Name: Luxury Yangtze River Cruise: From Chongqing to Yichang
Brand: WildChina
SKU: 1

About this Journey

Embark on this luxurious 4-day Yangtze River Cruise from Chongqing to Yichang aboard the brand new, state-of-the-art Yangzi Explorer, where nature’s grandeur and rich cultural heritage converge. Boasting an exceptional staff-to-guest ratio of 1:1, the Yangzi Explorer features 74 elegantly appointed river-view suites, ensuring an unparalleled level of personalized service and luxurious comfort throughout the journey.

Discover diverse landscapes, from the serene beauty of the Yangtze River’s Three Gorges to the captivating scenery of the Daning River, known for its tranquil waters and lush surroundings. Each day offers a new adventure, featuring explorations of hidden military caves in Fuling Mountain, a thrilling small boat excursion into the enchanting Madu River, and the chance to admire the remarkable hanging coffins nestled high on cliff faces. This journey offers an opportunity to connect deeply with the Yangtze’s majestic beauty and its rich history, while experiencing the height of luxury and personalized service onboard the Yangzi Explorer.

While WildChina believes the deepest connections with China are often forged on land through personal encounters and immersive experiences, this Yangtze River cruise offers a comfortable and accessible alternative, perfect for travelers prioritizing ease of travel, scenic relaxation, or those with mobility considerations.

What we love

Visiting Project 816 in Fuling Mountains, the largest man-made military cave that remained hidden for nearly 60 years.
Hiking along the Wushan cliffs, admiring the 12 Peaks, and ending the hike with a champagne reception at the lookout point.
Experiencing an engineering marvel onboard the Yangzi Explorer, as it ascends 113 meters from the dam on the Three Gorges Ship Lift

Map

Itinerary

Day 1 Chongqing

Upon arrival at the Chongqing airport or train station, you will be greeted by a representative and transferred to the Yangzi Explorer • Settle into your cabin, and enjoy dinner onboard, followed by a safety briefing and the Captain’s Welcome Reception • Admire Chongqing’s night view as we set sail downstream the Yangtze River.

Embarkation time: 4pm – 6pm

Meals included: Dinner

Day 2Fuling and Zhongxian

Begin the morning with a cup of coffee or tea, followed by a refreshing class of Tai Chi taught by a master • Disembark the ship for the morning excursion • Visit the secretive Project 816, the largest man-made military cave ever made, hidden in the Fuling Mountain for nearly 60 years (Option A) • Alternatively, visit the Baiheliang Underwater Museum, admiring the underwater ancient Tang Dynasty carvings and river bed, followed by a local market visit (Option B) • Return to the ship for an a-la-carte lunch, with the afternoon at your leisure • Embark for the evening excursion, with the option of two activities • Enjoy VIP seats at The Beacon of Three Kingdoms night show, a large-scale live performance mixing history and legend, with fireworks, light and water effects and more (Option A) • Enjoy a serene stroll through Zhongzhou Alley, where modern creativity blends with the survival of ancient architecture (Option B) • Return to the ship for a restful night, as we cruise to the next destination.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3Wushan

Enjoy breakfast as we sail across the Qutang Gorge, with surrounding green peaks and the calm river below • After breakfast, embark on today’s morning excursion • Hike along the cliffs of Wushan, admiring the Yangtze River below, and the 12 Peaks above, with a champagne reception waiting at the final lookout (Option A) • Embark on a river adventure, experiencing a scenic ferry ride on the Daning River, followed by a scenic boat excursion into Madu River, where remarkable hanging coffins hang along the cliff (Option B) • Return to the ship for lunch, while we pass through the most beautiful of all 3 gorges, the Wu Gorge • In the evening, experience an engineering marvel, as the ship ascends 113 meters from the dam on the Three Gorges Ship Lift.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4Yichang

Begin the morning with a cup of coffee or tea, followed by a refreshing class of Tai Chi taught by a master • Disembark the ship for the morning excursion • Visit the Three Gorges Dam, admiring the century-long engineering work on this 2,335 meter-long marvel, and learn more about this project at the Project Museum (Option A) • Discover the cultural Quyuan Temple, a tranquil sanctuary honoring the renowned poet Qu Yuan, before gaining a glimpse into the grandeur of the Three Gorges Dam at the Hubei Three Gorges Resettlement Museum (Option B) • Enjoy a selection of Yichang’s finest local dishes for lunch at a local restraurant • After lunch, you will be transferred to Yichang Airport or Yichang East Railway Station for your journey back home.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

