cruise upstream takes you through the big three gorges—Qutang, Wu, and Xiling—while you’re mostly off your feet and letting the river do the work. You also get a guided experience with a boat guide included, plus three organized shore excursions.

I especially like how the itinerary mixes famous landmarks with the river’s changing moods. You’ll go past major highlights like the Three Gorges Dam and then spend real time sailing through each gorge, instead of only doing quick photo stops. The onboard pace can feel like a reset button after busier China sightseeing.

One thing to consider: ship quality can vary. Some guests loved newer-feeling ships and excellent rooms and food, while others reported damp or musty cabins on different vessels, so it’s worth being alert to which ship you’re assigned before you relax too hard.

Key Things You’ll Care About

• Upstream route (Yichang to Chongqing) gives you a long, unhurried view of the gorges instead of frantic transfers.
• Boat guide included for questions and smoother days ashore.
• Three shore excursions included, with several optional add-ons that can change day to day.
• Meals included (breakfast x4, lunch x3, dinner x3), with drinks paid separately.
• Ship experience may vary, based on cabin condition and onboard facilities.

Upstream Yangtze: Why Yichang to Chongqing Feels Like a Proper Journey

The Yangtze upstream cruise is built for people who want the scenery to unfold slowly. Instead of constantly hopping from one viewpoint to another, you settle in and watch the river landscape shift as the boat moves through each gorge. It’s one of those rare trips where your schedule is mostly the horizon.

I like that you get the big-name gorge sequence: Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge, and Xiling Gorge. Each section has a different feel—steeper walls, deeper passes, and longer stretches where you can just stand at the rail and let time pass.

If you’re the type who enjoys nature and photography but still wants comfort, this route hits a sweet spot. The days are active enough to feel like you’re doing something, but not so packed that you spend the whole time commuting.

Maoping Wharf and the First Night: How to Start Without Losing Time

Your cruise begins at Yichang Maoping Wharf around 19:00. If you don’t want to scramble late, you can use the free shuttle from Sanxia Tourist Center between 17:00 and 19:00, then get to the dock with less stress.

This matters more than people think. The first day sets the tone—if you arrive rushed, you spend the whole evening tired and cranky. With a set embarkation window and a shuttle option, you can show up, check in, and get your bearings before the boat pulls away.

You’ll also have a mobile ticket, which usually means less paper handling and fewer steps at the start. Still, keep your passport details handy, because you must provide passport information at booking time.

The River Days: Dam, Gorges, and Shore Excursions That Actually Change the View

This is a 5-day, 4-night cruise with three shore excursions included. A boat guide is on hand through the trip, and that support can make the difference between a smooth day and a confusing one—especially when you’re moving between sights and getting instructions in a new environment.

Also, plan for small timing adjustments. The daily plan can update while you’re on board, and some included or optional excursions may shift based on conditions, so always check the updated schedule on the ship.

Day 1: Board in Yichang and Let the River Take Over

Day 1 is all about embarking. You start the evening at the dock, and once you’re aboard, your main job is settling in and getting ready for the big sightseeing day ahead.

For many people, this first night is when the cruise really clicks. You’re not rushing from site to site—you’re starting to live on river time.

Day 2: Three Gorges Dam plus the Start of Xiling Gorge

Day 2 begins with a buffet breakfast, then you head to the Three Gorges Dam Project for an excursion. This is the kind of stop that gives you context for what you’re seeing from the boat—big engineering, enormous scale, and a clear reason the Yangtze looks the way it does now.

There’s also an optional excursion to the Ship Lift. Since it’s marked optional and the plan can change, it’s smart to decide onboard based on energy level and how much you want to add.

After lunch and dinner, you enter Xiling Gorge. Then you go to the Xiling Gorge Scenic Resort, with admission included for that stretch of the day. This is where the trip starts to feel more cinematic—more gorge walls, more dramatic river narrowness, and the kind of scenery that’s hard to appreciate from a distance.

Day 3: Wu Gorge to Qutang Gorge with a Choice of Nature Stops

Day 3 starts again with buffet breakfast, then you sail through Wu Gorge. This is your slow, view-focused day—less about a single landmark and more about the way the river corridor changes as you pass through.

On shore, you’ll have an included excursion option: The Lesser Three Gorges or Shennong Stream. Either way, you’re swapping some onboard time for more close-up scenery, which keeps the trip from feeling like only one long boat ride.

You’ll also sail through Qutang Gorge later in the day, with buffet lunch and dinner included. Qutang Gorge tends to feel sharper and more dramatic, and it’s the kind of segment where you’ll want to be on deck at least part of the time.

There’s an optional stop: White Emperor City. Since it’s optional, you can decide based on your priorities—some people love the cultural add-on, while others prefer staying with the river views.

Day 4: Fengdu County and the Captain’s Farewell Dinner

Day 4 brings a different mood with Fengdu County. After buffet breakfast, you’ll visit Yuhuang Shengdi (Jade Emperor Sanctuary) or one of two other listed options: Shibao Village or Shuanggui Mount. This is the day that shifts from pure scenery into a place-based experience.

You’ll have buffet lunch, then optional plans depend on what you choose. There’s an optional add-on to the Ghost City, but it’s specifically noted as excluded, and you can also entertain on the cruise instead.

The day ends with the Captain’s Farewell Dinner. This kind of event can be a highlight because it’s a moment where everyone is together, even if you don’t speak the local language. It’s also a good time to swap impressions about the gorges and ask the boat guide what to watch for on the last morning.

