Downstream Yangtze Cruise from Chongqing to Yichang

In the morning, gentle, soothing music will wake you up. As you open the curtains and gaze from the balcony, you’ll be greeted by the breathtaking view of the Yangtze River. Before breakfast, you have an opportunity to enjoy a healthy start with Tai Chi, a traditional Chinese martial art.

After that, follow the local guide on today’s onshore excursion to visit Fengdu Ghost City (or Xiaoguanshan Folklore Culture Park, at your preference). It is the only scenic area that offers a physical experience of the Chinese ghost culture ‘underworld’ through scenes and architectural complexes. According to Chinese legend, this is where Yama, the King of Hell, judges the souls of the deceased. You can see the Bridge of Forgetfulness linking the realms of the living and the dead; the Gate of Hell, where souls are assessed for good and evil; the Eighteen Hells, where evil souls are punished; and the Hall of the Emperor, dedicated to Yama. However, don’t be afraid; the essence of Ghost City culture is not fear or horror but a “soul judgment system” rooted in Taoist and Buddhist folklore, focusing on cause and effect and encouraging good deeds. Its main purpose is to punish evil and promote virtue.

Then, return to the cruise ship to enjoy your free afternoon, unwinding on the sundeck, using the ship’s amenities, or participating in cultural activities. In the evening, let’s go ashore again to watch the ‘War Fire of the Three Kingdoms’, a live-action show set in a natural landscape.
* If the show is canceled, the itinerary will be modified to include a visit to White Emperor City on the morning of Day 3.

► For Your Information
1. Certain cruise ships may offer shore excursions to destinations such as Fengdu Shuanggui Mountain, Mingshan Mountain, or Baiheliang Underwater Museum.
2. Standard cruises do not include the evening show ‘War Fire of the Three Kingdoms’; if you wish to watch it, the expense is on your own.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
New Century Cruises: Century Glory, Century Oasis or Century Victory (5-star)

Today, the cruise will pass through the Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge, and Xiling Gorge, the tour’s most unmissable highlights. Qutang Gorge, the shortest of the Three Gorges, is the most breathtaking. As we enter Qutang Gorge via the Kuimen Gate, where the cliffs on either side rise sheer and hundreds of meters tall, you’ll see the river suddenly narrow from hundreds of meters wide to less than 50 meters (164 feet), as if heaven and earth have abruptly converged, with the water roaring like thunder. 

Measuring approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) long, Wu Gorge is the most scenic of the three, and you will see it after lunch. Its unique charm lies in the perfect harmony of natural beauty and cultural legends. The story of Jade Emperor’s youngest daughter turning into the Goddess Peak to protect the Three Gorges has been passed down through generations, adding a romantic touch and giving each mountain peak a spiritual significance. Later, we will disembark for a side trip on a small boat to Goddess Stream, a tributary of the Yangtze River. During our round-trip boat ride, you can enjoy breathtaking natural scenery, experience the distinctive culture of the local Tujia minority, and explore historic relics.

After we get back to the cruise ship, we’ll pass through the longest section, Xiling Gorge. Once the most hazardous part of the river, filled with reefs, riffles, and rocks, Xiling Gorge has become gentler and milder after years of improvement in the river course and the construction of the Gezhou Dam.

► For Your Information
1. Certain cruise ships might offer a boat tour of Shennong Stream or the Little Three Gorges instead of Goddess Stream.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
New Century Cruises: Century Glory, Century Oasis or Century Victory (5-star)

After a full night of sailing, the ship will arrive at Maoping Pier in Yichang this morning. You need to pack your belongings, check out from the cruise, and disembark for a guided visit to the impressive Three Gorges Dam, one of the world’s largest hydroelectric projects. The Three Gorges Dam is frequently compared to the Hoover Dam in the United States. Some admire the Hoover Dam’s graceful arched design, while others are captivated by the advanced construction technology of the Three Gorges Dam. Despite their differences, both stand as symbols of humanity’s efforts to manage floods and reshape the landscape. They reflect the remarkable courage and foresight of their respective nations in confronting natural and modern challenges.

After seeing the dam, you’ll likely wonder about its construction process, including how the ship lift and locks function, and how the lock gates withstand water pressure. Next, we’ll visit the Three Gorges Project Museum to explore a detailed overview of the dam’s development, from initial planning and preparation to its final construction and power generation, with an engaging display illustrating its design and construction principles. Finally, you’ll reach the Three Gorges Dam Closure Memorial Park, the only spot in the entire scenic area where you can take a photo with the imposing dam directly in front. As you observe the engineering command center, repurposed from blue shipping containers, along with massive construction machinery, damming stones, and stone silos left over from the construction site, you’ll gain a deep understanding of the project’s immense engineering challenge. During the flood season from June to August, you can also witness the impressive flood discharge.

The cruise company offers a luggage transfer service from the pier to the Tourist Center, allowing you to finish your China Yangtze River cruise package in downtown Yichang and continue your onward journey.

► For Your Information
1. If you need an extra airport or railway station transfer in Yichang, we’re happy to arrange it.
2. Standard cruises include only a visit to the Three Gorges Dam and exclude the Project Museum and Closure Memorial Park.
3. If you’re interested, you can personally experience the world’s largest and most technologically advanced ship lift at your own expense. If you choose to experience it, the tour will end around 13:30, about an hour later than usual.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast