Updated for foreign travelers choosing Yangtze River cruises
This Yangtze River Three Gorges Cruise Guide helps you pick the right ship and itinerary for your trip. Choosing a Three Gorges cruise can feel overwhelming for international visitors: there are 45+ ships to pick from, with different departure cities, travel durations, and price points that vary wildly.
Introduction
Choosing a Three Gorges cruise can feel overwhelming for international visitors. There are 45+ ships to pick from, with different departure cities (Chongqing, Yichang, Wuhan), travel durations (3 days to 15 days), and price points that vary wildly. Plus, many cruises are marketed only in Chinese, making it hard to tell which ships offer English service, which itineraries match your schedule, and which ones are actually worth the money.
Take James and Margaret, a 62-year-old couple from the UK—they wanted a relaxing 4-day Yangtze cruise with good food and easy boarding. But with no English reviews and unclear schedules, they almost booked a budget ship that skipped the key Three Gorges highlights. That’s why we’ve broken down every tier, ship, and itinerary in plain English, so you can pick the perfect cruise without the guesswork.
Tier 1: Top Yangtze River Three Gorges Cruise Ships
These are the top-tier ships, often called the “Three Gorges ceiling.” They include premium perks like lift access to the top deck, English-speaking guides, and one-of-a-kind experiences like sailing through the ship lift.
- New Century Explorer (新长江探索)
- Itinerary: Chongqing → Yichang (4 days 3 nights)
- Price: ¥7,149/person and up
- Highlights: 2025 maiden voyage, the only ship that goes through the Three Gorges Ship Lift directly, all-suite cabins with butler service, private shore excursions.
Tier 2: Premium All-Inclusive Cruises
These are newer ships with great food, unlimited drinks, and top-tier service—perfect for travelers who want comfort without the ultra-luxury price tag.
- Changjiang Hangyue/ Aurora (长江行揽月 / 极光)
- Itinerary: Chongqing → Yichang (4 days 3 nights)
- Price: ¥4,399/person and up
- Highlights: Smart ship with high-speed WiFi and “Hongmeng Smart Cabins,” includes the Two Dams and One Gorge tour, true “all-inclusive” pricing with no hidden fees.
- Century Yuanhang (世纪远航)
- Itinerary: Chongqing → Yichang (4 days 3 nights)
- Price: ¥5,269/person and up
- Highlights: 2024 new ship, renowned for its international buffet, free-flowing wine and beer, spacious public areas.
- Changjiang Sanhao (长江叁号)
- Itinerary: Chongqing → Yichang (4 days 3 nights)
- Price: ¥4,580/person and up
- Highlights: 2022 new ship, high construction cost, large cabins with balconies, English-speaking staff on request.
- Century Oasis/ Victory/ Glory (世纪绿洲 / 凯歌 / 荣耀)
- Itinerary: Chongqing → Yichang (4 days 3 nights)
- Price: ¥4,039/person and up
- Highlights: New, large ships with multiple dining venues, excellent service, popular with both Chinese and international travelers.
Special Tier: Unique Itinerary Cruises
These ships offer rare routes (like Chongqing → Wuhan or Chongqing → Shanghai) that most cruises don’t include, making them ideal for travelers who want a longer Yangtze experience.
- Changjiang Yihao (长江壹号)
- Itinerary: Chongqing → Yichang (4 days 3 nights)
- Price: ¥4,480/person and up
- Highlights: Better shore excursions than most standard cruises, goes through the Three Gorges Ship Lift directly, great for first-time visitors.
- Changjiang Qiji (长江奇迹)
- Itinerary: Chongqing → Yichang (4 days 3 nights)
- Price: ¥4,124/person and up
- Highlights: Similar itinerary to the New Century Explorer, good food and service, a more affordable alternative to the top-tier ship.
