Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer

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

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

Highlights

Baiheliang Underwater Museum
Shennong Stream
Qutang Gorge
Wu Gorge
Xiling Gorge
Three Gorges Dam

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 discover it aboard the stylish Yangzi Explorer. Fully refurbished to accommodate just 124 passengers, the Yangzi Explorer is 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 Shennong Stream, the Qutang, Wu, and Xiling Gorges, and the Three Gorges Dam. Back on board, 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

Launched Year:2008 (Refurbished 2016)
Total cabins:62
Passenger capacity:124
Passenger decks:5
Crew: 121

Cabin Information

Room TypeCabins
Celestial suite1 - 110 m2
Imperial suite1 - 110 m2
Mandarin suite1 - 81 m2
Jade suite1 - 81 m2
Regular Suite20 - 39 m2
Deluxe cabin38 - 31 m2

Downstream Itinerary

Day 1 - Depart Chongqing

Afternoon:
Board the cruise at the Chaotianmen Pier

Evening:
*Optional embarkation dinner
Welcome safety briefing and 816 Underground Project information

Meals included: None

Day 2 - Cruise the Yangtze River

Morning:
Coffee, tea, Tai Chi lesson, buffet breakfast
Visit to the 816 Underground Project
Or
Excursion to the White Crane Ridge Underwater Museum and a local market

À la carte lunch

Afternoon:
Lecture on Chinese foot reflexology and traditional Chinese medicine delivered in the Tang Theatre
Captain's welcome reception with complimentary canapés

Evening:
Buffet dinner
*Optional Three Kingdoms open air show (CNY290 per person)

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3 - Cruise the Yangtze River

Morning:
Coffee, tea, Tai Chi lesson, buffet breakfast
*Optional tour to White Emperor City (CNY290 per person. Excursion depends on booking numbers)

Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge, Xiling Gorge

Shore excursion to Shennong Stream with an exclusive visit to the Tracker's Village (Subject to water level and weather conditions)

Evening:
Farewell dinner
Three Gorges Project lecture
Live band performance

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 - Cruise the Yangtze River + disembark at Yichang

Morning:
Buffet breakfast
*Optional Ship Lift Tour (CNY 350 per person)
Disembark at Maoping Pier and visit the Three Gorges Dam site and Exhibition Center

Transfer to downtown Yichang to continue your travels

Meals included: Breakfast

Upstream Itinerary

Day 1 - Depart Yichang

Afternoon:
Board the cruise at Maoping pier, welcome drink

Evening:
*Optional embarkation dinner
Welcome safety briefing and 7 Wonders of China documentary screened in the Tang Theatre

Meals included: None

Day 2 - Cruise the Yangtze River

Morning:
Coffee, tea, Tai Chi lesson, buffet breakfast
Lecture on Chinese foot reflexology and traditional Chinese medicine delivered in the Tang Theatre
*Optional excursion to the Three Gorges Tribe (CNY 290 per person) or *Optional Ship Lift Tour (CNY 350 per person)

Lunch on board

Afternoon:
Shore excursion to the Three Gorges Dam Site and Exhibition Certre
Xiling Gorge

Evening:
Captain's welcome reception
À la carte dinner
Live band performance

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3 - Cruise the Yangtze River

Morning:
Coffee, tea, Tai Chi lesson, buffet breakfast
Shore excursion to Shennong Stream with an exclusive visit to the Tracker’s Village (Subject to water level and weather conditions)

Buffet Lunch

Wu Gorge, Qutang Gorge
Cultural lectures

*Optional tour to White Emperor City or on board activities (CNY290 per person. Excursion depends on booking numbers)

Evening:
À la carte Dinner
Briefing of 816 Underground Project delivered in the Tang Theatre
Entertainment (movie and live band performance)

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 - Cruise the Yangtze River

Morning:
Coffee, tea, Tai Chi lesson, buffet breakfast
Visit to 816 Underground Project
Or
White Crane Ridge Underwater Museum and a local market

Buffet lunch, Mahjong class, Peals of the World lecture

*Optional Three Kingdoms open air show (CNY 290 per person)

