4D3N Yangtze River Cruise: Chongqing to Yichang by Century Cruise

Four days, three gorges, one comfortable boat. This Century Cruise gives you an easy way to see the Yangtze between Chongqing and Yichang, with meals, a cabin, bilingual onboard service, and three shore excursions included. I especially like the downstream route, which lets you watch the river change from the city edge of Chongqing to the monumental Three Gorges Dam.

I also like the high standard of the Century ships, with Century Oasis, Century Victory, and Century Glory used on different sailing days. The main catch is that the exact shore excursions can change with the boat schedule, and pier transfers are not included, so you need to plan your arrival at Chaotianmen carefully.

Five Things to Know Before Booking

• The ship depends on your sailing date: Century Victory usually sails Wednesday, Century Oasis Saturday, and Century Glory Sunday.
• Three excursions are included: These may include Fengdu Ghost City, a small-boat trip on Shennong Stream, and the Three Gorges Dam, but the final combination can change.
• The cruise begins late: Boarding at Chongqing Chaotianmen Pier runs from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m., with departure listed around 9:30 p.m.
• The price is based on sharing: The $768 fare is for a standard twin cabin. Solo guests pay a 75 percent single supplement.
• Plan for extra charges: A CNY 200 cruise service charge applies to adults aged 12 and over, and the optional golf cart at the dam costs CNY 10 per person.

Why This Yangtze Cruise Works Well

A Yangtze cruise is a good fit if you want scenery without changing hotels every night. You unpack once, eat onboard, and let the river provide the entertainment. That matters in this part of China, where the main sights are spread along a long stretch of water.

The four-day, three-night format also gives you enough time to see the main Three Gorges without turning the trip into a rushed sightseeing circuit. You will have periods of quiet cruising between excursions, which is part of the appeal. Keep a camera nearby, but do not spend the entire voyage staring at a screen. Some of the best moments come when the river narrows and the cliffs appear close to the ship.

The onboard guide service is provided in Chinese and English. That makes the cruise easier for international visitors, especially during shore visits and ship announcements. The group is limited to a maximum of 15 people for the activity, although the ship itself may carry more passengers.

At $768 per person, the cost is not a budget river trip. Still, it covers three nights of accommodation, seven listed meals, three shore excursions, luggage handling, and bilingual service. The value improves if you would otherwise pay separately for hotels, transfers between cities, meals, entrance tickets, and local guides.

The price needs a careful reading. It is based on a standard cabin with two people sharing. If you are alone, you cannot simply assume the advertised price will give you a private room. The single-room supplement is 75 percent, and solo guests cannot share a cabin above the upper floor. Ask about the cabin category before paying.

Chongqing Chaotianmen and the First Evening

Your starting point is Chongqing Chaotianmen Pier, one of the city’s main river gateways. The exact boarding location is supplied in Chinese and English after booking, which is useful when showing the details to a taxi driver.

Boarding takes place from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. The ship is scheduled to leave at about 9:30 p.m. Do not arrive at the last possible minute. You are responsible for getting to the pier, and hotel or airport pickup is not included.

The first evening is mostly about getting settled. Find your cabin, arrange your luggage, and learn the basic layout of the ship. A captain’s welcome reception is part of the cruise atmosphere, and smart casual clothing is required for it. You do not need formal evening wear, but very casual clothes may not be suitable.

Because the ship departs at night, you will not see much of the river at first. That is not a problem. The real scenery arrives the next morning, and the late departure gives you time to reach the pier after spending the day in Chongqing.

Day Two at Fengdu Ghost City

After breakfast, the first included shore excursion is scheduled at Fengdu Ghost City. The visit lasts about two hours.

Fengdu is linked with Chinese ideas about the afterlife, judgment, and the spirit world. The site has a history of about 1,900 years, and its religious imagery gives the stop a very different character from the natural scenery later in the trip. You are not simply visiting another viewpoint. You are seeing a place shaped by traditional beliefs and storytelling.

