4D3N Yangtze River Cruise:Chongqing to Yichang by Yangzi Explorer

Day 1 · Depart Chongqing

1. 1

   Chongqing Chaotianmen

   4 hours

   This afternoon, board Yangzi Explorer for your cruise downstream to Yichang. You will be met at

   Chongqing Chaotianmen pier and transferred to the boat.

   After you’ve settled into your cabin you can join your fellow guests in the Explorer Bar for the

   Captain’s Welcome Reception. The large windows allow you to enjoy the night-time cityscape of

   Chongqing.

   16:00 - 20:30 Board at Chaotianmen Port

   19:00 - 21:00 Buffet dinner on board

   21:15 Safety Briefing in the Explorer Bar

   21:30 Captain’s Welcome Reception in the Explorer Bar

Chinese & Western buffet; 19:00-21:00 Free flow House wine, local beer, variety of soft drinks are included

Overnight at Yangzi Explorer Ship, a 5-star boat.

Day 2 · Fuling

1. 1

   816 Nuclear Military Plant

   2 hours Admission included

   Start your morning with a traditional Tai Chi lesson, led by our Tai Chi Master and work up an appetite for the

   buffet breakfast.

   This morning, visit the Fuling 816 nuclear engineering site. Hidden in the Wuling Mountains of Fuling, the 816

   Underground Nuclear Project is the world’s largest known man-made military cave. 58 years ago, more than

   60,000 constructors, came to Jianzishan, an uninhabited place among mountains and forest, to start work on a

   top-secret construction of a monumental scale. The work continued for 17 years and was nearly completed

   when the government decided to suspend it, before any nuclear material could be produced. Now as the secrets

   of military caves are revealed, you will be able to look at the true face of 816 project hidden for almost 60 years.

2. 2

   Stop 2

   2 hours Admission included

   Alternatively, you can choose to visit to the White Crane Ridge Underwater Museum and local market. The

   museum will take you some 148 feet under water to admire the river bed and the intricate ancient rock

   carvings left there since AD 763 in Tang Dynasty. Learn about the Yangtze river, it’s flora and fauna, while

   enjoying this fascinating museum. Your next stop will be the local market, where you will gain insight into the

   region’s rich culinary culture. This is a daily market where farmers meet to buy and sell a variety of goods,

   ranging from fruit and vegetables to fish and meat, and of course a whole array of pickles - which Fuling is

   famous for.

   Back to ship for a la cart lunch and afternoon at leisure.

3. 3

   Stop 3

   one hour

   In the evening, enjoy VIP seats at an epic, large-scale live performance of The Beacon of Three Kingdoms. The

   performance will be a cultural feast with the Three Gorges Harbor as the stage, the culture of The Three

   Kingdoms as the theme, and the spirit of loyalty and righteousness as the soul. Based on the famous 14thcentury novel ‘The Romance of the Three Kingdoms’, the story is part historical, part legend, and part mythical.

   The dreamlike performance includes horseback battles, lighting and water effects, 3D holographic projects and

   fireworks.

Chinese & Western buffet;07:00-08:30, but during 06:30-07:00 also has a Morning coffee, tea and pastries · Chinese & Western buffet; 12:00-13:30 · Chinese & Western buffet; 19:00-20:30

Overnight at Yangzi Explorer Ship, a 5-star boat.

Day 3 · Wushan & Badong - Highlight of the three gorges

1. 1

   Chongqing Qutang Gorge

   4 hours Admission included

   Today, we sail across Qutang Gorges in the morning glow. Qutang Gorge, also known as Kui Gorges and

   Ba Gorge, is the first gorge of the Three Gorges of Yangtze River. Admire the splendor of the green

   peaks and tranquility of the river on the Explorer Deck.

   After breakfast, join the morning tour to explore the Wushan Goddess Sky Road. Embark on the Yangzi

   Explorer Trail, named after Yangzi Explorer, stroll among the cliffs at an altitude of about 1,000 meters,

   and overlook Goddess Peak and the Yangtze River. Going deeper, you will board the private lookout of

   Yangzi Explorer. The 12 peaks of Wushan will be right in front of you. A champagne reception awaits

   you here, exclusive to Yangzi Explorer passengers.

   Alternatively, you can take a 1.5 hour light hiking in Wu Gorge through the mountain villages. We will

   hike through traditional villages in the hinterland of the Gorge. Learn about the geography, local

   products, flora and fauna of Wushan with your local guide.

2. 2

   Shennong Stream

   2 hours Admission included

   Return to ship for a buffet lunch on board. Right after lunch, enjoy passing of Wu Gorge, the second

   gorge of the Three Gorges. Wu Gorge is the most beautiful gorge among the Three Gorges.

   Characterized by majestic peaks crowned by lush forests, Wu Gorge is said to be celestial. Legend has

   it that Yao Ji loved this area so much that she and her 12 attendants were transformed into the

   graceful peaks you can see here along the river.

   Later today, experience a unique and tranquil ride along the Shennong Stream on a pea-shaped

   sampan - a traditional longboat used to rowed by Tujia boatman. As we gently float through this

   stunning riverine gorge flanked by verdant forest, you’ll see evidence of early settlements in the form

   of hanging coffins stowed high within the limestone cliffs.

Chinese & Western buffet;07:00-08:30, but during 06:30-07:00 also has a Morning coffee, tea and pastries · Chinese & Western buffet; 12:00-13:30 · Chinese & Western buffet; 19:00-20:30

Overnight at Yangzi Explorer Ship, a 5-star boat.

Day 4 · Yichang

1. 1

   Three Gorges Dam Project

   2 hours Admission included

   This morning, visit the Three Gorges Dam, the Great Steel Wall on the Yangtze River.

   Spanning 2,335 meters in length and 181 meters in height, the dam is the largest and most expensive

   engineering project in the world. While the dam’s 32 generators produce enough clean energy to reduce

   China’s reliance on coal, the project has also caused much controversy. During construction, 13 cities, 140

   towns, 1,352 villages, over 600 industrial factories and more than 1,200 archaeological projects have been

   submerged and 1.2 million people resettled.

   Our exclusive itinerary will include a visit to the River Closure Park & Three Gorges Project Museum,

   which was newly open to public in August 2022.

   Optional: Three Gorges Ship Lift Experience on VIP Deck: CNY380pp (minimum 20 guests required).

   Lunch will be held at Juweng Restaurant for Yichang local delicacies. After lunch, you will be

   transferred to Yichang Airport or Yichang East Railway Station.

Chinese & Western buffet;07:00-08:30, but during 06:30-07:00 also has a Morning coffee, tea and pastries