4 Night Cruise from Yichang to Chongqing via Shennongjia

Day 1 - Yichang, on board the Yangzi Explorer

Upon your arrival at Yichang, either at the Three Gorges Airport or Yichang East Railway Station, you will be greeted by a representative and transferred to Yichang 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:

Visit Three Gorges Project River Closure Park, where you can view original construction relics—such as support walls, tetrahedral anchors, and heavy machinery - preserved on the dam’s forecourt.

Explore the Three Gorges Project Museum, opened to the public in August 2022, which presents the project’s planning, construction, and operational history in one of the world’s largest hydropower-themed museums.

Option B: Quyuan Temple & Hubei Three Gorges Resettlement Museum

Quyuan Temple sits amid Hubei’s picturesque landscape, honoring Qu Yuan, the celebrated poet and statesman of the Warring States period. Wander through traditional architecture and tranquil gardens, and admire sweeping views of the Three Gorges Dam.

Hubei Three Gorges Resettlement Museum chronicles the extraordinary stories of the communities relocated during the dam’s construction. Through immersive exhibits, you’ll gain insight into the social, cultural, and environmental impacts of this landmark project.

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.

In the late evening, witness a marvel of modern engineering as the Yangzi Explorer navigates through the world’s largest and most technologically advanced ship lift - the Three Gorges Ship Lift. With a lifting capacity of 15,500 tons and a vertical rise of 113 meters, equivalent to the height of a 40-story building, this incredible feat of engineering is sure to impress.

Please note that the passage is subject to weather conditions and water levels, which may impact transit times. Additionally, the ship lift undergoes annual maintenance at the end of August and will be closed for approximately 35 days.

Day 2 - Shennongjia

Start your morning with an early bird tea or coffee, followed by a Tai Chi lesson led by the onboard Tai Chi Master, preparing you for a delightful breakfast. Today, embark on a full-day excursion to the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site of Shennongjia. Nestled between the Yangtze River and the Han River, Shennongjia National Park is renowned for its towering peaks, rising above 3,000 meters, and is often referred to as the Roof of Central China.

Explore the Guanmenshan Scenic Area, home to a natural exhibition hall, a unique botanical garden, and a giant panda pavilion. Here, you can encounter a variety of rare animals and plants, offering a living testament to Darwin’s theories.

The 3,200-square-kilometer nature reserve is known as the only well-preserved sub-tropical forest ecosystem in the world’s mid-latitudes, housing more than 5,000 species of animals and plants. It is also home to snub-nosed and golden monkeys, both rare and protected species in China. Let’s delve into the ancient forest landscapes, where rugged mountains are adorned with a lush tapestry of bamboo, vines, and vibrantly colored flora.

Day 3 - Wu Gorge, Qutang Gorge, Fengjie

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.

Day 4 - Shibao, Zhongxian

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.

Day 5 - Disembark in Chongqing

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.