Yangzi Explorer

Downstream
Destinations
Chongqing to Yichang
Cruise Duration
4 days/3 nights
Upstream
Destinations
Yichang to Chongqing
Cruise Duration
5 days/4 nights
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Yangzi Explorer

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  • Highlights
  • Downstream Itinerary
  • Upstream Itinerary
  • Ship Facilities
  • Inclusions/Exclusions
  • Important Info

Highlights

Baiheliang Underwater Museum (White Crane Ridge)
816 Underground Project
Shennongjia
Qutang Gorge
Wu Gorge
Xiling Gorge
Three Gorges Dam

Enjoy the magnificence of the Yangtze River in total luxury aboard the gorgeous Yangzi Explorer

Imagine a leisurely luxury cruise through the heart of China absorbing the history, culture, and traditions to be found along the full stretch of the magnificent Yangtze River. You’ll find it aboard the stylish Yangzi Explorer. Newly built in 2025 to accommodate just 148 passengers, the only all-suite cruise ship on Yangtze River offers an experience in understated luxury, providing a 1:1 ratio of staff to guests for the ultimate in attentive service. Travel either up or downstream and take advantage of the opportunity to view and visit the river’s highlights along the way, including Baiheliang Underwater Museum (White Crane Ridge), beautiful Shennongjia, the Qutang, Wu, and Xiling Gorges, and the Three Gorges Dam. Back onboard, savor the chance to relax totally between shore excursions, either on the ship’s deck or in your beautifully appointed suite. Inclusive of a selection of onboard meals, shore excursions, entertainment, with the option to add on activities, cruising with the Yangzi Explorer is a wonderful way to experience the river and China at its best.


Cruise Boat Stats

Year Built: 2025
All-Balcony Suites:74
Passenger capacity:148
Passenger decks:5
Crew: 141

Cabin Information

Room TypeCabins
Celestial & Imperial Suite2 | 105 m2
Jade & Mandarin Suite2 | 89 m2
Ambassador Suite12 | 40 m2
Deluxe Suite58 | 31 m2

Downstream Itinerary

Day 1 - Depart Chongqing

Afternoon:
Embarkation at Chaotianmen Port
(Complimentary Transfer Services from Chongqing Airport or Chongqing Railway Station for Embarkation.)

Evening:
Dinner Buffet
Brief Safety Orientation; Captain’s Welcome Reception

Meals included: Dinner

Day 2 - Cruise the Yangtze River (Fuling & Zhongxian)

Morning:
Coffee, Tea, Tai Chi Lesson, Breakfast

Excursions:
Option A: the 816 Underground Project
Option B: White Crane Ridge Underwater Museum + A local market

À la carte Lunch

Afternoon:
Feel free to unwind and enjoy your afternoon by taking part in the onboard experiences.

Evening:
Dinner Buffet

Night Excursion:
Option A: “The War Fire of Three Kingdoms” Show
Option B: Zhongzhou Old Alley Walk

Late-night Snacks

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3 - Cruise the Yangtze River (Wushan)

Morning:
Sail the Qutang Gorge
Coffee, Tea, Tai Chi Lesson, Breakfast

Excursions:
Option A: Hike the trail of Wushan Goddess Sky Road
Option B: Go on the Daning & Madu River Adventure
Option C: Enjoy Bamboo Angling (Seasonal)

Lunch Buffet
Navigate the Wu Gorge

Evening:
À la carte Dinner

Three Gorges Ship Lift
(subject to water level, weather, maintenance conditions)
Live Music Onboard

Late-night Snacks

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4 - Disembark in Yichang

Morning:
Coffee, Tea, Breakfast
Complimentary Self-guided Visit to Huangling Temple
Disembarkation

Excursions:
Option A: Three Gorges Dam Visit
(Three Gorges Project Museum, Memorial Park of the Interception)
Option B: Visit to Qu Yuan Temple & Hubei Three Gorges Resettlement Museum

Farewell Lunch at Juweng Restauranat in Yichang

Transfer to Yichang Airport or East Railway Station for your departure to next destination.

Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch

Upstream Itinerary

Day 1 - Depart Yichang

Pre-Cruise Excursions (if reach the meeting point by 2pm)
Option A: Three Gorges Dam Visit
(Three Gorges Project Museum, Memorial Park of the Interception)
Option B: Visit to Qu Yuan Temple & Hubei Three Gorges Resettlement Museum
 
Afternoon:
Embarkation at Huangling Temple Port
(Complimentary Transfer Services from Chongqing Airport or Chongqing Railway Station for Embarkation.)
Complimentary Self-guided Visit to Huangling Temple

Evening:
Dinner Buffet
Three Gorges Ship Lift Transit
Brief Safety Orientation; Captain’s Welcome Reception
(subject to water level, weather and maintenance conditions)

Meals included: Dinner

Day 2 - Cruise the Yangtze River (Shennongjia)

Morning:
Coffee, Tea, Tai Chi Lesson, Breakfast

Excursions:
A full-day tour of UNESCO Heritage - Shennongjia
(Visit Shengnongjia Guanmenshan Scenic Area)

Evening:
Dinner Buffet
Live Music Onboard
Late-night Snacks

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 3 - Cruise the Yangtze River (Fengjie)

Morning:
Coffee, Tea, Tai Chi Lesson, Breakfast

Navigate the Wu Gorge and Qutang Gorge

Lunch Buffet

Excursions:
Option A: Visit the historic White Emperor City
Option B: Light trekking along Poetic Trail in Qutang Gorge
Option C: Reach the Three Gorges Summit for stunning views
 
Evening:
À la carte Dinner
Live Music Onboard
Late-night Snacks

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4 - Cruise the Yangtze River (Zhongxian)

Morning:
Coffee, Tea, Tai Chi Lesson, Breakfast

Excursions:
Option A: Marvel at the ancient wooden architecture of Shibaozhai (Precious Stone Fortress)
Option B: Explore Xituo Ancient Town
Option C: Discover Huanghua Island Wetland & Archaeological Park

Lunch Buffet

Onboard Activites

Evening:
À la carte Dinner
Crew Cabaret
Live Music Onboard
Late-night Snacks

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5 - Disembark in Chongqing

Morning:
Coffee, Tea, Breakfast

Disembark in Chongqing around 9am and you will be transferred to Chongqing Airport, Railway Stations or downtown Chongqing for your onward journey.

Meals included: Breakfast

Ship Facilities

1. Suites
Yangzi Explorer has 4 Celebrity Suites, 12 Ambassador Suites, and 58 Deluxe Suites. Each suite has its own balconies and amenities, including private bathroom, hairdryer, safety deposit box, minibar, fridge and LCD satellite TV. Free Wi-Fi and welcome house wine are available for suites, together with a limited complimentary laundry and shoeshine service.

2. Restaurants and bars
Onboard all passengers have access to a number of restaurants and bars, including:

  • Dynasty Palace: The main restaurant onboard, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, from buffet style to a-la-carte featuring Chinese cuisine and international influences.
  • Amber Restaurant: It offers an exclusive dining experience for guests of the Ambassador and Celebrity Suites. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, it presents a curated menu that blends classic favorites with modern culinary artistry.
  • Sunset Hotpot House: Authentic hotpot for lunch and dinner with stunning panoramic views. It is complimentary for guests staying in the Celebrity Suites, while other guests may enjoy the experience with an additional fee.
  • Petrus Restaurant: An exclusive private dining journey for both lunch and dinner. One complimentary seating per cruise is reserved for Celebrity Suite guests, while other guests may partake by making a supplementary reservation.
  • View Lounge: Boasting panoramic views, this is the perfect space to relax, connect, and engage in cultural exchange.
  • Explorer Bar: Overlooking the river’s ever-changing scenery, it is a lively social hub, serving morning coffee, afternoon tea, and evening live music. The perfect space to relax.
  • Velvet Lounge: This exclusive retreat for guests staying in the Ambassador and Celebrity Suites offers a private space with a selection of snacks and beverages available throughout the day.

