Yangtze River Cruise in 3 Days: Baidicheng, Fengdu, Three Gorges

Yangtze River Cruise in 3 Days: Baidicheng, Fengdu, Three Gorges

20/07/2022 0 By admin

From the Great Wall and Forbidden City to the Terracotta Army and Yangtze River, China is home to countless natural, cultural, and historical treasures. Many first-time visitors go to Shanghai, Beijing, and Xi’an, but there are so many hidden gems not far away. A great way to discover China’s vast countryside is by taking a Yangtze river cruise, where you’ll uncover thousands of years of compelling history and untouched nature.

In this travel guide, I’ll cover the top sights, must-dos, and important logistics you should know before booking your Yangtze river cruise.

If you
haven’t seen my Instagram stories from my recent trip, be sure to check out these
highlights before reading the rest of my article:

(Here are my Yangtze River Cruise Stories)

Now, without further ado, here’s everything you need to know before embarking on your Yangtze river cruise!

Yangtze River cruise Three Gorges
Disclosure: I was invited to China on a FAM trip by the China National Tourist Office based out of New York City. As always, all opinions are my own.

Interesting
facts about the Yangtze River

Before diving into my Yangtze cruise ship experience, here’s some interesting information about China’s Yangtze River.

Also known
as Chang Jiang (“Long River”), the Yangtze is the most important waterway
in China. It extends more than 3,900 miles (6,300 km), making it the
third longest river in the world after the Nile and Amazon. Only
778 miles (1,250 km) is currently used for river cruises.

The Yangtze
River
begins in the mountains of Tibet, and runs all the way to the East
China Sea
near Shanghai. It’s home to the Three Gorges
Dam
, the world’s biggest source of hydroelectric power. More than one-third
of China’s population lives along the river, underscoring its historic,
cultural, and economic importance.

In recent years, Three Gorges river cruises have become a top tourist attraction in the heart of China.

Yangtze river cruises are among the top attractions in China

How long
should you spend on a Yangtze river cruise?

This really depends on how much money you’re willing to spend and how relaxing/fast-paced you’d like your itinerary to be. I did a 3-night Yangtze cruise from Chongqing to Yichang aboard the Yangtze Gold 8, which covered most of the highlights along the Yangtze, including Fengdu Ghost City, White Emperor City, and the Three Gorges. However, if you’re not strapped for time (and cash), there are plenty of cruise lines offering longer voyages. Here are the most popular cruise itineraries:

  • 3-4 days: Chongqing
    to Yichang. This is the most popular route amongst international travelers.
  • 10-11 days: Chongqing
    to Shanghai.

Note: there used to be Yangtze cruise itineraries from Chongqing to Wuhan, however no cruise lines will be servicing this route in 2020.

When is the best time of year to do a Yangtze and Three Gorges river cruise?

During my recent trip to China, I asked multiple cruise tour operators and guides this question. They advised that the spring and fall months— April, May, September, and October – are ideal for taking a Yangtze river cruise. This is when the weather is generally comfortable and there’s not much rain.

Spring
and fall

In the spring, you’ll see the blossoms bloom. In the fall, the leaves on the trees turn bright red. That’s part of the reason why the spring and fall are considered “high season.” I think it’s totally worth the higher prices that come with it, as the weather can really make or break your trip on a Yangtze river cruise.

Winter

If saving
money is your top priority, consider taking a cruise during the winter. Not
only are prices low, this is when the Yangtze River is at its lowest
water levels. As such, the Three Gorges will appear taller and more
dramatic.

Summer

Due to the immense heat, humidity, and rainfall, summer is not a very desirable time for cruising on the Yangtze. Though if you do, be sure to book well in advance, as many people spend their summer holidays there.

Yangtze river cruise in the fall
I took a Yangtze river cruise in the late-fall, which is known for being cloudy and rainy.

Chongqing,
one of China’s hottest destinations

Planning to
take a Yangtze river cruise from Chongqing? Before embarking, I
recommend giving yourself at least a day or two to explore this vast city.

As the world’s fastest-growing tourism destination, Chongqing is a sizzling hot place right now. It’s known for its hot temperatures, hot springs, and hot pot, among many other things. The city is a major economic and industrial hub in western China, and a popular launchpad for exploring the Yangtze.

Here’s what you should know about Chongqing before visiting and setting sail on your Yangtze river cruise ship.

Chongqing is a great launchpad to explore the Yangtze River.
Chongqing is a great launchpad to explore the Yangtze River.
Chongqing is a mountain city in the heart of China.
Chongqing is nicknamed the “mountain city.” As you drive down its winding roads, you’ll see buildings above you on one side and beneath you on the other. As you can imagine, GPS doesn’t really work here.

Hot
weather in Chongqing

During the
summer, temperatures in Chongqing average 90° F (31° C) and can reach up
to 111° F (44° C). Because the city is surrounded by mountains, heat gets
trapped here, making it incredibly hot and humid in the summer.

Hot
springs in Chongqing

Chongqing
is known for its world-class
hot springs, which are said to be on par with those of Budapest. Many can
be found inside hotels and resorts, as well as spa and massage facilities. Unfortunately,
I couldn’t see them, as my time in Chongqing was too short. Next time, I
would definitely stay in a hot spring resort!

Hot pot
in Chongqing

Chongqing is the de facto capital of hot pot. The
hot pot here is said to be the hottest and spiciest in the world. So much so,
that locals boast that you haven’t truly tried hot pot until you’ve been to
Chongqing. As someone who likes mildly spicy food, I’ve got to say…it was
amazing!

What is
hot pot?

Native to China and East Asia, hot pot is a method of cooking food in hot broth. Hot pot isn’t just a meal, it’s an experience. It requires a group of brave souls who can stomach strange and unfamiliar foods steeped in simmering hot broth. This spicy hot food is best enjoyed when washed down with some light Chinese beer.

Much of the
meats used for hot pot can’t be found commercially in the US or other Western
countries. Some local delicacies in Chongqing include pork brain,
freshwater eel, duck intestines, and beef tripe. To be honest, I was concerned
my insides wouldn’t handle it the next day, but thankfully I was totally fine!

We enjoyed our hot pot inside a World War II air raid shelter. Qinou Zhang did an amazing job explaining each of the foods we tried!

Chongqing hot pot meats
All the hot pot meats were thinly cut, so they cooked quickly in the broth.

When in China, do as the Chinese do!

Chongqing at night

Before departing on your Yangtze river cruise ship, be sure to soak in the city skyline at night.

Once the sun sets, Chongqing’s urban sprawl descends into a magnificent sea of lights. Everything from streetlights and boats to skyscrapers and bridges illuminate — a spectacle that looks like something out of the future.