Upon your arrival in Yichang -whether at Three Gorges Airport or Yichang East Railway Station, a local representative will welcome you and transfer you to Huangling Temple Port to board the Yangzi Explorer
If you reach the meeting point by 2:00 PM, you may enjoy a complimentary half-day tour of Yichang. Please select one of the following options:
Option A: Three Gorges Project Tour
The Three Gorges Dam is one of the world’s largest hydro-engineering feats, featuring massive water-impoundment structures, flood-control systems, power-generation facilities, and navigation locks. As part of the Yangzi Explorer’s exclusive itinerary, you will:
Option B: Quyuan Temple & Hubei Three Gorges Resettlement Museum
After you’ve settled into your cabin, please join us at the Dynasty Restaurant for dinner. The evening will conclude with a safety briefing followed by the Captain’s Welcome Reception at the Explorer Bar.
Begin your morning with a freshly brewed tea or coffee, followed by an energizing Tai Chi lesson led by on board master - perfect for working up an appetite.
As the Yangzi Explorer sets sail, you’ll pass through an engineering marvel: the Three Gorges Ship Lift, the world’s largest and most advanced of its kind. With a lifting capacity of 15,500 tons and a vertical rise of 113 meters, it’s one of the few structures that your cruise ship can traverse under its own power - no extra shore excursion required. Sit back and enjoy the spectacle from the comfort of your cabin. Please note: the lift undergoes annual maintenance for approximately 35 days at the end of August.
Next, Sailing through the western reaches of Xiling Gorge, the most dramatic stretch of the Yangtze's Three Gorges.
Upon arrival in Badong County, choose one of two immersive excursions:
Option A: Wuyuan Cave
Glide through this underground wonder on a traditional wooden sampan, surrounded by breathtaking limestone formations. Afterward, sample mountain-spring tea and authentic Tujia snacks.
Option B: Badong Museum & Wu Gorge Lookout
Explore the Badong Museum’s rich displays of Tujia and Miao history—ancient artifacts, traditional attire, folk art, and historical documents. Then, stroll across a thrilling glass-suspended bridge to the Wu Gorge Lookout for panoramic river vistas.
In the evening, enjoy A Journey Through a Thousand Years in Badong, an outdoor cultural spectacle that weaves tales of integrity, love, bravery, and tradition. Should this performance be unavailable, we’ll welcome you instead at the Tang Theatre for an equally enchanting show.
After breakfast, the Yangzi Explorer sail through the breathtaking Wu Gorge - famous for its soaring, forest-clad peaks - and the dramatic, narrow Qutang Gorge, where towering cliffs rise above the river's swift currents.
Upon arrival in Fengjie, choose one of three excursions:
Option A: White Emperor City
A 15-minute coach ride brings you to this historic fortress perched above Qutang Gorge. Wander through exhibition halls showcasing local calligraphy, paintings, and artifacts that chronicle centuries of regional heritage. Be sure to take in the sweeping views of Kuimen ("Gate of the Gorge"), immortalized on China's 10 yuan note.
Option B: Light trekking in Qutang Gorge
Trek a scenic one-hour segment of the Poetic Trail, ascending narrow switchbacks hewn into the gorge walls. This highlighted stretch delivers unforgettable river vistas and an intimate encounter with the landscape that has inspired travelers for generations.
Option C: Three Gorges Summit
Enjoy a coach transfer to the Three Gorges Summit viewing platform, where you can watch a spectacular sunset over the highest peaks of the famed gorges. As the golden light plays across the cliffs, you’ll understand why this panorama remains one of China’s most celebrated sights.
After dinner, enrich your understanding of Fengjie's legacy with a lecture by a local scholar. Exploring both historic traditions and modern developments, the presentation will be delivered in Chinese, with simultaneous English translation provided by cruise director.
This morning, the Yangzi Explorer will dock at Shibao Pier in Zhongxian County, a region steeped in history and culture. After breakfast, select one of three specially curated excursions:
Option A: Shibaozhai (Precious Stone Fortress)
Discover this ancient wooden marvel, famed for its striking pavilion - one of China’s few surviving multi-story wooden structures. Perched atop a 220-meter hill on the Yangtze’s north bank, the pavilion rises 56 meters with twelve distinct floors. Legend holds that goddess Nüwa shaped the hill itself while repairing the heavens, and the pavilion’s gleaming silhouette has earned it the nickname “Nine Heavens.”
Option B: Xituo Ancient Town
A short ferry ride across the river brings you to Xituo, once the western border of ancient Bazhou and a vital salt-trade hub since the pre-Qin era. Wander its mist-shrouded Yunti Street - 1,314 stone steps winding from the pier to the town’s heart - while soaking in centuries-old architecture and local customs that earned Xituo its place among the world’s earliest trading towns.
Option C: Huanghua Island
Located at the very heart of the Three Gorges Reservoir, Huanghua Island boasts a rare island-fortress layout dating to the Song Dynasty. Explore the ruins of its ancient city walls and government offices, remnants of the fortified Huanghua City that once served as the seat of Xianchun Prefecture.
Whichever excursion you choose, you’ll return to the Yangzi Explorer enriched by the region’s architectural wonders, vibrant traditions, and timeless legends.
In the morning, disembark at Chaotianmen Port in Chongqing at around 9:00 AM.
Chongqing, is located in the southwestern part of the China. Known as the Mountain City for its dramatic hilly terrain and soaring skyline, perched at the strategic confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers, Chongqing has long served as a pivotal river port, transportation hub, and commercial center.
You will be transferred to Chongqing Airport, Railway Station, or downtown Chongqing for your onward journey.
All the times on the schedule are estimated ones which are subject to change due to weather and navigation conditions. All shore excursions departure times and duration are approximate and may vary under Force Majeur circumstances.