- President 7 (总统 7 号)
- Itinerary: Chongqing → Wuhan (6 days 5 nights)
- Price: ¥3,966/person and up
- Highlights: Rare Chongqing to Wuhan route, stops at Yueyang Tower and Jingzhou Ancient City, spacious suites.
- Changjiang Erhao (长江贰号)
- Itinerary: Chongqing → Wuhan (6 days 5 nights)
- Price: ¥5,199/person and up
- Highlights: Premium Chongqing to Wuhan cruise, large balconied cabins, excellent on-board facilities.
- Century Legend (世纪传奇)
- Itinerary: Chongqing → Shanghai (15 days 14 nights)
- Price: ¥16,800/person and up
- Highlights: The only ship on the Chongqing → Shanghai route, the ultimate Yangtze experience, includes stops in Nanjing and Suzhou.
Tier 3: Mid-Range Comfort Cruises
These ships offer a great balance of comfort, fun, and value—many have family-friendly amenities like kids’ clubs, and they’re perfect for travelers on a mid-range budget.
- Changjiang Yunfan (长江云帆)
- Itinerary: Chongqing → Yichang (4 days 3 nights)
- Price: ¥2,780/person and up
- Highlights: 18,000-ton “Three Gorges Giant,” maiden voyage April 2026, huge cabins, multiple dining options.
- Kaixuan (凯璇号)
- Itinerary: Chongqing → Yichang (4 days 3 nights)
- Price: ¥3,199/person and up
- Highlights: Maiden voyage before October 2025, the only ship with an escalator to the top deck (great for older travelers), large observation deck.
- Changjiang Ruge (长江如歌)
- Itinerary: Chongqing → Yichang (4 days 3 nights)
- Price: ¥3,300/person and up
- Highlights: Maiden voyage October 2025, brand-new ship with a large children’s play area, modern design.
- Kaiyue (凯悦号)
- Itinerary: Chongqing → Yichang (4 days 3 nights)
- Price: ¥2,599/person and up
- Highlights: Launched 2020, sleek design with photo-friendly spots, popular with younger travelers.
- Changjiang Jiyi (长江记忆)
- Itinerary: Chongqing → Yichang (4 days 3 nights)
- Price: ¥2,599/person and up
- Highlights: Retro 1980s vibe, packed with activities and photo spots, a fun, laid-back option.
- Huaxia 3 (华夏 3 号)
- Itinerary: Chongqing → Yichang (4 days 3 nights)
- Price: ¥2,599/person and up
- Highlights: Famous for its large children’s playground and arcade, great for families.
- Century Myth (世纪神话)
- Itinerary: Chongqing → Yichang (4 days 3 nights)
- Price: ¥3,100/person and up
- Highlights: One of the best older ships, all-inclusive pricing (excluding the ship lift), reliable service.
This Yangtze River Three Gorges Cruise Guide breaks down every option by tier, so you can compare and choose easily.
Tier 4: Budget-Friendly Cruises with Great Value
These are solid mid-range ships at a lower price point—they’re perfect for travelers who want to experience the Three Gorges without splurging on luxury extras.
- Star Athena/ Apollo (星际雅典娜 / 阿波罗)
- Itinerary: Chongqing → Yichang (4 days 3 nights)
- Price: ¥2,199/person and up
- Highlights: 2021 new ships, great value for money, clean cabins, standard shore excursions.
- Gold 2/3/5/6/8 (黄金 2/3/5/6/8 号)
- Itinerary: Chongqing → Yichang (4 days 3 nights)
- Price: ¥2,199/person and up
- Highlights: State-owned ships, large tonnage, grand public areas, reliable service.
- President 6/8 (总统 6/8 号)
- Itinerary: Chongqing → Yichang (4 days 3 nights)
- Price: ¥2,199/person and up
- Highlights: Large cabins with balconies, spacious bathrooms, a popular choice for budget travelers.
- Huaxia 5 (华夏 5 号)
- Itinerary: Chongqing → Yichang (4 days 3 nights)
- Price: ¥2,399/person and up
- Highlights: Renovated in 2025, all-inclusive pricing (excluding the ship lift), updated facilities.
