- Highlights
- Downstream Itinerary
- Upstream Itinerary
- Ship Facilities
- Inclusions/Exclusions
- Important Info
Highlights
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 Type | Cabins |
| Celestial & Imperial Suite | 2 | 105 m2 |
| Jade & Mandarin Suite | 2 | 89 m2 |
| Ambassador Suite | 12 | 40 m2 |
| Deluxe Suite | 58 | 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
- All times on the schedule are estimated and are subject to change due to weather and navigation conditions.
- All shore excursions departure times and duration are approximate and may subject to change if considered unsafe to operate.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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:
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- 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.
