4-day Chongqing Yangtze River cruise: Meals & shore excursions

Four days through China's Three Gorges with every meal and excursion arranged

A 4-day Yangtze River cruise from Chongqing aboard the Yangtze Wonder, a luxury ship with all-balcony cabins, covering meals, shore excursions and entrance fees in one price. The itinerary passes through the Qutang, Wu and Xiling Gorges, includes a visit to the Three Gorges Dam, and offers a choice of two shore excursions: an underground Cold War military site or an underwater museum with historic Wanzhou streets. English-speaking guides and butler service throughout. The ship departs Chongqing on day one and ends in Yichang on day four.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Embark at Chongqing Dock

• Board Yangtze River cruise ship
• Use luggage service
• Present valid ID documents
• Dinner onboard

Day 2: Choose One Shore Excursion

• Breakfast onboard
• Shore excursion: visit underground military site or explore underwater museum and WanZhou streets
• Lunch onboard
• Dinner onboard

Day 3: Explore Lesser Three Gorges

• Breakfast onboard
• Travel through narrow gorges by smaller boats
• Lunch onboard
• Dinner onboard

Day 4: Visit Three Gorges Dam and Disembark

• Breakfast onboard
• Visit Three Gorges Dam Scenic Area
• Disembark from cruise ship

The experience

The Yangtze Wonder was fully rebuilt in 2024 with ocean cruise-class hardware and a traditional Chinese design. Every cabin has a balcony. The ship carries four sightseeing elevators and an outdoor pool. Meals, all entrance tickets for the scenic spots on the itinerary, shuttle buses and cable cars are included in the price, along with travel accident insurance and a cruise service charge. A 1:1.93 crew-to-passenger ratio means butler service is personal: the ship is built for the traveler who wants nothing left to arrange.

Day one boards at Chongqing's Chaotianmen Dock at 4 p.m. with luggage service provided. Day two offers a choice: descend into the 816 Underground Nuclear Project, a massive Cold War military engineering site hidden inside a mountain, or visit the world's first underwater museum to see ancient hydrological inscriptions, then walk through historic Wanzhou streets and take part in a complimentary seal-carving cultural experience. Day three travels through the Lesser Three Gorges by smaller boat, moving through narrow passages with steep cliffs and unspoiled scenery. Day four visits the Three Gorges Dam Scenic Area, including Tanziling and the 185 Viewing Platform, to learn about the world's largest hydropower project, then disembarks in Yichang.

Executive Suite bookings include airport, railway station or hotel transfers within Chongqing's Yuzhong District. The ship operates with English and Chinese-speaking guides throughout. Weather can affect the cruise schedule and exact arrival times, so allow buffer time when booking onward transportation. Single travelers, groups of three, and groups of five each receive a private room with no single supplement charged.

What’s included

• All meals onboard.
• entrance tickets for the Three Gorges Dam, Lesser Three Gorges and your chosen shore excursion.
• shuttle buses and cable cars at scenic spots.
• travel accident insurance.
• butler service throughout.
• unlimited fresh fruit consumption.
• and a private cabin with balcony for the duration of the cruise.

Options for this experience

2 options

River View Deluxe RoomGuide in English or Chinese · 16:00Deluxe River Room: Book a 30㎡ room with river views, featuring a 3.25㎡ private balcony, 180-degree scenery and an en suite bathroom. Other benefits: designed for two guests sharing, and covers meals, onboard services and scheduled shore excursions.

Suite with River View, Executive ClassGuide in English or Chinese · 16:00Executive Suite: A 42㎡ suite with a 3.43㎡ private balcony and 180-degree views. VIP perks: dining in the 6th-floor restaurant, transfers, a visit to the captain's bridge, and laundry service for up to 4 garments.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesWednesdayDeparts at 16:00

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (2 to 17 years) · Infant (under 2)

GroupUp to 296 · max 6 per booking

Live guideEnglish and Chinese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by SilkRoute Adventures

Is this one for you?Choose the Executive Suite if you want airport or hotel transfer included from Chongqing. The Deluxe River View Room suits travelers arranging their own arrival transport. Both options include all meals, excursions and entrance fees, so the choice comes down to whether you need the transfer service and prefer the higher cabin category.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Chinese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 17 years); Infant (under 2).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What are the two shore excursions I can choose from on day two?

The 816 Underground Nuclear Project is a massive military engineering site built during the Cold War, hidden deep inside a mountain. The alternative is the world's first underwater museum, where you see ancient hydrological inscriptions, then walk through historic Wanzhou streets and participate in a complimentary seal-carving cultural experience.

Does the cruise price include meals and entrance tickets?

Yes. All meals onboard, entrance tickets for every scenic spot in the itinerary, shuttle buses, cable cars and the cruise service charge are included in the price. There are no hidden costs.

What happens on day three of the cruise?

Day three travels through the Lesser Three Gorges by smaller boat, passing through narrow gorges surrounded by steep cliffs and unspoiled natural scenery.

Is airport transfer from Chongqing included?

Airport, railway station or hotel transfers within Chongqing's Yuzhong District are included for Executive Suite bookings only. Deluxe River View Room bookings do not include transfers.

What is the crew-to-passenger ratio on the Yangtze Wonder?

The ship maintains a 1:1.93 crew-to-passenger ratio, which means butler service is personalized and attentive throughout your four days onboard.

Can the cruise schedule change?

Yes. Weather conditions may affect the cruise schedule and exact arrival times cannot be guaranteed, so allow sufficient buffer time when booking your return transportation from Yichang.