Evening:
Farewell dinner and live band performance.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - Disembark at Chongqing

Morning:
coffee, tea, buffet breakfast
Disembark in Chongqing to continue your travels

Meals included: Breakfast

Ship Facilities

  1. Cabins and suites
    Sancutary Yangzi Explorer has 38 deluxe cabins, 20 suites and 4 luxury 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 on board, providing breakfast, lunch and dinner, from an a-la-carte menu to set dinner featuring Chinese cuisine.
  • Lotus Room and Peony Room: Each room offers the facilities for a private dining or meeting experience up to a maximum of 20 people.
  • Suite Lounge: Exclusively for guests staying in suites. Offering free Wi-Fi, free use of the computer with internet, all-day free soft drinks, tea/coffee and snacks, free wines and local beer before dinner.
  • The Explorer Bar: Located at the top deck with the panoramic window,providing free coffee and tea in the morning, afternoon tea and snacks. Attend the Captain’s Welcome cocktail party here and enjoy the live band performance every night while onboard.
  1. 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, staff performances, cooking class, Chinese calligraphy class, and Mahjong 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.
  • Huang Ding Spa: A haven of relaxation and tranquility on the cruise, offering beauty treatments and body massages in six individual treatment rooms.
  • Gym: Keep active with the latest professional equiment found in the ship’s gym.
  • Shops: Souvenirs, art pieces and jewelry can be found at the Gallery, Collectors Den, and Angeperle Jewelry.
  • Photo Centre: Access onboard printing of photos or CDs and DVDs making.

Inclusions / Exclusions

Inclusions:

  • Onboard accommodation based on double/twin occupancy in a standard cabin on the second level of the 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
  • Tour guide: excellent private English-speaking guides
  • Transfers: land transfer with drivers as specified
  • Travel Agency Liability Insurance during the tour
  • Government taxes and fees.

Exclusions

  • Optional shore excursions: White Emperor City, Three Gorges Dam Ship Lift, Tribe of the Three Gorges, Three Kingdoms Open Air Show
  • 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 cabin
  • Transfer service in Chongqing and Yichang.
  • 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.
  • Downstream (Chongqing/Yichang): Transfers will be provided to the Yichang Cruise Terminal Center arriving at approximately 12:30 pm for passengers taking just the morning excursion to the Three Gorges Dam, and 1:30pm for passengers taking Three Gorges Dam tour with the optional ship lift excursion if condition permitted.
  • Upstream (Yichang/Chongqing):
  1. Option 1: Free shuttle bus service at Yichang East Train Station where original ID (passport) must be presented at the Yichang Tourism Information Center to obtain a coach ticket. Passengers board the shuttle at the bus bay marked“Luxury Cruises Shuttle Bus Center. Luggage will be stored and transferred on the same coach (transfer is 1.5 hours duration). The shuttle service is available daily from 16:00 pm to 21:30 pm. For assistance on-site in Chinese, please call, 0717-6941940. For English speaking assistance, please call the ship reception directly on 13972600837.
  2. Option 2: Free shuttle bus service at Yichang Three Gorges Tourist Center, located opposite Wanda Crown Plaza Hotel (also called No. 9 Pier). Your original ID (passport) is required to obtain a coach ticket. Board the shuttle to Maoping Pier. Luggage is stored and transferred on the same coach (transfer is 1.5 hours duration). Shuttle service is available daily from 16:00pm to 21:30 pm. For assistance on site in Chinese, please call +86-15071816140 or for English speaking assistance, please call the ship reception directly on 13972600837.
  3. For passengers organizing the transfer between Yichang and Maoping, the suggested cruise embarkation time of upstream is between 18:00- 22:30.
  4. As the sailing port is to be finalized, you are advised to call the cruise company before boarding to confirm the specific port of your cruise.
  5. The port for disembarking may be adjusted due to weather conditions and water levels on the day. Please keep your phone on so we can contact you at all times. It is recommended you to contact ChinaTours.com or the cruise company on the day of boarding to receive accurate information about the port.
  6. Optional excursions listed in the itinerary are not included in the quotation. Passengers must pay separately for these on the cruise. Based on the conditions and general terms of cruise company, passengers are not permitted to leave the ship if they are not taking the optional shore excursion.
  7. Alteration of Itinerary: If unforeseen circumstances beyond our control requires us to make relevant changes to the cruise itinerary, we reserve the right to cancel or change the sailing date. 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 to 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


