Yichang Maoping Port - Transportation, Embarkation, Disembarkation Guide 2025

Maoping Port, located in Zigui County, Yichang City, is a key port for Yangtze River cruise travelers. In 2025, it will serve as the main embarkation point for upstream cruises and the disembarkation point for downstream cruises. This guide will provide you with all the essential information about Maoping Port, including its location, transportation options for upstream and downstream Three Gorges luxury cruises and important notes to help you better plan your Yangtze River cruise trip.

Where is Maoping Port?

Check the Maoping Port Location Map for Your Yangtze River Cruise

Maoping Port is situated about 55-60 km away from Yichang downtown, requiring approximately 70-90 minutes by car/bus. It is easily accessible from major transportation hubs in Yichang (Yichang Three Gorges Center Cruise Terminal and Yichang East Railway Station).

How to Get to/from Maoping Port?

By Tourist Buses Arranged by Cruise Companies

Upstream: For travelers booking an upstream Yangtze River cruise from Yichang to Chongqing, the cruise companies will arrange buses to transport you from Yichang Three Gorges Center Cruise Terminal or Yichang East Railway Station to Maoping Port from 17:30 to 20:00 (only for reference). The bus journey typically takes 1 to 1.5 hours.
(Flight / Train Booking Tips: If you are arriving in Yichang on the embarkation day, it is recommended to book a flight arriving before 17:00 or a train arriving before 18:00.)

Downstream: On the final day of the Three Gorges cruise, most ships (around 90%) dock at Maoping Port. Passengers then board buses arranged by the cruise companies to visit the Three Gorges Dam. Following the tour of the dam, they are taken to the Yichang Three Gorges Center Cruise Terminal, where the tour ends (12:30-13:30).
(Flight / train booking tips: if you would leave Yichang on the disembarkation day, we advise you book a flight departing after 16:00 or a train departing after 15:30.)

Tourist Bus to Maoping Port

By Private Transfer

If you miss the tourist bus arranged by cruise companies or prefer a more convenient option, you can book a private transfer service. This will ensure a hassle-free journey to Maoping Port, especially if you have a lot of luggage or need to travel during off-peak hours.

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By Public Transportation

While not as convenient as the arranged tourist buses, you can also choose to take local taxis to Maoping Port. For your reference, a taxi ride from downtown Yichang to Maoping Port takes about 50-60 minutes, with a fare around CNY 100-150.

Yangtze Cruise Embarkation/Disembarkation at Maoping Port

Yichang Embarkation Process for Yangtze River Cruise

Passengers typically board the cruise ships at Maoping Port in the evening. It is recommended to arrive in Yichang before 17:00 to ensure you have enough time to catch the tourist bus to the port.

From Yichang East Railway Station

• Address: Yichang Tourist Information Centre | Luxury cruise transfer, Chengdong Avenue, No. 104, B1 Floor, Parking Building, Yichang East Station (宜昌东站停车楼B1层B1-104号).

1. Ticket Collection: Locate the “Yichang Tourism Information Center” on the right side of the train station’s exit. Collect your ticket by presenting valid identification (passport, itinerary, etc.).

2. Shuttle Bus Boarding: Head to the second floor on the right side of the exit. Board the luxury cruise shuttle bus to Maoping Port in Zigui County. Shuttle Bus Boarding: Head to the second floor on the right side of the exit. Board the luxury cruise shuttle bus to Maoping Port in Zigui County.
Note: Buses run from 17:30 to 20:00 on a rolling basis (times are approximate). During the off-season (December to March), this service may not be available. Passengers may need to transfer at the Three Gorges Tourist Center.

Shuttle Bus Ticket Exchanging at Railway Station

From Yichang Three Gorges Center Cruise Terminal

Photo Guide of Shuttle Bus Ticket Exchanging at Yichang Three Gorges Center Cruise Terminal

1. Ticket Collection: Go to windows 7 or 8 in the ticket hall of the Yichang Three Gorges Center Cruise Terminal. Print your bus ticket using your valid identification.

