[2025 Chongqing ] Travel Guide for Yangzi River Cruise (Updated May)

Day 1 I started my cruise from Chongqing. Aboard 黃金2號 in the evening n jus chill. No meal served for Day 1. When reached the port, if you have a huge and heavy luggage, you can do what I did , that was to engage a guy at the port to help you carry your luggage on board as there are quite a few steps down and a roughly 50m walk to the ship and more steps up and down at the ship that u need to carry the luggage. Cost of carrying the luggage depends on the weight of your luggage. Mine is huge and weighed about 25kg but only cost RMB20. (u would likely to tip him more when the luggage arrived at the ship). It help them earns a living for the day. Day 2. 三峽遊 or Three Gorges cruise started with an optional tour RMB290 to little three gorges whereby u need to disembark and take a coach for a smaller ship. This optional tour is worth the value and will take quarter of the day from morning till noon. Afternoon- After lunch, there will be another disembarking for a smaller boat for an even smaller boat to view more mountains. Back for dinner and chill. At 8:30pm there is a staff performance which is free and pretty good w 變臉 famous Chengdu face mask changing performance and local dances as well. Day 3. Another optional tour RMB290 to witness the elevation of ship at the Dam. Need to disembark and move to a smaller ship. I regretted paying for this as no n poor crowds control lead to some argument amongst the locals and you can’t see much if u did not “stand “ at the right position. (Hint :- best to be at the rear of the smaller ship) This will end the 3D2N cruise and the cruise will end in Yichang 宜昌. I upgraded my room to a king sized bed which very spacious and comfortable. I also upgraded my meal to VIP dining room at level 6 with allocated seat thus won’t feel risk of seat taken while re-filling my food or undesirable eating habit within the same table with strangers. At VIP room, besides the buffet meals, a set of meal like pork chop or a bowl of noodle w small abalone will be served to each diner. Only cost you additional RMB300, mine was as discounted price of RMB150 only. (strongly encouraged if u are solo traveller like me as u will be allocated a table just for u) Food was generous with constant refilled. It comes w fruits, cake , local delicacies, juices, coffee n tea. Activities within the cruise - There are mahjong room, gym, tiny swimming pool and drinking room to chill within the cruise ship. Warm towel were given when passengers embarked the cruise ship again. Lastly, to add, 2 breakfast, 1 lunch and 1 dinner included in the package. #cruiseholiday #长江黄金二号

Panzhihua, also known as Steel City or Dukou, is located at the southernmost tip of Sichuan Province, at the junction of Sichuan and Yunnan. It is the southern gateway to eastern Sichuan and borders Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture to the north. As the first city on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, the Jinsha and Yalong Rivers converge here. It is Sichuan's only subtropical fruit production base. The main attractions include the Panxi Grand Canyon, Gesala Ecological Tourism Area, Ertan National Forest Park, and a museum where you can learn about the past, the Panzhihua China Third-Line Construction Museum. Panzhihua Nanshan Hotel is not far from the G5 Beijing-Kunming Expressway exit. It is located on the hillside of Nanshan, surrounded by green trees. Below, there is also a Moonlight Lotus Pond Food Plaza. The hotel should belong to the Panzhihua Iron and Steel Group. There is also a large conference hall. In the first half of a month-and-a-half-long trip to the southwest, starting from Xi'an, transportation and hotel accommodations have changed dramatically compared to many years ago. Airplanes and high-speed trains are extremely convenient. After traveling through Chongqing, Kunming, and Tengchong, the second half of the trip was a self-driving tour. After passing through Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-La, we returned via the Beijing-Kunming Expressway, driving slowly for two to three hundred kilometers each day. After passing through Panzhihua, we rested for a day at Nanshan Hotel. The hotel should have been renovated not long ago. It has a luxurious style, open views, and is very quiet and comfortable. The room is very clean, and the price is very reasonable. The breakfast buffet is also good. Surrounded by green trees, the air is fresh, and you can take a walk. Driving through Panzhihua reminded me of Panzhihua Iron and Steel Company and the fiery years. A wonderful journey. Next stop: Xichang

President No. 6 Cruise Ticket: Chongqing to Wuhan 6-Day Tour Cruise through Gezhouba Dam and 5-stage ship locks. All-inclusive price, no hidden fees, no mandatory shopping. Comfortable twin room with a view window to enjoy the beautiful scenery. The rooms are fully equipped with a TV, air conditioning, and telephone. The cruise ship has restaurants, bars, and rest areas, providing a full range of leisure and entertainment facilities. Perfect for family trips and couples getaways to experience a different kind of water life.

