Chongqing to Three Gorges Cruise Guide for Foreigners: Local’s Top 4 Routes
- DolphinUnion
- Sep 15
- 8 min read
Everyone’s talking about Chongqing’s 8D magic—trains through buildings, stairs that go to the 10th floor… but as a local who’s lived here 30 years (and helped over 200 foreign friends plan trips in 8 years), I can tell you: the real adventure starts when you leave the city. Most visitors miss out on the Three Gorges—one of China’s most stunning natural wonders—because they don’t know which cruise route fits their time or budget （Chongqing to Three Gorges cruise guide for foreigners）.
I’ve seen friends book the wrong cruise and end up disappointed: some picked a 1-day tour and missed the best views, others paid for a luxury ship but didn’t need the extra frills. That’s why I made this guide: to break down the 4 main cruise routes from Chongqing, so you can pick the one that’s perfect for you. No more guesswork—this is how I plan Three Gorges trips for my foreign friends.
1. Chongqing-Yichang Route (Yuyi Line) – Chongqing to Three Gorges cruise guide for foreigners
This is the most popular route—short, sweet, and packed with the Three Gorges’ best views. I recommend this to 90% of my foreign friends who have limited time.
1.1 Route Features
Distance: 167–648 km, focusing on the Three Gorges’ core section (Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge, Xiling Gorge).
Key Attractions: Fengdu Ghost City, Zhongxian Shibaozhai, Fengjie Baidi City, Wushan Small Three Gorges, Three Gorges Dam.
Why I Love It: You get all the “iconic Three Gorges” moments without spending a week on a ship. The gorges’ steep cliffs and clear water are breathtaking—my friend from Canada said it “beat the Grand Canyon!”
1.2 Cruise Options
Luxury Cruises
Boarding/Disembarking: Chaotianmen Port (downtown Chongqing—super convenient, no extra travel!).
Duration: 4–5 days.
Facilities: Spacious rooms, restaurants, gyms, and even small pools. Staff speak English, and service is top-notch.
Included: At least 3 shore excursions (no extra fees!) and all meals (the seafood is fresh—try the Yangtze River fish!).
Price: ~¥1,500/person (starts at this price for standard rooms; suites cost more).
Brands to Choose: Yangtze Explorer, Yangtze Miracle, Changhang Series, Century Series (these are the best— I’ve been on Century Series twice, and the beds are so comfortable!).
Avoid This: Don’t book “budget luxury” ships—some cut corners (like small rooms or bad food). Stick to the brands I listed.
Standard Cruises
Boarding/Disembarking: Ports in Fengdu, Wanzhou, or Fengjie (counties outside downtown—you’ll need to take a bus/taxi there, ~1.5–2 hours from Chongqing).
Duration: 2–3 days.
Facilities: Basic but clean—no gyms or pools, but rooms have private bathrooms and AC.
Included: 2–3 shore excursions (same attractions as luxury cruises!) but meals are simple (rice, veggies, chicken).
Price: ~¥800/person (way cheaper than luxury, but still worth it).
Pro Tip: Book a room on the ship’s left side (facing forward)—you’ll get better views of the gorges. I learned this the hard way on my first standard cruise!
Sightseeing Boats (1-Day Trips)
Boarding/Disembarking: Ports in Fengjie or Wushan (2–3 hours from downtown).
Duration: 1 day (only the gorges, no overnight stay).
Focus: Short but intense—you’ll sail through the core gorges and stop for 1 quick shore visit (usually Wushan Small Three Gorges).
Price: ~¥299/person (cheapest way to see the Three Gorges!).
Personal Touch: I took my friend from Brazil on this last year—she only had 1 free day, and she still said it was “the best day of her China trip.” We brought snacks (chocolate, fruit) because the boat’s food is basic.
1.3 Best For & Experience
First-Time Three Gorges Visitors: It’s the perfect “intro” to the gorges—you’ll see all the highlights without feeling overwhelmed.
Busy Workers/Students: 1–5 days fit tight schedules (I recommend 4 days if you can—you’ll have time to relax).
