Yangtze Cruise from Chongqing to Wuhan

Good morning! Awaken your senses with a buffet breakfast, and then we’ll take an onshore excursion to Fengdu Ghost City, a theme park that showcases the philosophy of life and death. By visiting the Hall of Yama that reflects Taoist concepts of hell and judgement, the Bridge of Helplessness that represents Buddhist reincarnation, and clay sculptures that guide filial piety in Confucianism, you’ll gain deep insights into rich beliefs and ethical norms of the afterlife in traditional Chinese culture. Noticeably, this enduring culture seems to have gifted local people with an easygoing attitude toward death, plus their healthy diet, thus Fengdu is now also dubbed ‘Land of Longevity’. 

Once back on the cruise, enjoy a buffet lunch and free time on board. For those seeking a more enriching cultural experience, consider an excursion to watch the live performance ‘War Fire of Three Kingdoms’ at your own expense, which brings thrilling battle scenes 1,800 years ago to life with diverse high-tech methods. 

Later, your day will wrap up with a buffet dinner onboard.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cruise: President No.7 (5-star)

Start your day with a buffet breakfast and then bask in the stunning natural vistas from the deck. Or else, you can choose a shore excursion to White Emperor City at your own expense at around 08:00. After a brisk climb, watch how this “lonely island” is connected to the mainland by a covered bridge and admire the clay sculptures and steles of the Three Kingdoms Period (220 - 280 AD) in the temple. 

Prefer to stay onboard? About 11:00, we’ll pass through the majestic Qutang Gorge, where the iconic mountains grace the CNY 10 banknote, standing tall and guarding the pass. This awe-inspiring sight encapsulates the essence of strength and integrity what Chinese pursue. Perhaps prepare a banknote beforehand and say cheese here. Post-lunch, our journey continues to the Wu Gorge. As the river narrows, the mountains soar higher, cutting through the sky like colossal pillars. The deeper we venture, the more the gorge reveals its dramatic character, with rock walls folded through ages of tectonic activity like armor. Your imagination will also run wild when spotting those fascinating rock formations – some that look like fierce lions, mythical dragons, and even a pair of giant scissors!

Next, let’s hop onto a round-trip peapod boat for a side trip to Shennong Stream, where towering cliffs give way to lush green landscapes, decorated with mysterious suspended coffins. After uncovering some caves and local stilt houses, return to the cruise for relaxation and cap off the day with a buffet dinner.

Tonight, the cruise ship will navigate the Three Gorges Dam’s ‘water escalator’ - the five-stage ship lock - smoothly descending nearly 40 stories. It is so calm that even a teacup’s water won’t spill! While the entire process lasts 3-4 hours, it’s advisable to glimpse the first lock at around 23:30 to keep your night restful. 

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cruise: President No.7 (5-star)

Wake up to another buffet breakfast before our onshore visit to the Three Gorges Dam, a true marvel of modern engineering. Beyond its crucial flood control purpose, this giant structure generates clean hydroelectric power, whose cumulative electricity generation capacity of 1.8 trillion degrees can support an electrocar circle around the equator nearly 300 million times! Ascend the Tanziling viewing platform, the highest vantage point, for the dam’s panorama and watch a contrast between the serene upstream lake and the fierce currents flowing downstream at the 185 Observation Deck.

Back on board and enjoy a buffet lunch, and we’ll then embrace the scenery of Xiling Gorge around 12:30. This stretch was once known for fierce rapids, where large ships could only pass with the help of boatmen. To move vessels just 100 meters (328 feet), over 60 hardy individuals, including local women and children, would toil for two hours. Barefoot or wearing straw sandals, they trudged over the pebbled riverbed to earn a meager wage of only CNY 7 (USD 1) per trip to make a living. The towing chants they created during their labor have since become a precious local intangible cultural heritage. Reaching the gorge’s end, we’ll encounter the impressive Gezhou Dam, whose construction has calmed the waters. If you missed catching our cruise ship passing through the locks last night, don’t worry! The chance comes again.

Afterward, plan the remainder of the day as you prefer.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cruise: President No.7 (5-star)

Spend a free morning on board after a buffet breakfast. Around 14:00, we’ll visit Yueyang Tower onshore. Standing atop this entirely wooden structure, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of China’s second-largest freshwater lake. Its imposing presence inspired the famous saying, “Be the first to worry about the world’s troubles and the last to enjoy its pleasures”. Believe that you’ll share the same sentiment as the author. 

As your cruise journey approaches its final chapter, join us this evening for the captain’s farewell banquet and entertaining performances by the crew. Wish you a wonderful last night - sweet dreams ahead!

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cruise: President No.7 (5-star)

Your China Yangtze River cruise package will end today. After breakfast, please pack your luggage; the cruise ship will dock at the port in Wuhan between 08:30 and 09:30. May you have made unforgettable memories with us! If you need an extra transfer to Wuhan airport or railway station, we’re happy to arrange it for you.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast

If you'd like to travel upstream, the itinerary is as below for your reference.
Day 1: Cruise Boarding in Wuhan
Day 2: Excursion to Yueyang Tower
Day 3: Excursion to Three Gorges Dam
Day 4: Excursion to Shennv Stream & White Emperor City
Day 5: Excursion to Fengdu Ghost City
Day 6: Departure from Chongqing