Discover the Yangtze River in luxury & comfort at unbeatable local prices!
The Yangtze River has been on the travel bucket list of numerous travelers across the world, especially taking a relaxing Yangtze cruise to appreciate its golden attraction, the Three Gorges. However, it is complex to choose an ideal ship and plan a Yangtze cruise vacation since there are many cruise routes, ships, and companies with different services.
BUT! No need to worry! Based in Chongqing and Chengdu and with the proud “Traveler’s Choice” award by TripAdvisor year-on-year, we are the leading local travel agency for booking the Yangtze River cruise and China tours. For the past decades, we have successfully helped travelers from multiple countries/regions achieve their journeys to amazing China with continuous positive reviews. Thus, we are your reliable local expert friend to give the best recommendation and advice for such cruise! Additionally, we keep on following up the actual condition of most Yangtze ships by regular site visit (latest visit in November 2024), thus our experienced travel consultant team and a wealth of updated & clear information will help you quickly select the best ship, catch useful details for the cruise, and plan your vacation in China! Please feel free to contact us for any help or a customized tour! Let’s set sail and embrace the beautiful world!
8 Best Yangtze River Cruise Ships 2025/2026
There are nearly 30 cruise ships under several cruise companies offering Yangtze River sailing trips for global travelers, with various levels of facilities, services, etc. To help you quickly find a satisfying cruise ship for the Yangtze vacation in 2025/2026, here we list the 8 best Yangtze River cruise ships that are the top-advanced vessels with rich experience and most popular among international cruise guests! Select your ship below and book early to save more!
Sail with Best Cruise Companies on the Yangtze
Specialized in booking Yangtze River cruises for many years, we know the area very well. Also, we know exactly the characteristics of each Yangtze cruise company and each fleet due to our years of friendly long-term cooperation. Here, we list the top 6 cruise companies with decades of experience receiving international cruise visitors, and you can click to know their distinct ship info, prices, schedules, itineraries, deals, and more. Select your favorite one to start your relaxing Yangtze holiday now!
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Century Cruises
Asia's Best River Cruise Line (2021-2024) with outstanding fleet and service
from only $436-$848
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Victoria Cruises
New York based luxury cruise line with international service
from only $435-$633
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Yangzi Explorer
2025 Launched unparalleled luxury "Celebrity Choice" with one-on-one service
from only $1,432-$1,737
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Changjiang Cruises
Professional experienced team offering All-inclusive cruises packages & unique itineraries
from only $623-$732
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Yangtze Gold Cruises
Large & valuable cruises popular among domestic travelers
from only $392-$496
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President Cruises
Domestic famous cruise brand with 2 spacious & cost-saving ships
from only $400-$459
Yangtze River Cruise Guide
What actually is a Yangtze River cruise trip? What to do and expect there? How to plan and prepare for it? In order to help you figure out all the answers, here we collect the cruise experience onboard, shore excursion sites, Yangtze cruise routes, the latest news, and useful guide info about travel season, ports, transportation, and so forth. Check to have a basic understanding of the Yangtze cruise trip and start your cruise plan with no effort!
Cruises Routes
There are several different Yangtze River cruise sailing routes. Nearly every ship sails on a stable route with a relative fixed schedule for an entire year, so it gives more flexible chances to select your route for a leisure cruise exploration of the Yangtze! So far, the most classic sailings are between Chongqing and Yichang, for both upstream and downstream, which are offered by most Yangtze cruise ships. Besides, special longer routes between Shanghai and Chongqing, etc. are also available, however with unfixed dates, for in-depth discoveries to more attractive destinations along the legendary mother river.
- Chongqing Yichang Cruises - 4 Days & 3 Nights
- This downstream route is the golden cruise line to discover the significant Three Gorges of the Yangtze, chosen by more than half travelers!
- Chongqing - Fengdu - Fengjie - Three Gorges - Badong - Maoping - Yichang
- Yichang Chongqing Cruises - 5 Days & 4 Nights
- It is another popular and classic upstream route to appreciate the Yangtze’s golden section at a more leisure pace!
- Yichang - Maoping - Badong - Three Gorges - Fengjie - Fengdu - Chongqing
- Shanghai Chongqing Cruises - 11 ~ 12 Days
- The appealing in-depth Yangtze River panorama cruise includes exploration of the fabulous nature, culture, and history of its lower and middle reaches (Dates are unfixed every year).