Budget-Conscious Travelers: Standard cruises and sightseeing boats give great value—you won’t waste money on things you don’t need.
Avoid This: Don’t take a 1-day boat if you hate rushing—you’ll spend 4–6 hours on buses/boats just to see the gorges for 2 hours.
2. Chongqing-Wuhan Route (Yuchu Line) – Chongqing to Three Gorges cruise guide for foreigners
This route adds culture to the natural beauty—great if you love history and food. I recommend this to friends who want more than just gorges.
2.1 Route Features
Distance: ~1,200 km, 4–6 days (extends the Yuyi Line east to Wuhan).
Extra Attractions: Jingzhou Ancient City, Yueyang Tower (famous for its Chinese poetry!).
Why I Love It: You get the Three Gorges and a taste of Hubei province’s culture. The food alone is worth it—Wuhan’s hot dry noodles are a must-try!
2.2 Cruise Options
President No.6 (Luxury Cruise)
Duration: 6 days/5 nights (Chongqing to Wuhan) or reverse.
Price: ~¥4,199/person (all-inclusive—meals, excursions, tips).
Facilities: 5-star rooms, multiple restaurants, a spa, and a sun deck with gorges views. Staff speak fluent English.
Pro Tip: Book a shore excursion to Jingzhou Ancient City—you can wear traditional Chinese clothes (¥30 rental) and take photos. My friend from Italy did this and posted the photos all over Instagram!
Yangtze Futai (Standard Cruise)
Duration: 4 days/3 nights (Chongqing to Wuhan) or 5 days/4 nights (Wuhan to Chongqing).
Included: 2–3 days of land tours (you’ll get off the ship to explore cities like Jingzhou).
Price: ~¥1,899/person (meals included, but some small excursions cost extra—~¥50 each).
Avoid This: Don’t skip the land tours—they’re the best part! Some travelers stay on the ship, but you’ll miss Jingzhou’s ancient walls.
Victoria No.3 (Standard Cruise)
Route: Wuhan to Chongqing (5 days/4 nights—great if you want to end in Chongqing).
Included: 2 days of land tours (focus on Wuhan and Yueyang).
Price: ~¥1,699/person.
Personal Touch: I took this cruise last year with my mom—we loved the Yueyang Tower tour. The guide told us stories about the poet who wrote about the tower, and it made the view even more special.
2.3 Best For & Experience
History Lovers: You’ll walk through ancient cities and learn about China’s past—way more than just pretty views.
Foodies: Try Chongqing hot pot, Wuhan hot dry noodles, Jingzhou fish cake, Yueyang crawfish—my friend from Thailand said it was a “food dream come true.”
Older Travelers: The pace is slow—you’ll have time to explore without rushing. Most ships have elevators, so it’s easy for people with mobility issues.
3. Chongqing-Nanjing Route (Yuning Line) – Chongqing to Three Gorges cruise guide for foreigners
This is the “deep dive” route—long, luxurious, and perfect for travelers who want to see everything. I recommend this to friends with lots of time (like retirees or honeymooners).
3.1 Route Features
Distance: ~2,000 km, 10–11 days (includes Yuyi and Yuchu Lines, plus east to Nanjing).
Extra Attractions: Jiujiang Lushan Mountain, Anqing Tianzhu Mountain, Nanjing Qinhuai River (famous for its night views!).
Why I Love It: You see the full range of the Yangtze—from the gorges’ cliffs to Nanjing’s soft 江南 (Jiangnan) scenery. It’s like a mini “China tour” on a ship.
3.2 Cruise Option: Yangtze No.2 (Luxury Cruise)
Duration: 10 days/9 nights (Chongqing to Nanjing) or 11 days/10 nights (Nanjing to Chongqing).
Price: ~¥13,800/person (all-inclusive—meals, excursions, drinks, even laundry service!).
Facilities: Suites with balconies (perfect for sunrise views!), 3 restaurants, a theater, and a pool. Staff cater to your every need—my friend from the US said it “felt like a 5-star hotel on water.”