Genoveva G
Genoveva G
Reviewed on June 24, 2025
Tripadvisor score Great tour with Linda in Beijing

June 2025 • Friends

This is our second tour with China tours, and it was fantastic. Linda was our guide in Beijing. She was great! She was very knowledgeable about history and culture and a very kind person. Our group was a mix of young and old, and she made our days in Beijing interesting for everyone. We highly recommend Linda and China tours!
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Tofta2010
Tofta2010
Reviewed on June 23, 2025
Tripadvisor score Very interesting and inspiring days!

June 2025 • Friends

Linda did an excellent job to explain and teaching us all about Chinese history and give us a good insight to all the places she showed us. We were a diverse group and even got our three children interred along the way. Thanks Linda!
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Gavin M
Gavin M
Reviewed on June 19, 2025
Tripadvisor score 100% fabulous experience

June 2025 • Family

The trip with China Tours was 100% fabulous. Everything about it was exactly as described. The tour guides were all wonderful, the hotels, and transfers (two bullet trains, two domestic flights) were amazing, everything went exactly as planned, and we had a great first trip to China. We did the 13 Days China Wonders & Pandas tour in June 2025. The balance was perfect between sightseeing with the guides and having free time to explore this amazing country at each destination. The high quality of the five guides along the way really made the trip. They were wonderful people without exception: professional, courteous, very knowledgeable, and friendly. The team at China Tours did truly great work in arranging everything, down to the last detail. Thank you very much for making this trip a really great experience!
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Susan B
Susan B
Reviewed on June 19, 2025
Tripadvisor score The only way to visit China!

June 2025 • Couples

This is a fantastic tour. The tour guides are amazing- so knowledgeable and extremely helpful. The experience of visiting the historic sites has been made far richer than it would’ve been on our own. We have left China with a greater understanding of Chinese history, culture and its people.
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Galia P
Galia P
Reviewed on June 19, 2025
Tripadvisor score Absolutely fantastic guide

June 2025 • Family

Nancy was absolutely amazing. Knowledgeable, professional, kind and always on time. We had amazing 3 days with her. Recommend!!
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Michael W
Michael W
Reviewed on June 6, 2025
Tripadvisor score A Magical Experience

May 2025 • Couples

From the moment we were met at Beijing airport , until our last day in Shanghai , the service and attention to detail by the guides and drivers, was second to none! We opted for the ten day tour, to take advantage of the Chinese government 240 hour visa free TRANSIT permit , which was easily granted on arrival! ( arrival STARTS at midnight after you arrive! ) The vehicles and hotels were of the absolute best quality , and the whole trip was a joy! As every attraction has to be booked in advance , I certainly would not contemplate trying to organise such a trip independently ; and don`t even attempt to DRIVE in China!! At each stop , the knowledgeable guides would organise everything , and then ten minutes before departure ,would telephone the drivers , who would be waiting for us. Every attraction was well ordered and a real pleasure to visit. The standards of comfort EVERYWHERE were excellent! Thoroughly recommend!
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alizasopharr
alizasopharr
Reviewed on May 27, 2025
Tripadvisor score Amazing trip, extraordinary people !

May 2025 • Friends

Linda (Sun) was an incredibly sweet and attentive guide, she helped make an already amazing trip extraordinary by going above and beyond to help us be as comfortable as possible. I would recommend her and China Tours to anyone hoping to visit, truly an unforgettable experience!
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Adventurer508882
Adventurer508882
Reviewed on May 26, 2025
Tripadvisor score Xi’an more than only the Terracotta Army

May 2025 • Couples

It was a dream come true. Excellent guide, Felix and very good driver with a spacious and clean car. A wonderful experience and a lovely hotel.
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