The Yangzi Explorer

yangzi explorer lobby yangtze river cruise

Gallery

The Yangzi Explorer is a luxury cruise ship built in 2025, featuring 6 decks and 74 elegantly designed river-view suites. Each spacious suite blends modern and traditional Chinese decor, offering stunning vistas of the surrounding landscapes from private terraces. With a staff to guest ration of 1:1, dedicated butler service, and 24-hour doctor service, the Yangzi Explorer provides an unparalleled level of personalized service and care. Representing a masterpiece of modern cruise ship engineering, the ship is specially designed to traverse the demanding Three Gorges Ship Lift, the first of its kind.

Indulge in a variety of Chinese and Western cuisine at the four onboard restaurants, or sip on a cocktail whipped up by an experienced mixologist at the Explorer bar, surrounded by panoramic views. Rejuvenate at the world-class Ning Spa, attend a morning Tai Chi session led by an expert, or enjoy captivating entertainment at the Tang Theater. Unwind in the stylish lounge and observation deck, where the Star Gazing Terrace offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes.

Photos

Details

Departure Dates

The cruise operates weekly, departing every Thursday and concluding on Sunday.

What’s Included

Services of an English-speaking local guide and onboard service
Accommodation onboard based on double occupancy
All overland transfers with chauffeur and in-transport refreshments
Private chauffeur service to and from airport at start and end of your trip
Luggage service on embarkation and disembarkation days
All admission fees and activity expenses, as noted in the itinerary
Meals as noted in the itinerary with complimentary drinking water

What’s Excluded

International and domestic flights, domestic trains, plus relevant taxes
Chinese tourist visa, which is required for many foreign passport holders
Travel and medical insurance
Meals and drinks, apart from those included in the itinerary
Expenses of a personal nature
Excursions and activities not included in the itinerary
Discretionary gratuities for guides and drivers

Next Steps

How do I book this tour?

Please use the inquiry form on the right-hand side of this page or email info@wildchina.com to get started. One of our travel designers will be in touch accordingly to start the process of planning your custom China trip!

What is the payment schedule?

1.Deposit:

Once you are ready to book, a $500 USD per person planning fee is required to begin reserving your arrangements. This will go towards your total trip costs and will be taken off your final balance amount.

2.Full payment:

Full trip payment will be requested 60 days prior to departure. If you’re booking within 60 days of your departure, you may be asked to make the full payment straight away.

Payments can be made via credit card, bank transfer, WeChat or Alipay.

What is your cancellation policy?

See our full booking conditions here.

Why WildChina

We’re on the ground with you

During the planning phase, our team of specialist travel advisors based in China will design every detail of your trip with you. When you’re on the ground, they will then orchestrate your entire journey, maintaining close contact with each of your guides throughout your trip to ensure you’re having the best journey possible. With offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu, and an expansive network of operational partners across the country, we are committed to ensuring that your journey is safe, reliable and comfortable from beginning to end.

Your trip, your way

Flexibility is our highest-ranking complement. With over two decades of experience, we’ve run just about every type of journey you can imagine. No request is too strange, too extreme, or too exclusive. Our team regularly pulls off unprecedented logistical feats; nearly any time frame or budget is within our realm. No matter how you wish to experience China, we are here to bring that dream to life.

We embody passion

WildChina’s guides are carefully handpicked for their knowledge and charisma, then meticulously trained to maintain our exceptional service standards. They are expert storytellers and passionate natives of the regions where they guide, having the perfect combination of local insights and service know-how to bring you seamless once-in-a- lifetime moments all across China.

The little things, the big picture

We firmly believe that supporting local people and economies allows you to experience the soul of a destination, while also protecting and cultivating China’s cultures. From watching artisans’ hand-make shoes in Yunnan, to picking organic vegetables for dinner on a local farm in Fujian, our tours are designed to showcase and protect China’s heritage, both natural and human.

Luxury Yangtze River Cruise: From Chongqing to Yichang

Have questions?