Yangtze Three Gorges Cruise from Chongqing — The Legendary River Journey, Prices & How to Start 2026

Q: Where does the Three Gorges cruise start in Chongqing?

Most Three Gorges cruise ships depart from Chaotianmen Wharf (朝天门), at the tip of the Yuzhong peninsula where the Yangtze and Jialing rivers meet. Some lines board at Chaotianmen itself, others at a nearby wharf depending on the operator's schedule. Your cruise line will confirm the exact pier and boarding time after you book — always check before you go.

Q: What is the difference between downstream and upstream, and which should I pick?

Downstream (Chongqing to Yichang) is faster — 3 nights / 4 days — and ships dock in the evening, so there is no rocking motion overnight; it suits travellers short on time. Upstream (Yichang to Chongqing) is slower — 4 nights / 5 days — and ships sail at night to reach the scenic stretches in daylight, but cabins of the same class usually cost the same. Most people flying into Chongqing pick the downstream route because it is shorter and lets you set off straight from the city.

Q: What is the best time of year for a Three Gorges cruise?

Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) are best — cooler, clearer air and sharp views of the cliffs. Summer (June–August) tends to be hot and hazy, which can obscure the scenery. Ships still run in winter and crowds are thinner, though some days are grey. Avoid the Golden Week holiday (1–7 October) and Chinese New Year, when ships fill up and prices spike.

What it is

Why the Three Gorges is on everyone's list

Picture this: one morning you wake on the boat, pull back the cabin curtain, and find sheer rock walls almost a thousand metres high standing on either side of a river that has narrowed so much the ship seems to thread the gap. Cloud clings to the mountains, the jade-green water drifts past — this is Qutang Gorge (瞿塘峡), the shortest and most dramatic of the three, and the very view printed on the back of China's ¥10 banknote.

The Three Gorges (长江三峡) is the collective name for three canyons where the Yangtze cuts between Chongqing and Hubei province — Qutang, the shortest and narrowest; Wu Gorge (巫峡), quiet and beautiful, its twelve peaks wrapped in mist; and Xiling Gorge (西陵峡), the longest, which opens out towards the city of Yichang. You don't cross the Three Gorges by car or on foot — you do it on a multi-day cruise that begins at Chongqing's Chaotianmen wharf, where the Yangtze and Jialing rivers meet.

Let's be honest from the start: this is an overnight voyage, not a day trip. The standard downstream route takes 3 nights and 4 days, with the ship pausing for shore excursions along the way — Fengdu Ghost City, the wooden Shibaozhai pagoda, the Lesser Three Gorges, and the colossal Three Gorges Dam. If this is what brought you to Chongqing, it earns every night you give it. If you are short on time, we cover the quick alternative at the end.

Yangtze Three Gorges cruise — towering rock cliffs framing the narrowed Yangtze River as a cruise ship passes through the gorge — The Yangtze Three Gorges — thousand-metre cliffs flanking the river, the signature view of this cruise

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Format

Overnight cruise

Not a day trip

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Duration

3 nights / 4 days (downstream)

Upstream is 4 nights / 5 days

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Departure wharf

Chaotianmen 朝天门

Tip of the Yuzhong peninsula

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Destination

Yichang

Hubei · disembark near the dam

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From

~¥1,800–3,500 (~฿9,000–17,500)

Per person · varies by ship/cabin/season

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Best time

Apr–May · Sep–Oct

Avoid hazy, hot summer skies

The gorges & the main stops

5 scenes you'll meet along the way

In the order a downstream ship actually reaches them, from Chongqing to Yichang

1

Fengdu Ghost City (丰都)

Day 1–2 stop · shore excursion

A hillside on Mingshan covered in temples, shrines and statues of ghosts and demons, drawn from Chinese folk beliefs about the afterlife. It's a popular early shore stop — strange and atmospheric, mixing Taoist and Buddhist tradition. You climb stone steps through gateways that spirits were said to pass on their way to the underworld.
2

Shibaozhai (石宝寨)

Stop · 12-storey wooden pagoda

A red, twelve-storey wooden pagoda built against a huge riverside rock — one of the most striking pieces of timber architecture on the route. Since the dam raised the water level, a protective wall now rings its base, so it appears to float on the river. Climb to the top for wide views across the Yangtze.
3

