Yangtze River Cruise Destinations
A Yangtze itinerary strings together gorges, temples and the world’s largest dam. Here is what waits at each stop.
Chongqing
The vast mountain metropolis where most cruises begin — famous for its hotpot, the Ciqikou old town and a panda-viewing option.
Fengdu, the Ghost City
A hillside of temples devoted to the afterlife in Chinese folklore — an atmospheric early stop.
Shibaozhai
A striking red 12-story wooden pavilion clinging to a riverside rock — one of the Yangtze’s signature sights.
The Three Gorges
Qutang, Wu and Xiling — miles of sheer cliffs, peaks and legend, the scenic climax of the cruise.
The Lesser Gorges
A sampan or small-boat excursion into narrow, emerald side-canyons too tight for the big ships — a highlight for many.
The Three Gorges Dam & Yichang
The colossal dam and its five-stage ship locks, then Yichang, where most cruises end and the road to Xi’an or Shanghai begins.
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