Included: All shore excursions (10+!)—you’ll visit Lushan Mountain, walk along Qinhuai River, and even try tea in Yangzhou.
Hidden Trick: Ask for a “honeymoon package” if you’re traveling with a partner—they’ll decorate your room with flowers and give you a free bottle of champagne. I did this for my cousin’s honeymoon, and they loved it!
3.3 Best For & Experience
Retirees: You have the time to enjoy every stop—no rushing, just relaxation. The ship’s quiet vibe is perfect for unwinding.
Honeymooners: It’s romantic—watch sunsets over the gorges, have dinner on the balcony, and explore Nanjing’s romantic Qinhuai River together.
International Travelers: You’ll get a full picture of the Yangtze’s culture and nature—my friend from Germany said it “helped him understand China better than any city tour.”
Avoid This: Don’t book this if you hate long trips—10 days on a ship is great for some, but too much for others. Stick to shorter routes if you get bored easily.
4. Chongqing-Shanghai Route (Yuhu Line) – Chongqing to Three Gorges cruise guide for foreigners
This is the “ultimate” Yangtze route—for travelers who want the best of everything. I only recommend this to friends with big budgets and lots of time.
4.1 Route Features
Distance: ~2,400 km, 11–12 days (the longest Three Gorges cruise from Chongqing).
Extra Attractions: Yangzhou Slender West Lake, Nanjing Niushou Mountain, Jiuhua Mountain, Jingdezhen (porcelain capital!), Lushan Mountain, Wuhan Yellow Crane Tower.
Why I Love It: You see all of the Yangtze—from Chongqing’s mountains to Shanghai’s skyscrapers. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime trip.
4.2 Cruise Option: Century Legend (Luxury Cruise)
Duration: 11 days/10 nights (Chongqing to Shanghai) or 12 days/11 nights (Shanghai to Chongqing).
Price: ~¥16,800/person (all-inclusive—everything from gourmet meals to private tours).
Facilities: The best of the best—spacious suites with ocean views, a spa, a casino (small, for fun), and a library. The restaurant serves international food too—great if you get tired of Chinese dishes.
Included: 15+ shore excursions—you’ll make porcelain in Jingdezhen, hike Jiuhua Mountain, and even take a night cruise on Shanghai’s Bund.
Personal Touch: I haven’t been on this yet, but my friend from Australia went last year. She said the Jingdezhen porcelain class was her favorite part—she made a small bowl and brought it home as a souvenir.
4.3 Best For & Experience
Luxury Travelers/Socialites: The ship is full of like-minded people, and the service is unmatched. It’s a great way to travel in style.
Collectors: Jingdezhen’s porcelain, Yangzhou’s tea, Shanghai’s souvenirs—you’ll have plenty of unique items to take home.
Travelers with Time & Budget: This isn’t a “cheap” trip, but it’s worth every penny. You’ll never have to rush, and you’ll see parts of China most tourists miss.
Pro Tip: Book 3 months in advance—this cruise sells out fast, especially during peak seasons (spring and autumn).
Final Recommendation: My Go-To Guide for Three Gorges Cruises
I spent 2 months helping put together DolphinUnion’s Chongqing guide—even I use it when my foreign friends visit, because it has all the little details I can’t fit in this blog. The guide has hidden photo spots (like the quiet viewing deck on Century Series cruises I told you about earlier) and a step-by-step cruise booking tutorial (with photos, so you won’t get confused by Chinese booking websites—trust me, I’ve seen friends stuck for hours trying to book online).
Last week, a reader from Canada messaged me saying our guide’s Yuyi Line tip saved him. He was going to book a 1-day sightseeing boat, but the guide told him to pick a 4-day luxury cruise instead. He said the extra days let him see Baidi City and the Three Gorges Dam, and he “would have regretted missing them.”
If you don’t want to scribble down notes from this blog, or worry about missing those hidden spots, grab our DolphinUnion guide—it’s like having a local friend with you the whole time, sharing all the cruise hacks and tricks that make the Three Gorges trip unforgettable. You’ll save time, skip the stress, and actually enjoy every moment on the water.
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