Day 5: Disembark in Chongqing at Chaotianmen

On Day 5, you’ll have buffet breakfast, then disembark at Chongqing Chaotianmen Wharf starting 08:30. The tour ends there.

Chongqing’s waterfront is a strong way to close an upstream cruise. You go from gorge solitude to a big city setting, and the contrast can feel satisfying: river calm to urban energy in one smooth transition.

Cabins and Food: The Big Reason This Cruise Can Feel Perfect or Rough

This cruise includes accommodation in half twin cabins per person and includes service charge. Many guests appreciated onboard comfort, with at least some ships described as very new-feeling and rooms as comfortable.

Food also seems to land well for a lot of people. In positive reports, guests said the dining facilities were excellent and that the choices were more than basic. One person specifically called out a great food experience and helpful staff, even when they didn’t speak Chinese.

But here’s the caution that keeps this review honest: there are reports of a lower standard on some ships. On one sailing, passengers described damp, mouldy, smelly cabins and said the ship felt old with limited facilities. Another report echoed damp conditions and even suggested sleeping with towels as a workaround. In that same set of comments, the staff still received praise for being hard working and polite, which is a useful nuance: service can be strong even when the physical ship isn’t.

What should you do with that? If the ship name is shown at booking or confirmation, check it. Then, on embarkation day, do a quick cabin inspection (odor, damp feel, bathroom condition) before you put your life into the room. If something feels off, flag it right away to the boat team while you’re still near the start of the journey.

If your priority is comfort, look for signs that you’re on a newer-feeling vessel. In positive experiences, Victoria Sabrina was described as new with comfortable rooms, excellent food, and helpful English support. That’s exactly the kind of detail that can change how happy you’ll be after a long day of gorge sailing.

Price and Value: What $599 Buys You (and What It Doesn’t)

At $599 per person, this cruise is often good value because it bundles the essentials: lodging for 4 nights, a boat guide, three shore excursions, and a full set of meals—breakfast (4), lunch (3), dinner (3).

That matters because the Yangtze experience can otherwise get expensive once you start adding transportation, timed tours, and meals. Here, you’re paying up front for the core structure, and that keeps your travel math simple.

What’s not included is also clear: drinks and various optional excursions. Examples include the Ship Lift, White Emperor City, and the Ghost City (not included). If you love adding extra activities, you’ll likely spend more. If you’re happy with the included plan and use the optional items as a bonus, you can keep costs in check.

Another value factor: group size. This tour lists a maximum of 50 travelers, which usually makes it easier to manage daily departures and keeps things from turning into total chaos. It won’t be private, but it’s not a giant crowd either.

Best Fit: Who Will Enjoy This Cruise the Most

If you’re a nature lover, this is a strong match. The gorge sailing segments are the heart of the trip, and the shore stops (like dam viewing and nature-focused choices such as Lesser Three Gorges or Shennong Stream) keep you from only looking at the same scenery from one angle.

If you want a slower pace and a more relaxing final chapter to a central China trip, this works well. The structure gives you days that feel like you’re traveling rather than rushing.

You’ll likely appreciate the boat guide if you’re not comfortable navigating on your own. In positive experiences, English support was mentioned onboard and during excursions on at least some sailings, including translation help that made the days easier. Still, don’t assume full English support on every voyage—check what’s stated for your departure.

Who might skip it? If you’re extremely sensitive to cabin conditions—especially dampness—then you should be cautious and confirm your specific ship assignment.

Practical Booking Notes That Affect Your Day-to-Day Comfort

Booking confirmation happens within 48 hours, subject to availability. You also need to provide passport name, number, expiry, and country at the time of booking, which is normal for international travel but important to plan for.

Because the boat itinerary can update while you’re on board, keep a little flexibility. That matters most for optional add-ons, since the included excursions can shift as well and you’ll want to see what’s actually happening each day.

Finally, think about your shoes and movement. Even with a lot of time onboard, you’ll still be stepping on and off the boat and walking at shore stops, including sanctuaries, scenic areas, and county sights.

Should You Book This Yichang to Chongqing Yangtze Cruise?

I think you should book if your goal is classic Yangtze gorge sailing with a guided, meal-included structure. The combination of Three Gorges Dam, gorge cruising through Qutang, Wu, and Xiling, and three included shore excursions is a good use of 5 days.

I’d hold off—or at least research ship assignment carefully—if cabin comfort is your top priority. The difference between a comfortable newer-feeling ship and a damp, musty one can change the whole trip, and the experiences you’ll get onboard aren’t guaranteed to be uniform.

If you like an organized flow, a bit of river drama, and the chance to see major sights without constant logistics, this one is worth considering.

FAQ

What is included in the Yangtze cruise price?

The price includes accommodation (half twin cabin per person), a boat guide, three shore excursions, and meals: 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 3 dinners. Service charge is included too.

How long is the cruise and how many nights are included?

It’s a 5-day trip with 4 nights.

Where do I board and what time does embarkation begin?

You embark at Yichang Maoping Wharf starting around 19:00.

Where do I disembark at the end of the tour?

You disembark at Chongqing Chaotianmen Wharf starting at 08:30.

What shore excursions are included?

There are three included shore excursions during the cruise, including stops such as the Three Gorges Dam Project and a day in Fengdu County, plus a nature-focused option on Day 3 (listed as The Lesser Three Gorges or Shennong Stream). Exact included options can be subject to update.

Are drinks included on the boat?

Drinks are not included. Optional excursions may also cost extra.

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