Qutang Gorge (瞿塘峡)

Highlight · the ¥10-note view

The shortest gorge (~8 km) but the narrowest and most dramatic, squeezing to roughly 150 metres at its tightest point. Its entrance, Kuimen (夔门), is flanked by sheer vertical cliffs — this is the exact scene printed on the back of the ¥10 note. Nearby sits the ancient Baidicheng (White Emperor City), the best vantage point over Kuimen. Have your camera ready here.
4

Wu Gorge + Lesser Three Gorges (巫峡 · 小三峡)

Quiet beauty · small-boat excursion

Wu Gorge runs ~25 km and is known for its quiet beauty; its twelve peaks (including the Goddess Peak) are often veiled in mist, the cliffs so steep that sunlight barely reaches the water. Most large ships pause here to let you board a small boat into the Lesser Three Gorges (小三峡) on the Daning tributary — clearer water, tighter channels, and a close-up look at riverside life of the local minority communities.
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Xiling Gorge + Three Gorges Dam (西陵峡 · 三峡大坝)

Final stretch · last-day shore excursion

Xiling is the longest gorge and the final stretch before Yichang. The ship then passes through the ship locks of the Three Gorges Dam — the largest hydroelectric dam in the world. The shore excursion takes you to a viewing area above the dam, where you take in the sheer scale of the engineering before the voyage ends at Yichang's wharf.

Note: the shore stops and the order in which ships pass each gorge vary by cruise line, water level and river traffic. Some sailings pass Xiling Gorge at night, so it isn't always seen in clear daylight — check the itinerary of the ship you've booked before you travel.

Choosing & booking a cruise

How to choose a ship — downstream or upstream, and where to book

🧭 Downstream vs upstream

Downstream (Chongqing → Yichang) is the route most people choose, because it's faster: 3 nights / 4 days, with the ship riding the current at around 29 km/h and usually docking overnight — which means a still, motion-free night's sleep. It suits you if you fly into Chongqing and want to set off straight away.

Upstream (Yichang → Chongqing) is slower (~16 km/h), taking 4 nights / 5 days, and ships sail at night to reach the scenic stretches in daylight. Its appeal is the gradual narrowing of the river towards the gorges, which feels like a slow discovery. Cabins of the same class generally cost the same in both directions — the difference is the number of nights and where you start and finish.

🚢 Cruise lines & cabin classes

Several lines sail from Chongqing — among them Century (世纪), President (总统), Victoria Cruises, Yangtze Gold and others — ranging from standard ships to five-star vessels with a private balcony in every cabin, a spa and several restaurants. Most cabins are twins with a river-facing balcony, which is well worth it since the view is the whole point of this trip.

A standard 3-night / 4-day downstream cruise starts at roughly ¥1,800–3,500 per person (~฿9,000–17,500), depending on the line, cabin class and season; luxury ships run well above that. The fare usually includes your cabin, all meals on board and the main shore excursions, but tips/service charges, some optional excursions and drinks are typically extra at around ¥200–350 per day.

Tip: compare ships and book ahead on Klook — especially in high season, when the better cabins sell out fast. See Three Gorges cruises on Klook →

The Yangtze River at Chongqing — boats on the broad river with the mountain city rising on both banks, the starting point of the Three Gorges cruise — The Yangtze at Chongqing — where the journey begins before the river narrows into the Three Gorges

🍃 The best time to go

Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) are the prime seasons for the Three Gorges: cooler, clearer air and sharp views of the cliffs and peaks. Summer (June–August) tends to be hot, humid and hazy, which often obscures the scenery — even if some fares dip. In winter, ships still sail and crowds are thinner, though some days turn grey.

Avoid the Golden Week holiday (1–7 October) and Chinese New Year, when ships fill up, shore stops are crowded and prices climb. If you can, book a weekday outside the festival peaks for both a better price and more calm.

Starting from Chongqing

Where you board — and what to do if time is short

Almost all Three Gorges cruise ships depart from Chaotianmen Wharf (朝天门), at the tip of the Yuzhong peninsula where the Yangtze and Jialing rivers meet — the city's main wharf, right by the easy-to-spot Raffles City. After you book, the line will confirm your exact pier and boarding time (some board at Chaotianmen itself, others at a nearby wharf). Always check before you go.