Two hours is enough for an introduction, but it is not a long, independent exploration. You will likely follow the organized excursion schedule and return to the ship afterward. If you prefer museums or ancient architecture to river scenery, this may be one of the more interesting stops. If you mainly booked for the gorges, treat it as a cultural change of pace.

The pace on this day is fairly relaxed. That is welcome after boarding late the previous night. You can use the remaining time to watch the river, attend onboard activities if offered, or simply rest. Bring comfortable shoes for the shore visit, since the details of the route and walking conditions can vary.

Qutang Gorge, the Shortest and Grandest Passage

The third day is the main scenic day. The ship first enters Qutang Gorge, described as the shortest but grandest of the Three Gorges.

This is the point when the cruise earns its place on your itinerary. The river narrows, the cliffs rise, and the view becomes more concentrated than the broad river scenes near Chongqing. Qutang Gorge is not the longest section, so you need to be awake and ready when the ship passes through.

The best viewing strategy is simple: check the daily schedule, then spend time on the open deck when the ship enters the gorge. You will want to see both sides of the river, and a cabin window alone may not give you the full view. Weather and visibility can affect the experience, so keep expectations flexible.

The ship then continues through Wu Gorge, known for its tall, dramatic cliffs. Wu Gorge is often the most atmospheric section of the passage, with the river enclosed by steep slopes and frequent bends. The scenery changes slowly, which is exactly why a cruise works well here. You are not racing from one viewpoint to another.

The third gorge, Xiling Gorge, leads toward the Yichang end of the route. It is associated with the final part of the journey and the approach to the Three Gorges Dam area. Taken together, the three gorges provide the main visual reason to choose the cruise.

The Small Boat Excursion on Shennong Stream

After the gorge scenery, the ship stops at Badong for an excursion described as Shennong Stream. The stop is also shown as Shennv Stream in the schedule, so confirm the final name and shore plan before departure.

The excursion includes a small pea boat ride on the stream. You leave the large cruise ship and travel on a much smaller craft, following a clear stream that originates on the southern slope of the Shennongjia area. This gives you a closer view of the waterway and a sharper sense of the scale of the surrounding cliffs.

The boat ride lasts about two hours. It is a useful contrast with the main cruise. On the large ship, you watch the river pass by from a deck. On the smaller boat, the waterway feels narrower and more immediate.

This is also the excursion most affected by operating conditions and scheduling. The tour provider notes that the three included sites can change according to the boat timetable. Do not treat every named stop as guaranteed until you receive the final excursion plan.

The Three Gorges Dam at Maoping

On the final morning, you disembark after an early breakfast at Maoping Pier in Zigui County, Yichang. The included shore visit goes to the Three Gorges Dam Project, described as the world’s largest water power project.

The dam is a major piece of modern engineering and an important reason many people choose this particular route. It changes the tone of the trip. After several days focused on cliffs, streams, and old cultural sites, you finish with a huge human-made structure that reshaped the river.

The visit lasts about two hours. An optional golf cart costs CNY 10 per person, so carry a small amount of Chinese currency if you want that convenience. The tour information specifically lists the golf cart as excluded, while the main dam excursion is included.

Your cruise ends at Maoping rather than in central Yichang. That distinction matters. Maoping is in Zigui County, and you should check your onward transport carefully before booking a train, flight, or hotel. The package does not include pier drop-off, so you need to arrange your own next step.

Life Onboard the Century Ships

The three possible ships are Century Oasis, Century Victory, and Century Glory. The sailing pattern provided is Century Victory on Wednesdays, Century Oasis on Saturdays, and Century Glory on Sundays. Confirm the assigned ship and sailing date before you make firm travel arrangements.

The ships are described as Chinese 5-star vessels, and the strongest praise is aimed at the ship’s condition, appointments, and friendly crew. The emphasis on cleanliness is important on a cruise, where the same cabin, dining room, and public spaces become your home for several days.

Accommodation is in a standard twin cabin unless you pay for another category. Suite-level rooms may be available, but you must ask before booking so the operator can check inventory. A solo guest who wants the cabin alone pays more, and the single supplement is substantial.