2. Transfer Bus Boarding: Follow the signs to the bus stop. Board the transfer bus with your luggage to travel to Maoping Port in Zigui County.
Note: Buses operate from 17:30 to 20:00 on a rolling basis (times are approximate). Please follow the instructions provided by your travel advisor after booking your cruise.

Important Embarkation Tips:

1. About Luggage: visitors could take the tourist bus with your luggage. Also, you can choose the luggage service, the cruise staff would transfer it from the gathering place to the front desk onboard your ship. Such service needs reasonable extra payment of about 15RMB/piece.
2. Please make sure to take the bus to Maoping Port on time, and if you miss it, contact us at once!

Yichang Disembarkation Process for Yangtze River Cruise

(Flight / train booking tips: If you would leave Yichang on the disembarkation day, we advise you book a flight departing after 16:00 or a train departing after 15:30.)

On the disembarkation day of a downstream cruise from Chongqing to Yichang, you will leave your ship with your luggage in the early morning at Maoping Port. Then, you'll begin your Three Gorges Dam tour or Ship Lift experience before transferring to Yichang Three Gorges Center Cruise Terminal for departure.

Important Notes:

• Luggage Handling: Passengers can take their luggage with them on the tourist bus. Alternatively, cruise companies offer a luggage consignment service for an additional fee of approximately CNY 15 per piece (free for some cruises).
• Security Restrictions: Due to security policies, large luggage (exceeding 20cm*40cm*50cm or 5kg) is not allowed in the Three Gorges Dam scenic area. You can consign your luggage to Yichang Three Gorges Center Cruise Terminal and retrieve it after your visit.
• Port Changes: In case of special events or weather conditions, the embarkation or disembarkation port may change. Please check with your cruise company for the latest information.

Transfer from Yichang Three Gorges Center Cruise Terminal to Airport / Train Station

After you dismiss at Yichang Three Gorges Center Cruise Terminal, you can transfer to Yichang East Railway Station to catch your train or to Yichang Sanxia Airport to board on your flight easily. You can go by local taxi for a smooth and convenient transfer. Besides, you can also take local buses, which would take much more time and effort to find the way. Let’s see how long time it needs to the airport and train station at below.

(Note: The above transportation time is only for reference, which may be changed according practical situation.)

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Questions & Discussions

Following are latest questions and answers from our webusers and customers. You can learn many useful information from the discussion and cases. You can also join in the discussions or ask your own question. Our experts will help you ASAP.

Jason Goh

Can we bring our own duty free whiskey onboard the cruise ship ?

Can we bring our own duty free whisky purchase from airport onboard cruise ship ?

2018-10-10 02:45

Hello Jason,

Thank you for the message. Drinks (like whisky, water, etc.) and food are allowed to bring to the cruise, and you can enjoy it during your moment on the ship. However, it is not allowed to bring your own drinks and food to the dining halls or bars on your ship.

Wish you a wonderful vacation on the Yangtze River cruise!

Carrie at yangtze-river-cruises.com 2018-10-11 18:51

Samantha Titterington

Yichang port and Gold 6

Good morning. Can you please advise what shops are st the Yichang port if we want to purchase drinks before the cruise?
Also is WIFI available on Gold 6 and can Facebook be used in China?
Thank you
Samantha

2018-05-05 17:18

Hi Samantha,

Thank you for the good question. As Yangtze Gold 6 cruise ship arranges Maoping Port for the embarkation and disembarkation in Yichang City, and the location of the port is not at the downtown area, there may be a few small shops for you to buy some drinks. Besides, if you like, you could buy in some larger supermarkets in the downtown of Yichang. if you arrive in Yichang by train, you could buy at Yichang East Railway Station, where provide a lot of drink options.

However, as there are many kinds of drinks including soft drinks, wines, liquor, juicy, etc., you could also enjoy your drinking time in the bar onboard.

For Wi-Fi, the cruise ship offers such kind of service, and usually charge 200RMB for one whole cruise and 100RMB/day. You could tell the staff at the reception desk, and they would help you link with the Internet with sincerity. However, as the Internet in China is not accessible to other countries, you could use Facebook only if you have a VPN in your device.

Have a nice day and enjoy your Yangtze River cruise!

Carrie at yangtze-river-cruises.com 2018-05-07 00:06