- Shanghai - Yangzhou - Nanjing - Chizhou - Jiujiang - Wuhan - Yueyang - Jingzhou - Yichang - Three Gorges - Chongqing
Shore Excursions
It is a must-see Yangtze highlight and one of the ten finest scenic sites in China. So, nobody been to the river will omit Three Gorges sightseeing. Getting its name because of its three beautiful gorges, including Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge and Xiling Gorge, Three Gorges is the ideal classic spot to marvel at the world’s top gorge view and China’s poetic charm.
The largest hydroelectric plant in the world, taking over a century to complete. With quite significant contribution to flood control and power generation transmitted to many provinces, this project is another major reason for so many tourists to cruise the Yangtze River. Every Yangtze River cruise arranges a shore excursion to look at the marvelous dam project on site.
Also called Three Gorges Dam Ship Elevator, it is not only the largest but also the most sophisticated ship lift in the whole world. You will take a sightseeing boat to take this incredible ship lift up or down, with an elevation of 370 feet (about 113 m), to pass the Three Gorges Dam within only around 40 minutes, particularly efficient compared to the past 3 hours.
It is a mysterious and idyllic land with abundant Ba and Chu cultures. Here, ancient stilt houses and bridges are under good preservation, and native Tujia ethnic groups on water, by brooks and on mountain tops still continue their own simple folk lifestyle. Tranquil scenery of bamboo forests, lakes, hills, etc. of a rural tribe there attracts plenty of global visitors!
Latest News & Travel Guide
- Travel Guide
- Best Time for Yangtze River Cruise
- Yangtze Weather & What to Wear
- Yangtze River Maps
- Upstream or Downstream?
- Chongqing Transportation Guide
- Chongqing Chaotianmen Dock
- Yichang Transportation Guide
- Zhangjiajie to Yichang
- Shanghai to Yichang
- Guilin to Yichang
- Yichang Port
- How to Get to Maoping Port
China Tour Packages with Yangtze River Cruises 2025/2026
- 6 Best Tour Packages
- Almost all travelers, especially first-timers to China, prefer to combine a Yangtze cruise with more beautiful destinations in their China vacation instead of enjoying the Yangtze cruise alone! Here are the 6 best China Yangtze River cruise packages most chosen by our dear guests from around the world, which are helpful to enrich the China travel experience to the utmost, with classic discoveries to Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Guilin, Zhangjiajie, etc.!
6 Days Chongqing, Yangtze River & Zhangjiajie Exciting Tour
(Chongqing / Yangtze Cruise / Yichang / Zhangjiajie)
from request Details
4 Days Chongqing Essence Tour with Yangtze Cruise
(Chongqing / Yangtze Cruise / Yichang)
from request Details
13 Days Classic China Tour with Yangtze Cruise
(Beijing / Xian / Guilin / Yangshuo / Chongqing / Yangtze Cruise / Yichang / Shanghai)
from $2,253 Details
15 Days China Yangtze Tour with Zhangjiajie & Guilin Landscape
(Shanghai / Guilin / Chongqing / Yangtze Cruise / Yichang / Zhangjiajie / Xian / Beijing)
from request Details
11 Days China Golden Triangle Tour with Yangtze River Cruise
(Beijing / Xian / Chongqing / Yangtze Cruise / Yichang / Shanghai)
from $1,979 Details
- Tour from Gateways
- Which city will you start your China Yangtze tour? Plenty of visitors also plan their trip based on the gateway cities in China, namely Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong so far with numerous international flights linking the entire globe. Besides, those three gateways also serve frequent flights and high speed trains to / from most middle-class and big cities domestically for easy transfers. That upgrades your trip convenience easily no matter how many destinations your China trip covers!
Beijing
Capital of China. It is where to admire the magnificent and luxuriant styles of past imperial families and look at the miraculous Great Wall.
Shanghai
The “magic Shanghai” is a stunning gateway to feel the metropolitan vibes and China’s traditional poetic beauty in nearby Hangzhou, Suzhou, Huangshan...
Hong Kong
Its skyline and night view, international culture blending with local tradition, and countless food choices make Hong Kong a paradise for visitors.
- Cruise with Hot Cities
- Have visited China before and want to discover more of this vast country? It is wise and popular to plan your Yangtze cruise with other hot cities. For international travelers, they show great interest in Chengdu (1-2 days), Zhangjiajie (2-4 days), Xian (1-2 days), Guilin (2-4 days), Wuhan (1-2 days), Nanjing (1-2 days), etc. These explortions will greatly deepen your understanding of diverse nature, culture and history of amazing China!