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Boarding

Chaotianmen Pier

Tip of Yuzhong · by Raffles City — Metro L1/L6 Xiaoshizi then a short walk, or taxi

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Arrive a night early

Stay near Jiefangbei/Chaotianmen

Ships usually leave afternoon–evening — arriving the day before is far less rushed

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Onward from Yichang

High-speed rail

Yichang connects easily by train to Wuhan and beyond — plan the onward leg in advance

🌃 Short on time: the Two Rivers Night Cruise

If you only have one evening in Chongqing and can't commit to a multi-day sailing, the best alternative is the Two Rivers Night Cruise (两江夜游) — an in-city loop along the Yangtze and Jialing, past Hongyadong, the Chaotianmen Bridge, the confluence of the two rivers, and the floodlit skyline of skyscrapers. It lasts just 45–60 minutes and costs around ¥138–198 per person (~฿690–990), departing Chaotianmen between roughly 19:00 and 21:00 (boats leave when full).

It isn't the Three Gorges, but it's the quickest and most beautiful way to understand in a single evening why Chongqing is called a "city of lights".

Where to stay

Hotels near Chaotianmen Wharf before you sail

Arrive in Chongqing a night before the cruise — stay around Jiefangbei/Chaotianmen and walk to your boat the next morning

10 best hotels in Chongqing

Picked for central location, river views and proximity to the main sights

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6 luxury hotels in Chongqing

Including Raffles City right at Chaotianmen — see the two-river confluence from your room

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The full Chongqing guide

Where to stay, what to see, how to get around — everything before you go

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Frequently asked

FAQ · the Three Gorges before you set off

Can the Three Gorges be done as a day trip?

No. The full Three Gorges cruise from Chongqing to Yichang is an overnight voyage — typically 3 nights / 4 days downstream, or 4 nights / 5 days upstream. It is not a there-and-back day trip. If you only have one evening in Chongqing and want a taste of the river, take the in-city Two Rivers Night Cruise (两江夜游) instead, which lasts only 45–60 minutes.

Where does the Three Gorges cruise start in Chongqing?

Most Three Gorges cruise ships depart from Chaotianmen Wharf (朝天门), at the tip of the Yuzhong peninsula where the Yangtze and Jialing rivers meet. Some lines board at Chaotianmen itself, others at a nearby wharf depending on the operator's schedule. Your cruise line will confirm the exact pier and boarding time after you book — always check before you go.

What is the difference between downstream and upstream, and which should I pick?

Downstream (Chongqing → Yichang) is faster — 3 nights / 4 days — and ships dock in the evening, so there is no rocking motion overnight; it suits travellers short on time. Upstream (Yichang → Chongqing) is slower — 4 nights / 5 days — and ships sail at night to reach the scenic stretches in daylight, but cabins of the same class usually cost the same. Most people flying into Chongqing pick the downstream route because it is shorter and lets you set off straight from the city.

How much does a Three Gorges cruise cost?

A standard 3-night / 4-day downstream cruise starts at roughly ¥1,800–3,500 per person (about ฿9,000–17,500), depending on the line, cabin class and season. Five-star luxury ships (Century, President No.) cost considerably more. The fare usually includes your cabin, all meals on board and the main shore excursions, but tips/service charges, optional excursions and drinks are often extra at around ¥200–350 per day. Always check what is included before booking.

What is the best time of year for a Three Gorges cruise?

Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) are best — cooler, clearer air and sharp views of the cliffs. Summer (June–August) tends to be hot and hazy, which can obscure the scenery. Ships still run in winter and crowds are thinner, though some days are grey. Avoid the Golden Week holiday (1–7 October) and Chinese New Year, when ships fill up and prices spike.

Top things to see in Chongqing

Hongyadong, the Liziba train-through-a-building, the Yangtze cableway and more

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Day trips around Chongqing

Dazu Rock Carvings, Wulong Karst and the Three Gorges — out of the city for a day

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Jiefangbei & the city centre

The Liberation Monument, shopping core and Bayi snack street — walkable to Chaotianmen

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