Meals include three breakfasts, two lunches, and three dinners. This covers the main cruise dining schedule, but you should not assume every snack, drink, or optional meal is included. The cruise service charge of CNY 200 per adult aged 12 or older is also separate.

Luggage handling is included, which makes boarding and disembarkation easier. You still need to keep essentials in a small day bag, especially medication, documents, valuables, and anything needed during a shore visit.

What the $768 Price Really Buys

The fare makes the most sense when you compare it with the individual pieces. You receive:

• Three nights in a cruise cabin
• Three breakfasts, two lunches, and three dinners
• Three included shore excursions
• Chinese and English onboard guide service
• Luggage handling
• A boat route from Chongqing to the Yichang area

That is a useful bundle, especially if you value convenience. You do not need to find a new hotel in Fengdu, Badong, or near the gorges, and you avoid arranging separate transport for each stop.

The cost is less attractive if you are a solo budget traveler. A 75 percent single supplement raises the total sharply, and the CNY 200 service charge adds another required expense for adults. You also pay for your own transport to Chaotianmen and away from Maoping.

The price is most suitable for couples, friends, or family members who can share a standard cabin. If you want a suite, contact the operator before booking rather than assuming an upgrade will be available onboard.

Timing, Flexibility, and Practical Limits

The cruise is not fully fixed in the way a land tour can be. The operator warns that schedules differ from year to year, and the three included excursions may be changed to match the boat’s operating plan. This is normal for a river itinerary, but you should be comfortable with some flexibility.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. For a sailing next year, check the schedule first. The weekly ship pattern may help you choose a date, but it should not replace direct confirmation.

The activity is suitable for most people, and the organized format keeps the logistics fairly simple. Still, each shore visit involves getting off the ship, walking around, and returning on a timetable. Wear sensible shoes and keep track of the meeting time.

The cancellation terms are strict. The booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. I would only reserve after confirming your dates, cabin arrangement, ship assignment, and onward plans from Maoping.

Should You Book the Chongqing to Yichang Cruise?

I would choose this cruise if you want the Three Gorges with minimal hotel changes and organized sightseeing. It suits couples, families, and first-time visitors to the Yangtze who prefer a comfortable ship, included meals, and English-language assistance.

I would hesitate if you need a flexible schedule, want to travel alone on a tight budget, or dislike packaged shore excursions. The final stops can change, the single supplement is high, and the start and end piers require your own transport planning.

Before booking, confirm the assigned ship, the final three excursions, the cabin type, the CNY 200 service charge, and your transport from Maoping. If those details work for you, this is a strong, practical way to see Qutang, Wu, and Xiling Gorges in one well-organized trip.

FAQ

How long is the Yangtze cruise from Chongqing to Yichang?

The cruise lasts about four days and three nights.

Where does the cruise begin?

It begins at Chongqing Chaotianmen Pier.

What time does boarding begin?

Boarding is scheduled from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., with departure listed at about 9:30 p.m.

Where does the cruise end?

It ends at Maoping Pier in Zigui County, in the Yichang area of Hubei Province.

Are meals included?

Yes. The package includes three breakfasts, two lunches, and three dinners.

Are shore excursions included?

Three shore excursions are included. The sites can change according to the boat schedule, so you should confirm the final three excursions before departure.

Which ships may operate this route?

The possible ships are Century Oasis, Century Victory, and Century Glory. The provided sailing pattern lists Century Victory on Wednesdays, Century Oasis on Saturdays, and Century Glory on Sundays.

Is hotel or pier transportation included?

No. River pier and hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Is a private cabin included in the advertised price?

The advertised price is based on a standard cabin shared by two people. A solo guest who wants the cabin alone must pay a 75 percent single-room supplement.

Is there an extra cruise charge?

Yes. A cruise service charge of CNY 200 per person applies to adults aged 12 and older. The optional golf cart at the Three Gorges Dam costs CNY 10 per person.