This “Little Hong Kong” with its spectacular skyline is super popular for a city lost. It is home to spicy food, UNESCO World Heritage Sites - Dazu Rock Carvings and Wulong Karst Landscape, and parts of the Three Gorges.
- Most popular itinerary:
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6 Days Chongqing, Yangtze River & Zhangjiajie Exciting Tour
(Chongqing / Yangtze Cruise / Yichang / Zhangjiajie)
Famous as the “Hometown of Giant Pandas” & “Land of Abundance”. People flock to Chengdu for its symbolic “laid-back” life pace and to seek ancient Shu Kingdom mysteries and rich UNESCO heritages nearby. 1.5 hours’ bullet train ride from Chongqing.
- Most popular itinerary:
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6 Days Yangtze River Cruise Tour from Chengdu
(Chengdu / Chongqing / Yangtze Cruise / Yichang)
Zhangjiajie (Hunan Province) has the most fascinating national parks in China. You can explore the Avatar Mountains in the UNESCO-protected Zhangjiajie National Forest Park or walk on Zhangjiajie Glass Bridges over the Grand Canyon.
- Most popular itinerary:
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8 Days Leisure Tour to Zhangjiajie & Yangtze River
(Zhangjiajie / Yichang / Yangtze Cruise / Chongqing)
It is home to the Terracotta Warriors and the starting point of the Silk Road. Here you can dig out over 5,000 years of brilliant history to learn more about this ancient capital of 13 dynasties. Also, the Ancient City Wall, Shaanxi History Museum, etc. are must-visits!
- Most popular itinerary:
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10 Days Xian Zhangjiajie Yangtze Cruise
(Xian / Zhangjiajie / Yichang / Yangtze Cruise / Chongqing)
The small Yichang (Hubei) is known as “the Gateway to the Three Gorges” and “Hydropower capital of the world”. With a history spanning over 2,700 years and being the hometown of Quyuan, Yichang has many highlights and is excellent to learn Chu Kingdom history!
- Most popular itinerary:
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5 Days Yichang Tour with Yangtze Cruise Experience
(Yichang / Yangtze Cruise / Chongqing)
"East or West, Guilin Landscape is the Best”! Guilin is China’s most gorgeous place. Cruising the Li River down and roaming around Yangshuo is best to discover its karst landscape. Also, Longji Rice Terraces is incredible to marvel at locals’ agricultural artistic talent.
- Most popular itinerary:
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6 Days Yangtze River Cruise from Idyllic Guilin
(Guilin / Chongqing / Yangtze Cruise / Yichang)
The capital of Hubei Province has long been historically significant since 3,500 years ago. Thus, it has enough cultural relics to explore China’s brilliant culture. As an enormous port on the Yangtze, it is the core city of the river’s development and has rich stunning sightseeing.
- Most popular itinerary:
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6 Days Wuhan City Tour with Yangtze Cruise
(Wuhan / Yichang / Yangtze Cruise / Chongqing)
It was the ancient capital thousands of years ago throughout several dynasties and kingdoms. In Nanjing, the ancient sites and historical landmarks tell its history and culture. You won't miss the top tourist attractions like Dr. Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Qinhuai River, etc.
- Most popular itinerary:
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7 Days Nanjing & Yangtze River Tour
(Nanjing / Yichang / Yangtze Cruise / Chongqing)
Our Customers’ Yangtze Cruise Trips
During the past years, we have helped a great many cruise guests from across the world achieve their sailing dreams to the Yangtze River. And so far, we have received 1060+ pieces of feedback and 600+ TripAdvisor reviews from our real guests, and they have also shared hundreds of nice trip photos and inspiring travel stories with us. You can have a clearer understanding of the real experience of the cruise and tour in China as well as our provided service by checking them below, as we will keep upgrading.
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Tran
(USA) -
Reviewed on December 5, 2024
Dear April,
Thanks for arranging such a unique experience for our Huangshan trip...
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Shenyah
(USA) -
Reviewed on December 5, 2024
Hi Wonder,
We enjoyed the trip very much. Thanks.
- Our Customers’ China Yangtze River Cruise Stories
- get inspired and understand the real experience of a Yangtze River Cruise trip, our service and more about their trips to China!
- Read story now