Tier 5: Entry-Level Budget Cruises
These are the most affordable options, perfect for travelers on a tight budget or those taking their first Yangtze cruise.
- Kaizhen/ Na/ Di (凯珍 / 娜 / 蒂)
- Itinerary: Chongqing → Yichang (4 days 3 nights)
- Price: ¥1,999/person and up
- Highlights: Small, intimate ships with a mix of Chinese and Western decor, cozy cabins.
- Changjiang Yinxiang/ Chuanshuo (长江印象 / 传说)
- Itinerary: Chongqing → Yichang (4 days 3 nights)
- Price: ¥1,699/person and up
- Highlights: Basic but clean entry-level cruises, great for travelers who want to experience the Three Gorges on a budget.
- Changjiang Faxian (长江发现)
- Itinerary: Chongqing → Yichang (4 days 3 nights)
- Price: ¥1,999/person and up
- Highlights: One of the better budget ships, decent food and service, a step up from basic entry-level options.
- Star Crystal (星际水晶)
- Itinerary: Chongqing → Yichang (4 days 3 nights)
- Price: ¥2,099/person and up
- Highlights: Perfect for first-time cruisers, great value, simple but comfortable facilities.
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| Title | Range | Discount |
|---|---|---|
| Buy 2 Guides – Save 15% | 2 – 3 | 15% |
| Best Value: Buy 4 Guides | 4 – 5 | 35% |
| Buy 6 Guides – Save 45% | 6 + | 45% |
Tier 6: Short 3-Day & Day Cruises
These are short itineraries for travelers who don’t have 4+ days to spare, with 3-day cruises and even one-way day trips.
- Star Navigator (星际领航)
- Itinerary: Chongqing → Yichang (3 days 2 nights)
- Price: ¥1,388/person and up
- Highlights: Short 3-day itinerary, perfect for travelers with limited time, basic but clean facilities.
- President 2/ Victoria 3 (总统 2 号 / 维多利亚 3 号)
- Itinerary: Chongqing → Yichang (3 days 2 nights)
- Price: ¥1,399/person and up
- Highlights: Short 3-day cruises with the option to board in Wanzhou, flexible for different schedules.
- Royal Starlight/ Shengshi (皇家星光 / 盛世)
- Itinerary: Chongqing → Yichang (3 days 2 nights)
- Price: ¥1,699/person and up
- Highlights: Unique themed cruises, a fun option for travelers looking for something different.
- Changjiang Guanguang/ Futai (长江观光 / 孚泰)
- Itinerary: Chongqing → Yichang (3 days 2 nights)
- Price: ¥888/person and up
- Highlights: Budget business-class cruises, the cheapest way to experience the Three Gorges.
- Century Jiangshan Rushi (世纪江山如诗)
- Itinerary: Fengjie (Chongqing) → Zigui (Yichang) (1 day)
- Price: ¥699/person and up
- Highlights: One-way day cruise, perfect for travelers who want a quick Three Gorges experience without an overnight stay.
Final Tips for Choosing Your Cruise
For James and Margaret, the UK couple in their 60s, we recommended the Century Yuanhang (世纪远航). It’s a new, premium ship with spacious cabins, great food, and easy boarding—perfect for older travelers who want comfort and convenience. They loved that they didn’t have to worry about hidden fees or confusing schedules, and they got to see all the key Three Gorges highlights without any stress.
No matter your budget or travel style, this Yangtze River Three Gorges Cruise Guide has an option for you. Drop your travel dates, group size, and preferred itinerary in the comments, and we’ll send you our personalized ship recommendations and booking tips. This Yangtze River Three Gorges Cruise Guide will help you choose the right ship easily.
This article is an original Three Gorges cruise guide from dolphinunion.com. For detailed itineraries, real-time pricing, and English booking support, visit our official website.
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