Cruise ship: Interstellar Athena Highly recommend this boat! Great value for money! As a poor student with limited funds, and in need of some atmosphere, this is really an option! The facilities are European + modern, almost brand new, and the room is very big! Price: around 3000 Cruise + cabin upgrade = around 2500 (prices will fluctuate over time) Xiao Sanxia (including Xiao Xiao Sanxia) + boat lift = 580 Time: Four days and three nights Meals: The cruise fee includes three meals on the second and third days and breakfast on the fourth day (equivalent to 7 meals) All buffets, the food variety is really complete, every meal is a surprise! The food and beverage on the cruise ship is comparable to a buffet of around 100 yuan, and can even surpass it in terms of variety and ingredients! It’s just very conscientious! You won’t feel hungry or eat poorly! And the dinner will include cakes, snacks and drinks, all free! Attractions⛰️: All are worth visiting 1️⃣ Get on the ship around 5pm on the first day and leave Chongqing around 8pm The cruise ship docks at Chaotianmen Wharf. The ship staff will inform you of the specific pier in advance. You can see the river view of Chongqing. The cruise ship will drive under the Yangtze River Cableway and turn around, passing through Chaotianmen. It’s like touring the night view of Chongqing! 2️⃣ Arrive at Fengdu Ghost Town in the morning and Shibaozhai in the afternoon Both attractions are free. You can choose to take the cable car 🚡 up and down the mountain in Fengdu Ghost Town (the cable car costs RMB 35 per person), so it is still worth a visit. 3️⃣ On the third day, go to Baidi City in the morning (charged), and visit Xiao Sanxia and Xiao Xiao Sanxia in the afternoon (charged) We didn’t go to Baidi City. We chose to sleep in on the boat, which was really nice. We had lunch right after waking up and passed by the 10-yuan check-in spot (there are explanations on the deck, so you have to eat lunch quickly, otherwise you’ll miss it). In the afternoon, the Little Three Gorges includes the Small Little Three Gorges, and you will take a boat the whole way. The only regret is that I didn’t see any monkeys🐒. I saw two little monkeys on the shore while on the boat! Bring a telescope to see the hanging coffins! 4️⃣On the fourth day, take the boat lift (charged) in the morning to visit the Three Gorges Dam and arrive at Yichang East at around 2pm. I am really shocked by the powerful weapon of a great country! Be sure to take the boat lift! Everyone, sit down! The ship lift and the five-level ship lock are not the same thing. It takes 3-5 hours to pass through the five-level ship lock of the Three Gorges Dam. You can see the panoramic view from the top of the Three Gorges Dam! Other facilities on the cruise ship: gym, chess and card room, KTV and other entertainment facilities. I didn’t go to these entertainment facilities because I was really tired from the trip. Everyone should prepare some medicine before boarding the ship, just in case! Overall, it's really worth it! The past few days were really relaxing, especially watching the sunrise and sunset on the cruise ship. Being on the Yangtze River, watching the hustle and bustle on the shore, I was able to steal a half day of leisure. Or you can be in the Three Gorges and truly return to and integrate into nature. It's over, it's over, go to sleep💤

I must recommend it to you! ✅ Anticipation before departure 🌆 I was full of anticipation when I decided to embark on the cruise trip to the Three Gorges in Chongqing. I imagined sailing down the Yangtze River and shuttling between the magnificent Three Gorges. The picture was so beautiful that I couldn't help but look forward to it. When I was doing my research, I saw all kinds of beautiful pictures and introductions, and my expectations for this trip skyrocketed. ✅ The shocking moment of boarding the ship 🚢 When I arrived at the pier, the majestic appearance of the cruise ship came into view. When I boarded the ship, the staff enthusiastically guided me and helped me with my luggage. When I walked into the room, it was warm and comfortable, with spacious space and picturesque river views outside the window. I was instantly intoxicated and looked forward to the journey even more. ✅ Magnificent scenery of the Three Gorges 🌅 When the cruise ship set sail, I stayed on the deck, reluctant to miss a single bit of the beautiful scenery. The water of the Yangtze River was rippling, and the mountains on both sides were continuous. The Wu Gorge was deep and beautiful, with clouds and mist lingering like a fairyland; the Qutang Gorge was majestic and steep, with steep stone walls reaching straight into the sky. The scenery along the way was picturesque, and every frame was so beautiful that I wanted to freeze it. ✅ Colorful activities on the ship 🎉 There were a variety of activities on the cruise ship. During the day, there were lectures on the culture of the Three Gorges to increase knowledge; you could also participate in fun games on the deck, full of joy. At night, there were wonderful cultural performances, with singing, dancing, and magic shows one after another, and the atmosphere on site was extraordinary. ✅ Tempting food feast 🍱 The food on the ship was amazing! The restaurant offered Chinese and Western cuisine, with fresh seafood and authentic Sichuan cuisine. The fish from the Yangtze River was tender and delicious, leaving a lasting impression. There were a variety of breakfast options, including bread, fruit, and porridge, to start a vibrant day. ✅ Thoughtful and attentive service 🤵‍♂️ The service of the staff was first-class. The room service was meticulous, and the room was always clean. The restaurant service was enthusiastic and responded to needs in a timely manner. The tour guide's explanation was professional and vivid, bringing the stories behind each attraction to life. ✅ Unforgettable travel memories 📸 This cruise trip to the Three Gorges in Chongqing was an unforgettable experience. I enjoyed the beautiful scenery, had fun, ate to my heart's content, and received warm service. I sincerely recommend it to everyone to experience this unique charm! 💖