As a local tour guide who has accompanied travelers on the Yangtze River cruise about 300 times, I would like to share some insider information to enhance your cruising experience.
Hi, I'm Richard, and I'm passionate about my city, Chongqing! From 1997 to 2001, I worked as a cruise guide on the Three Gorges River, where I developed my hospitality and communication skills. Later, I became a local and national tour guide, gaining extensive knowledge of the city's rich culture and history. I love meeting people from all over the world and helping them experience the best that Chongqing has to offer.
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- 1. Choose Downstream or Upstream
- 2. Choose Your Cabin
- 3. Enjoy the View from the Sun Deck
- 4. Dining on the Cruise
- 5. Wi-Fi on the Cruise
- 6. Bring Some Cash
- 7. Watch the Show on the Cruise
- 8. Shore Excursions
- 9. Take Care of Your Room Key
- 10. What to Wear
- Recommended China Tours Including a Yangtze Cruise
1. Choose Downstream or Upstream
Yangtze River cruises typically last 3 nights going downstream (Chongqing to Yichang) and 4 nights going upstream (from Yichang to Chongqing). Compared to the downstream journey, the upstream route is slightly more relaxing.
If you choose to go downstream:
- You will have the opportunity to enjoy the stunning night view of Chongqing when the cruise departs around 9 PM.
Night view of the Jialing River at Chaotianmen Wharfe- Your trip will conclude in Yichang after an excursion to the Three Gorge Dam. The cruise can arrange for your checked luggage to be sent to the tourist center in Yichang City, where you will meet your local guide.
- You can expect to arrive at the Yichang Tourist Center around 12:00-12:30 PM after visiting the Three Gorges Dam. If you opt for the optional tour of the dam ship lift, your arrival at the tourist center will be around 1:00-1:30 PM.
If you take a high-speed train or flight on the same day, it is advisable to book for after 4:00 PM. However, due to potential delays caused by fog or other factors, it's safer to choose a later flight or train.
2. Choose Your Cabin
Century Glory's Family SuiteMost cruises offer cabins with compact balconies. These rooms are similar to hotel rooms, albeit slightly smaller, making the cruises feel like floating hotels.
Typically, upper cabins and those closer to the bow are quieter. Remember to close the curtains before docking.
3. Enjoy the View from the Sun Deck
Century Oasis's Observation DeckWhen the boat passes through the gorges, the best vantage point is the sun deck, where you can enjoy panoramic views. If the weather permits, head up to the sun deck to take in the magnificent scenery. There are deck chairs available if it's not too crowded.
Panoramic views of gorges4. Dining on the Cruise
Victoria Cruises' BuffetMost cruises feature several restaurants to choose from. You can also upgrade to the VIP restaurant for a more exclusive ambiance and slightly better food and drinks.
Generally, the restaurant opens about 10 minutes before the scheduled time. Most newer cruises offer free seating, so if you prefer a window seat, arrive early to secure a good table.
Century Cruise Line typically provides dinner on the first night, while most others do not. You may want to have an early dinner before boarding. Victoria Cruise Line offers combo meals at reasonable prices.
Recommended Yangtze Cruise Tours
5. Wi-Fi on the Cruise
Some cruises provide free Wi-Fi in certain public areas, though the speed and connectivity may be limited. However, 4G and 5G cellular coverage is generally good, so it's advisable to get a roaming data package from your carrier.
Having a WeChat account is also convenient, as the cruise can share activity updates and important information through it.
6. Bring Some Cash
There are no ATMs onboard the cruise, so if you need Chinese RMB for incidental expenses, withdraw cash from an ATM in previous cities. Most cruises offer cash exchange for major foreign currencies, but the exchange rate is usually less favorable than the official bank rate, and the bills must be crisp and new.
You can charge shopping, laundry, optional shore excursions, and other personal expenses to your room and settle the bill at the end with major credit cards.
Note that Alipay, WeChat Pay, and credit cards may not always work, so it's safer to carry some cash in USD or euros.
7. Watch the Show on the Cruise
Performances on boardIf you want to see the performance by the staff and crew, arrive early, as seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Seats in the performance room8. Shore Excursions
The cruise guide is responsible for arranging shore excursions and providing commentary while navigating the gorges. You can listen to site explanations through the PA system.
The Three Gorges consist of three sections of mountain canyons divided by broad valleys, so don't miss the most scenic parts of your voyage.
A shore excursion to Shennong Stream9. Take Care of Your Room Key
Always wear your room key around your neck, as it also serves as your boarding pass when you finish your excursion.
10. What to Wear
It's advisable to wear comfortable, non-slip shoes and water-resistant jackets, and consider wearing vibrant colors to stand out in a crowd.
The captain's dinner is usually casual, so smart casual attire is recommended. Avoid showing up in pajamas and slippers.
The captain's dinnerRecommended China Tours Including a Yangtze Cruise
China's convenient transportation makes it easy to transfer from Chongqing and Yichang to popular cities, whether on an upstream or downstream cruise. Suggested routes include Chongqing–Chengdu, Chongqing–Guilin, and Yichang–Zhangjiajie.
Our guest took photos in Zhangjiajie National Forest ParkThe high-speed train from Chongqing to Chengdu takes about 1.5 hours, making it easy to experience the city's gastronomy and pandas. Explore our Chengdu tours or contact us for a customized Yangtze and Chengdu package.
Our guest watched giant pandas in ChengduGuilin, known for its stunning karst landscapes, is also easily accessible from Chongqing. Check our Guilin tours to enhance your Yangtze cruise experience.
Longji Rice Terraces in GuilinFirst-time visitors often combine a Yangtze River cruise with classic destinations to enjoy China's diverse scenery and culture. Here are our top Yangtze tour itineraries:
- The Majestic Yangtze (12-Day Tour): Explore ancient culture and modern marvels along the Yangtze River.
- A Close Experience with Pandas (13-Day Private Tour): Enjoy a panda encounter in Chengdu, along with a Yangtze cruise.
- Nature of China (15-Day Tour): Experience the beauty of the Yangtze and Zhangjiajie, along with major cities.
Our tours can be customized based on your needs. Contact us for a bespoke tour.