4-Day Chongqing Tour with Yangtze River Cruise

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Chongqing City Highlights
   Explore Some of the City's Iconic Attractions

   Welcome to the "Mountain City" of Chongqing. The city is known nationwide for its spicy hot pots and is the gateway to the Yangtze River cruise ships. Upon your arrival, the local guide will pick you up with a welcome board "China Xian Tour" and directly begin your exploration!

   First, be guided to enjoy a distant view of the Liziba Station of Chongqing Light Rail, China's first station to pass through high-rise residential buildings. Your guide will show you the best viewpoints. Continue down to Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street, the heart of Chongqing city. It has many hotels, restaurants, and shopping centers. On the nearby streets are a lot of snack stalls where you can try Chongqing Noodles, Hot and Sour Noodles, and Ice Jelly. At night, this is one of the main places for nightlife in Chongqing.

   

   Last, go to witness the city's most famous & beautiful night scene at Hongya Cave. There are densely packed stilted buildings with restaurants, snack streets, bars, cafes, and local specialty shops. From the viewing platform on the top floor, you can see the scenery of the confluence of the two rivers (Yangtze River & Jialing River) from afar.

   Note: you are suggested to arrive before 10:00 AM. If you arrive earlier, you can ask your guide to take you to visit other attractions, such as the  Three Gorges Museum and the Ciqikou Ancient Town.

   At the end, your tour guide will escort you to Chaotianmen Dock to board your Yangtze River Cruise. (Check-in time: 18:00 - 20:00)

   Meal: Lunch

   Accommodation: on the Cruise

2. Day 2: Yangtze River Cruise
   Being in the Midst of the Splendid River Scenery

   In the early morning, wake up in the natural beauty and take a Tai Chi session on the deck. Tai Chi is a form of traditional Chinese exercise that combines gentle movements with deep breathing to improve both physical and mental well-being. After that, have the chance to glimpse the history and culture of the Yangtze River and get to understand how the region has changed over time. Later, relax with a cup of coffee while enjoying the views along the riverbanks.

   In the afternoon, be guided to go on a shore excursion to the Shibaozhai Pagoda. This eye-catching wooden tower is 56 meters tall and has 12 floors. It was built on a hill next to the river. At the site, you’ll see a white jade wall carving that tells the story of Guan Yu, a famous hero from the Three Kingdoms period (220–280), who is honored as the God of War.

   Climbing to the top of the pagoda, you will visit the Hall of Heavenly Kings, with a history of over 400 years, the earliest surviving building in Shibaozhai.

   

   Today, you can also visit Fengdu Ghost City, which is famous for its mysterious Chinese mythology (for an additional fee).

   In the evening, you will attend a welcoming banquet and party on board and enjoy the cuisine of the Yangtze River Basin and cultural performances.

   Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

   Accommodation: on the Cruise

3. Day 3: Three Gorges Adventure
   Admire the Splendor of the Three Gorges

   Today, your ship will take you through the magnificent Three Gorges — Qutang, Wu, and Xiling. As you cruise along, you’ll get a up-close view of the steep cliffs and green hills on both sides of the river. Remember to bring your camera to capture the beautiful views.

   After some time on the ship, you’ll switch to a smaller boat to explore the narrow and peaceful Shennv Stream. This area features some of the most untouched, primitive natural scenery. Also, you have a chance to enjoy traditional music and dances from the Tujia ethnic group. The guide will tell you some facts and help you glimpse their unique culture.

   

   After that, return to the cruise ship for the evening Captain's Farewell Party. Enjoy music, dance, and farewell toasts to celebrate the perfect end of your Yangtze River cruise.

   Optional Activity today - White Emperor City:

   During the Tang (618-907) and Song dynasties (960-1279), famous poets such as Li Bai and Du Fu visited this place and wrote a lot of poems. So, White Emperor City has the reputation of "Poetry City". Surrounded by water on all sides, from the highest point of the city, one can overlook the spectacular scenery of the Yangtze River and its surroundings.

   Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

   Accommodation: on the Cruise

4. Day 4: Departure from Yichang
   Marvel at the World's Largest Water Conservancy Project

   After breakfast buffet, check out of the cruise and disembark at Maoping Port. Before leaving the Yangtze River, your guide will take you to see the amazing Three Gorges Dam, a great achievement of modern engineering. You can walk up Tanzi Ridge, which is 262.48 meters high, to enjoy a wide view of the entire dam. Also, go up to the 185 Viewpoint for a closer look at this stunning structure.

   

   After the visit, take the bus to the Yichang Three Gorges Center Cruise Terminal. A dedicated driver will send you to the airport for your flight to your next destination. Your 4-day Chongqing tour with Yangtze River Cruise ends here. Safe travels!

   Ideas for departure: At Yichang Three Gorges Airport, you can take flights to Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Hangzhou.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: N/A