3. Leisure facilities
Unwind on this relaxing river cruise by taking full advantage of the onboard leisure facilities, including:

  • Tang Theatre: The main venue for the welcome safety briefing, lectures, documentary show, performances, and cooking class.
  • Explorer Deck: Soak up the sunshine and relax with other travelers in between shore excursions and other onboard activities, including the daily Tai Chi lesson on the sunshine deck.
  • Ning Spa: A haven of relaxation and tranquility on the cruise, offering beauty treatments, Traditional Chinese Medicine thearapy, and body massages in the individual treatment room and suites.
  • Fitness Centre: Keep active with the latest professional equiment found in the ship’s gym.
  • Kids’ Fun Corner: The dedicated space for children aged 2-12 years old is a world of imagination and excitement.

Inclusions / Exclusions

Inclusions:

  • Onboard accommodation based on double/twin occupancy in a Deluxe Suite on cruise boat
  • Admission fees: to sightseeing spots and activities as specified
  • Selected onboard activities as specified (Tai Chi, cultural activities, and onboard entertainment)
  • Meals: as specified in the itinerary
  • Transfer service in Chongqing and Yichang.
  • Travel Agency Liability Insurance during the tour
  • Government taxes and fees.

Exclusions

  • Any personal onboard spending of laundry, drink, telex, phone calls, beauty treatments, and other miscellaneous services
  • Gratuities to river guide, service staff and cruise director, and any other personnel
  • Any upgrades to a different floor or suite
  • China visa fees
  • This cruise does not include travel insurance. Please purchase travel insurance before your trip to provide for any unforeseen circumstances.

Important Information

  1. All times on the schedule are estimated and are subject to change due to weather and navigation conditions.
  2. All shore excursions departure times and duration are approximate and may subject to change if considered unsafe to operate.
  3. As the sailing port is to be finalized, you are advised to contact the cruise company before boarding to confirm the specific port of your cruise ship.
  4. Your disembarkation port may change due to weather and water levels on the day of your trip. Please keep your phone turned on. We need to reach you at all times. We highly recommend contacting ChinaTours.com or your cruise company on your boarding day to get the most accurate port information.
  5. Alteration of Itinerary: If unforeseen circumstance beyond our control require us to make relevant changes to the cruise itinerary, we reserve the right to cancel or change the sailing date, etc. Where it is necessary to change the accommodation, ChinaTours.com reserves the right to substitute it with accommodation of at least a similar standard. We make changes on the conditions that:
    • Events happened out of our control, such as war, fire, epidemics, health risks, typhoon,earthquake and other actual or potential severe weather conditions, etc. Under these conditions, extra fares will be charged if there any additional costs are incurred.
    • River conditions are subject to change. Due to any potential events, we reserve the right to alter programs to maintain the spirit of the cruise with concern for safety and in response to actual conditions during sailing. Unused services are not refundable.

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Testimonials


Brandon L
Brandon L
Reviewed on Sept 26, 2026
Tripadvisor score Joy was an absolute Joy

Sept 2026

Our trip to Xi’An was amazing and would not have been possible without the help of our tour guide, Joy. Joy was incredible in helping our family explore the Terracotta Warriors, Xi’An City Wall, and the Muslim Quarter. She also helped us in the market. I cannot recommend Joy enough!
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Victoria L
Victoria L
Reviewed on Sept 22, 2026
Tripadvisor score So much fun. We love Joy

Sept 2026

We had a great time. Joy was so excellent. She answered all of our questions and was so patient with all of our family needs. She helped us translate things in the market and was so kind. 100/10 recommend Joy!!
Read more Read less
Chris N
Chris N
Reviewed on Sept 21, 2026
Tripadvisor score Independent travel in China

Sept 2026 • Couples

We wanted to travel independently in China, but knew that there were some places we wanted a private guided tour. Dora from China tours was excellent! She found us guides and drivers for day tours tailored to our requirements in Beijing, Xian and Chengdu. The guides were friendly and knowledgeable. Dora was also extremely helpful and flexible when our plans changed. We knew she was always there for us! Would highly recommend Dora and China Tours
Read more Read less
Philip W
Philip W
Reviewed on Sept 17, 2026
Tripadvisor score Chongqing tours with Jennie through China Tours

Sept 2026 • Couples

We booked our China trip through China Tours, and Dora was our main contact who helped organize our visit across three cities. She was very helpful throughout the planning process and made the arrangements easy for us.

For our Chongqing tour, we were very lucky to have Jennie as our guide. She was patient, organized, caring, knowledgeable, and just a genuinely nice person to spend the day with. She made the whole experience feel easy, relaxed, and enjoyable.

One of the things we really appreciated was how much effort Jennie put into taking pictures for us. She used her professional-grade cameras and captured so many great moments throughout the day. At times, it honestly felt like we had a professional photographer traveling with us, which made the experience even more special.

Jennie also went well beyond what we expected from a tour guide. She had already been in touch with us before the tour to help us prepare, and even after the tour had ended, she continued to look out for us. The next day, she reminded us a couple of times about a drone show in Chongqing so that we would not miss it. She did not have to do that at all, and we really appreciated how thoughtful and caring she was.

We really enjoyed our time with Jennie and were very happy with the support we received from Dora and China Tours as well. We would happily recommend China Tours, and especially Jennie, to anyone visiting Chongqing.
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Napha P
Napha P
Reviewed on Sept 13, 2026
Tripadvisor score Jenny was a hard worker dedicated to providing us with the best service possible making our tour totally enjoyable. ❤️🥰

Sept 2026

Jenny was a hard worker dedicated to providing us with the best service possible making our tour totally enjoyable. ❤️🥰🥰
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Fabio M
Fabio M
Reviewed on Sept 09, 2026
Tripadvisor score Discover the attractions of Zhangjiajie with CHINA TOURS.

Sept 2026 • Solo

Perfectly organized tour with driver and guide, Mr. Mudong. Every day allowed me to discover enchanting places and attractions, both by day and by night. I highly recommend these people and this type of organization. Heartfelt thanks.
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Lyn R
Lyn R
Reviewed on Sep 02, 2026
Tripadvisor score Excellent Tour and Outstanding Guides

August 2026 . Friends

We had a very good experience and would definitely recommend this tour. The itinerary was well paced, covered the major sights we wanted to see, and the logistics were handled very well.

The guides were the strongest part of the trip. Helen was exceptional; Robert, John and Smile were all knowledgeable, attentive and flexible. They worked hard to make the trip comfortable and adjusted when needed. Smile’s recommendation of the Beijing acrobat show was an unexpected highlight.

We loved the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Terracotta Warriors, pandas and Shanghai Museum. The Peking duck experience was also excellent. Crowds were overwhelming at times, but that was beyond the tour company’s control.

There were a few areas for improvement; dietary restrictions needed better communication with restaurants, domestic airline baggage limits should be explained in advance, and we would have appreciated clearer instructions for high-speed train travel.

Overall, it was a memorable trip with excellent guides, good pacing and very well-managed logistics. We were very glad we chose this tour.
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Emily Rose
Emily Rose
Reviewed on August 26, 2026
Tripadvisor score Our tour guide Ken made the trip so special!

Aug 2026 • Couples

Ken was an AMAZING guide!! One of my favorite tour guides ever. He was so professional and knowledgeable and kind. He really looked after us and made sure everything was handled perfectly. Huge thanks to Ken!!
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